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Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Over the River and Through the Woods...

I always sing that little song when I drive to New Carlisle, Ohio to the Amish Turkey Farm two days before Thanksgiving. Not sure why as it really has nothing to do with going to a turkey farm. ha. The trip has become a little tradition that I really enjoy. If you live in Ohio, you should visit Bowman and Landes. They are the best.
  1. Today was pouring rain, foggy and just plain gross. It is the weekly curse of mine that this kind of weather always lands on the day I go to the grocery and run errands. Sigh.
  2. Heading out to the turkey farm, I did get to pass one of my favorite barns.
  3. This place is really busy during the holidays. They even have men helping you park and directing traffic. He looks grouchy, doesn't he? He actually was nice and smiled but I'm sure the rain was an inconvenience. I was glad I wore my raincoat with the hood today!
  4. A look at some customers coming out. I spent a few extra minutes inside, enjoying looking at all the yummy Amish goodies. Along with the turkey, I bought some extra turkey broth, a loaf of cinnamon bread to eat for breakfast on Thursday, and some yummy homemade cheeses. We had Garlic Herb Yogurt Cheese melted on our grilled burgers for dinner tonight. Yum.
  5. The bird. 12 lbs is more than enough for us, plus a few packages to put in the freezer. How do you roast your turkey? I usually stuff it lightly with onions, garlic and salt. Coat the skin with butter, salt and pepper and place it in one of those clear turkey roasting bags. This year I am going to roast it breast side down which is supposed to let all the juices settle in the breast meat, making it extra juicy. I'll let you know how it turns out!
  6. Taylor left today with girlfriend Lauren for her home in Pennsylvania. First holiday ever without my firstborn! I sent him with a hostess gift ~ an amber glass bowl full of my chewy ginger cookies. I'm going to miss him!
  7. Yesterday I baked and decorated this 6 layer cake for a friend who's daughter is having a birthday party tonight. They picked up the cake this evening on their way to the party. Happy Birthday, Abby!
  8. And finally, the rain let up and there was a beautiful sunset!

I also did the grocery shopping, stopped by work to have a staff photo for the auction Christmas card, gave Taylor a haircut, chatted on the phone with a dear friend, did 4 loads of laundry and made dinner.

I'm pooped. haha.

Hope you have had a wonderful day!

53 comments:

  1. Whew! You are one busy Thanksgiving chick! No cooking here this year. A group of family members are meeting at a local restaurant. I already kind of miss getting everything ready. I would love to visit that turkey farm.

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  2. Looks like fun. I happen to like the rain.

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  3. Betsy about the turkey I used the same things that you say only I love to add some orange juice over the turkey (when is ready to oven)
    The orange juice give a lovely colour to the turkey and I add some jinger too, but not all love ginger.
    Here a lot of people eat roasted turkey for Christmas:)
    Your cookies sounds wonderful:)

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  4. oh man....first holiday without him...i feel for you betsy...just a taste of the future? yikes....we had the thickest fog all day...eerie really...

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  5. ANd i love when is raining Betsy I missed the rain I born in a place where rain a lot but here in Santiago is differente, also we are in spring/summer:)

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  6. Farmchick ~ it's a fun place to go. If the weather is nice, you can hear the turkeys out in the fields. Always makes me laugh and I wonder what they are saying. Something like "We're alive...at least today!" ha.

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  7. Silver ~ I like the rain...but better if I'm home and looking out at it! :)

    Gloria ~ wish I could send you some of our rain! :)

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  8. Brian ~ I know! My baby! He's like an only child in some ways. It was a little hard to let him go. You know it's going to happen eventually. Sigh.

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  9. Gloria ~ I'm going to try that orange juice...that sounds really good!

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  10. wow wow wow, busy busy , how exciting for your son, dinner at his girl friends.I think your dinner will be wonderful occasion, Happy thanksgiving.

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  11. I did some shopping too lol
    I usually do turkey like you do and put some water inside so it steams from the inside.Sometimes I stuff it with stuffing since my sons' been asking.I also get a few more legs as legs are popular here.lol
    A new way is to cut it in half through the back bone, take out the breast bone to lay it flat so it cooks/steams faster and to lift the skin and stuff it with the seasonings of your choice.
    Once it is cooked you could turn it upside down and stuff it with stuffing and then turn it all right side up so you have a good looking turkey which just slices so nicely without all the bone work.

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  12. laurie ~ not just dinner...almost a week away!

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  13. Never ever cooked a turkey what so ever
    So that question can't be answered by the cat who is so clever..haha
    I looked all over for the what I Did Wednesday moniker too
    I know it's Tuesday but geesh look at all the things you had to do

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  14. @Pat: Maybe I confused you by posting my Comical Wednesday post today?

    Also, if you ever decide to cook a turkey, I highly recommend Popcorn Stuffing. Stuff the turkey as full as possible with un-popped popcorn, crank the oven up to about 500 degrees, and then wait until the popcorn pops and blows the turkey's butt off!

    Fun for the entire family.

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  15. You've been working like a whirlwind, Betsy!! That cake is gorgeous! The first holiday without one of the chicks is hard... as best I can tell, it doesn't get any better YEARS down the road. {hugs}

    I usually stuff mine with chopped apple, onion, celery, and rosemary. I'll be interested to hear your take on the breast side down method. blessings ~ tanna

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  16. hahaha oh I may just have to do that
    Would scare the crap out of the cat
    And yeah we'll blame it on you
    For Mr. Terrific and his one day early view

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  17. @Pat: If I know you, you'll blame the turkey on me, too!

