A House and Yard: Thanksgiving Goodness & My First Ever Giveaway!!

*giveaway now closed*

Even though pretty much everyone else is blogging about Christmas right about now

I'm going to show you the new recipes I tried for yesterday's feast.

New Recipe #1

Homemade Stuffing with Bacon and Macadamia Nuts

The recipe was in the Thanksgiving issue of Woman's Day Magazine. It had three variations and I had in mind to try the Bacon and Chestnut variation. One problem....I couldn't find any chestnuts. Then I wondered if they meant water chestnuts, but decided against that and bought macadamia nuts instead.

I used all the fresh veggies and herbs. It smelled wonderful and looked beautiful!

Best of all.....everyone liked it! Even the ones who thought they didn't like stuffing.

Let it be known! I have repented!

I will never again make the popular instant boxed variety of stuffing for Thanksgiving ever again!

New Recipe #2

Maple Pumpkin Pie

I usually make pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving and we eat the entire thing every year. My daughter told me about this recipe she saw on America's Test Kitchen that uses maple syrup and fresh ginger,

so I thought I'd give it a try.

(You might have to log in on their website to view the recipe.)

It was a little labor intensive. There is simmering, a lot of stirring, then forcing the whole thing through a sieve, but the end result was absolutely lovely. Excellent texture. So full of flavor.

Using fresh ginger really makes a difference.

I topped it with real whipped cream that was flavored with vanilla and cinnamon. Yum!

I can't really talk about Christmas, because I haven't done anything about it yet. Since we're moving soon, it's likely the only thing to go up will be a tree. I hope there's a live one with the needles still on it by the 10th!

My day was filled with caring for the animals of friends and family that are out of town and painting at my house. I didn't do Black Friday shopping this morning either. I slept in alittle, then had breakfast with my excellent friend. She is an author and presented me with a special autographed copy of her new devo book,

More Than Just a Pretty Face, by Karen Morerod.

We've been friends for over ~~a billion~~ 25 years and have been through it together.

More Than Just a Pretty Face, based on the life of Queen Esther, is a delightful mix of humor and spiritual truth as only Karen can tell it.

Is this a plug for her book? Yeah. Did she ask me to do it? Nope.

I just wanted to.

And I have a copy to give away!

If you'd like a chance or two or three to win a copy of More Than Just A Pretty Face, by Karen Morerod:

Please become a Follower of A House and Yard. That's one entry.
Leave a comment here. That's two entries!
Share about this giveaway on Facebook, Twitter, or post about it on your blog, then leave another comment here telling me how you shared. That's three entries!

If you enter anonymously remember to leave your email address so I can contact you if you win. The giveaway will be open through Wednesday, November 30 and I'll announce the winner of the random drawing on December 1. Giveaway valid in USA and Canada.

Thanks for stopping in at A House and Yard today!

May your day be merry and bright!