TIP OF THE DAY

Waiting a long time for soccer practice to be over? Always carry a book in your bag. If waiting around for your children is taking too long, read a bit until class or school is over.

ART ACTIVITY: Pine Cone Turkey

You will need:

Pine cone

Craft feathers

Wiggly eyes

Orange pipe cleaner

Yellow Construction paper

glue

Make a turkey head by cutting pipe cleaner in half, then folding it in half. Glue wiggly eyes and a yellow construction paper triangle for a beak. Glue feathers to the back of the pine cone. Glue turkey head to the front. Decorate your Thanksgiving table!

DAILY RECIPE: Meat Turkey Stuffing for Thanksgiving Dinner

3 lb. ground beef
1 lb. ground pork
salt, garlic powder, pepper
3 large potatoes, diced
2 green bell peppers, diced
1 1/2 cups raisins
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
oil

In a large pan heat oil. Season beef and pork and mix together. Add to pan and brown. Add vegetables and raisins and pecans. Cook a few minutes more. (Note: if you want stuffing with a touch of sweetness, cut each raisin in half). Make sure potatoes are still a bit raw when you´re done. They will finish cooking inside the turkey. Stuff turkey.

TIP OF THE DAY

When going to the grocery store to buy milk, grab the one at the far, deep end of the fridge, the last one in line. Usually it has a later expiration date, and is thus, fresher.

STORYTIME: The Turkey That Came for Thanksgiving Dinner -- Final Part

Oh, no! Grandma had seen Mr. Turkey! Mary and Scott did not know what to say. Their parents came to the front door, too. The secret was out. The whole family was now staring at Mr. Turkey! A few awkward seconds of silence passed, then Mr. Turkey cleared its throat: "Thank you, dear family, for receiving me on Thanksgiving Day! I am here for dinner, as I was told on the farm, and very excited to visit with you all." Mom, Dad, Grandma and Grandpa did not speak for a while. Then Grandpa said, "Well, let´s sit down for dinner then, Mr. Turkey." And he called on to Mom, "Serve Mr. Turkey corn and apple pie, yams and cranberry sauce. We can all enjoy that food together." Scott pulled up an extra chair for Mr. Turkey and they all sat at the table. Mom and Dad passed the food around and Mr. Turkey told the funniest stories about life on the farm. Of course, Mom never brought the turkey out of the kitchen, and no one dared ask why they weren´t eating turkey for Thanksgiving Dinner. When everyone was done, Mr. Turkey watched the football game with Dad and Grandpa. Just before dark, Mr. Turkey said he had to leave. He grabbed his bag and hat and headed out the door. "Come back next year Mr. Turkey, " called out Grandma. But it replied, "Oh, no, I´ll try a different family next year. That´s the way it´s gotta be!" So, be ready. If this Thanksgiving you hear a knock at the door, maybe, just maybe Mr. Turkey is standing outside your door....

THE END

DAILY RECIPE: Stuffed Pasta Tomatoes

6 large, firm, red tomatoes

2 cups cooked short pasta

olive oil

2 garlic cloves, chopped

grated parmesan cheese

garlic salt

Slice the top off tomatoes and carefully scoop out the insides. Put the pulp you scooped out in the blender with a little water. Blend well. Heat oil and sauteé garlic. Add pasta and tomato paste. Season with garlic salt. Spoon into tomato shells and top with parmesan cheese. Bake for a few minutes and serve.

TIP OF THE DAY

Make sure your children are getting their share of fruits and vegetables by starting a table. Mark a dot next to their names when they have their daily intake. You´ll both easily notice if they´re not eating properly.

STORYTIME: The Turkey That Came for Thanksgiving Dinner -- Part 3

... Mary and Scott froze. What would they tell Dad? "Oh, hi Dad," said Mary, "we´re just playing a game!" "Yeah," said Scott, "a Thanksgiving game! It´s called ´Hide the Turkey´!" "Well, have fun kids, " said Dad as he walked away. They were safe for now but they had to come up with a plan. What were they going to do? Just then, the turkey flung the door of the room wide open. " Well", it said, "I´m all ready for that delicious dinner now after a good rest. Will we be eating any time soon?" "Yes,"said Mary quickly, "we´re just waiting for our grandparents." Just then the doorbell rang. Mary and Scott flew down the stairs and opened the door. It was Grandma and Grandpa! They all gave each other big hugs. Suddenly, Grandma pointed her finger at something behind them. Her wide eyes and open mouth made Mary and Scott fear the worst, and they were right. Right there, behind them, staring straight into Grandma´s eyes was Mr. Turkey!


(Find what happens to Mr. Turkey, Mary and Scott tomorrow for the ending of Storytime....)

DAILY RECIPE: Orange Breaded Shrimp

1 lb. shrimp
1 cup bread crumbs
Melted butter
salt and pepper
oil
2 oranges
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup soy sauce

Wash shrimp. Add salt and pepper to melted butter and fully coat shrimp. Pass through bread crumbs until well covered. Fry in a little oil until done. Remove excess oil with paper napkin.
Squeeze oranges on top of sugar and place over low heat. Stir constantly and add soy sauce. Cook until thick and drizzle on top of shrimp. Serve with white rice.

TIP OF THE DAY

For shirts that need ironing, try ironing them right after they come out of the washer, when they are still damp. Hang them and let them finish drying.