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  18. Whewie! You are one productive woman for sure. Sounds like a fun time - I see pictures of barns like the one in the picture often myself. Trust you and yours enjoy a blessed and happy THANKS-LIVING! How very sweet of you to send cookies with Taylor.

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  19. Greetings from France Betsy...
    Enjoy your day !

    Pierre

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  20. it will just be the two of us for dinner this year...oh, and a 12lb turkey! I'm thinking there might be leftovers, ha!
    Have a wonderful and Happy Thanksgiving.

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  21. Hi Betsy .. you live life to the full .. but sounds as though Taylor's disappearance across country for his girlfriend's Thanksgiving en famille will be gone in a flash with all you do .. loved the pictures and story line - Have a wonderful time tomorrow now! Cheers Hilary

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  22. Ha I know exactly where you are. I've seen that barn a million times and drove passed Bowmans turkey farm. My plan this year was to go and take pictures of all the white turkeys in the fields but never made it. On Thursday I will be going over the rivers and through the woods to New Carlisle my mom lives there. That first holiday without one of your children is the hardest. For me they were in Iraq and Kuwait shed a lot of tears that year. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

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  23. Busy bee you are.Im thinking that those cookies sound to good you made.I love gingersnaps so they are the next best thing.

    Wishing you and your family a beautiful and blessed Thanksgiving Day!

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  24. Did you bake that cake, wow, it looks incredible.;)
    It has been foggy and rainy here for over 10 days. Very depressive.
    Happy Thanksgiving preparations.;)
    xoxo

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  25. Do you mail cakes Betsy? I wish I could pay you to make all the birthday cakes for my boys. I hate doing it. :( Hope your turkey turns out delectable. Oh and ignore Silver, and DON'T stuff it with popcorn. Where does he come up with this stuff? :P

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  26. BUSY! And, I am a little sad you are without Taylor for turkey day! I KNOW I am going to be sad when my five are gone on holidays! We will be feasting next door! Abby's cake looks wonderful and she is such a sweet girl!

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  27. Thanks Betsy try the orange juice and how was :)

    I miss the rain here is so hot today:)

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  28. Lady ~ that is very interesting. I bet your turkey looks a little funny with extra legs like a spider! ha. It does sound tasty though!

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  29. Oh Suan ~ I think I can take Pennsylvania better than Iraq! He arrived safe, so we're all good.
    A photo of those turkeys would be so great! It was pouring yesterday so I'm sure they weren't out gobbling. ha.

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  30. Pat ~ ha I know...seemed like a Wednesday post!

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  31. Rebecca ~ don't worry...I just cleaned my oven. Not stuffing the turkey with popcorn. ha.

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  32. Silver and Pat ~ gee, you guys were having fun in blogland, weren't you! Just can't leave you guys alone for a second! ha.

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  33. Wish I had just a tut of your energy girl. Guess I did at one time. Enjoy your family holiday.
    QMM

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  34. What a lovely birthday cake! Happy Thanksgiving to you, Betsy.

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  35. Happy Thanksgiving to Midwestern Girl Looking On The Bright Side!!!

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  36. My mom always roasted the turkey breast side down as she thought it was juicier. I just know it was always good. Great looking birthday cake! Have a great Thanksgiving!

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  37. Yep the turkey will get blamed on the Fox
    And see we can amuse ourselves when your away, maybe you need some blog locks..haha

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  38. I knew it!

    Hey, if you thought the Popcorn Stuffing was bad, I have a method to make the turkey jump up against the top of the oven so people will think you put it in alive!

    And I hope those "blog locks" aren't braidable locks of back hair!

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  39. If the Cat is anything like Tiger, locks are no problem. ha.

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  40. And I don't even need my cat to help me pick a lock...

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  41. Your days are FULL!
    Colorful and FULL!

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  42. Betsy to make the turkey believe in me no these guys:)

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  43. Good idea, Gloria! We girls need to stick together! ha.

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  44. yeah so very true
    Orlin will pick the lock and prob eat it too

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  45. Pat Orlin is special and interesting cat but I dont think he cook:)

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  46. If you two ladies wanna stick together, there's always Super Glue...

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  47. Oh how I wish I could accomplish as much as you do in a day!

    This year we are having a fried turkey with Cajun seasoning. My SIL is bringing it....never had a fried one or one with Cajun flavoring, but what the heck...I'm game!

    Sorry about Taylor being away. My youngest has to work which makes me sad too.

    Happy Thanksgiving to you!

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  48. Greetings From Southern California

    Wow! You are one busy lady! I need a nap after reading you schedule :-)

    Thanks for your recent visit to My Blog

    Take care and have a nice Thanksgiving :-)

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  49. The cake is wonderful. Great job! Yes it is hard to let them leave the nest. I remember those days so well.

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  50. Betsy, I always use the cooking bag too..so I am glad I am not the only one. It is good that way cooks faster and less mess..haven't baked it breast side down before though.
    Happy Thanksgiving to you and your Five Men..well minus one who will be in Penn. Awwww.

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