Thanksgiving recipes!

So I have pulled together my Thanksgiving Day recipes! I mentioned last week I'll be sharing a weekly post up until the holiday. I've included all of the saved recipes and my thoughts. I have also pinned them here - under my recipes board.
I loved this table setting guide breakdown. I'll be going with a basic table setting but adding a water glass too. Enjoy!

I'm going to try and brine my turkey this year. Recipe here.

I am a classic stuffing girl. I actually use a recipe out of my Mother's 1970's copy of Better Homes and Garden's cookbook. It's yummy. I add extra butter.

I LOVE sweet potatoes. I thought these sounded like a twist on the traditional holiday veggie.

Again, I keep my squash pretty classic with lots of butter and a little brown sugar.

My Mom bakes the best rolls ever. I should probably learn the recipe. She also always bakes sticky buns. These look similar to her rolls, they are a blend of sweet and salty. Delish! 

I've never added chicken broth when I cook my green beans. This year I'm going to try this simple recipe.

Matty's favorite.

Home made jellied cranberry sauce.  (Recipe below)

I love both red and white wine and feel either work with Turkey and the array of sides. I've included two of my favorites below. I also aways have a bottle of Apothic Red on hand. I should start buying that by the caseload. I swear it is addicting.

Homemade Jellied Spiced Cranberry Sauce

Makes 2 pints

5 cups fresh cranberries
2 cups water
2½ cups sugar
1 large piece of orange rind
6 whole cloves
1 cinnamon stick

Wash and drain cranberries.  Pick through them and discard any that are under ripe or overripe.  Combine the cranberries and water in a large sauce pan.  Boil over medium to medium high heat until the skins burst on the cranberries.  This will take about 5 to 10 minutes, and you will hear the berries popping.

Pour the mixture into the bowl of a large food processor and purée until smooth.

Return the cranberry mixture to the sauce pan.  Place the orange rind studded with the whole cloves and the cinnamon stick into a small piece of cheesecloth tied with twine.  Add the spice bag and the sugar to the sauce pan and return to a boil over medium to medium high heat.  Boil almost to the gelling point (220°F at sea level).  This will take about 15 to 20 minutes.  You can use either a candy thermometer or gelling tests using a spoon or plate.  Refer to Jam and Jelly Basics here.

The mixture will be thick, dark burgundy red, and glossy.  Turn off the heat, remove the spice bag, and ladle the sauce into hot jars, leaving ¼” head space.  Adjust the 2-piece caps, and process 15 minutes in a boiling water canner.

Notes:  The spice bag is optional.  The cranberry sauce tastes great plain, too.  If you use straight-sided jars, you will be able to serve as a mold just like the canned version.  If you do not wish to use the canning method to preserve the cranberry sauce, you may store it in the refrigerator after cooling to room temperature. 

Thoughts on home...Thankgiving

I've decided to host Thanksgiving at my home this year, so I thought it would be fun to share my ideas through a mini-series of posts leading up to the holiday.  I'll be setting a beautiful table and will photograph the details and will share the end results with you right before Thanksgiving. I've been doing a little research, I'm going to use these images to inspire my center piece and table setting ideas. I plan to mix natural elements with china, crystal and candles. I'll be revealing my menu next week!! Enjoy!

The Perfect Holiday!

Some friends from the United States are coming to stay with us over the summer holidays in December and January. Somehow when you have visitors from elsewhere - it makes you look at your own surroundings with fresh eyes. I started thinking about what a fabulous place Cape Town is for a holiday and if you are visiting with US Dollars, Pounds, Euros, in fact most foreign currency, it would be even more fabulous because you would get such fantastic value for your money. Because many of the readers of this blog are from foreign shores, I thought I would do you a favour and find some wonderful accommodation for you if you were clever enough to plan a holiday in my part of the world.

I came across a website called CAPSOL that has a wonderful selection of accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets. I chose a few of the homes from their portfolio that I thought you might like.....



The first from Capsol's portfolio is called Overglen and is situated in Camps Bay along the Atlantic Seaboard. This 4 bedroomed home would be ideal for a family that likes a home away from home feel. It has a beautiful mountain backdrop and wonderful sea views.



It is decorated in such a cheerful and relaxed way that you really feel that you could move in and feel at home right away.



Comfortable furnishings in muted shades with accents of blue are evident throughout the home.









The main bedroom is so tranquil, perfect for morning lie-ins or afternoon naps!



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The second home from Capsol's portfolio is called Bakoven Dream. You might recall a post I did here on another home in Bakoven, which, incidentally, is also in Capsol's portfolio. Bakoven has a small section of beach which is surrounded on either side by rocks and boulders. This secluded little bay is a great place for sunbathing and relaxing in the summer heat.  Imagine enjoying the magnificent sunsets sitting on this deck with a glass of chilled white wine from the Cape Winelands.....perfection!.

This home, right on the water's edge is light, bright and airy with sea views from almost every room.

Imagine waking up to the sounds of the ocean right on your doorstep every morning!

The home is decorated in shades of blue, grey and white which blend perfectly with its natural habitat.

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The final home I'm sharing with you today is in Camps Bay and is called Big Rock Villa. This home is for those who like something a bit more sophisticated. It is very spacious and is perfect for a family who like entertaining on a large scale. Decorated in muted shades, and sumptuous fabrics, the interior invites you to sink into a comfortable sofa with your feet up and a good book or just gazing out at the wonderful views.



The kitchen has an extra long island, perfect for the type of meals where everyone helps to prepare the food or takes a seat to chat to the hostess.



The bedrooms and bathrooms are beautifully cool refuges from the summer heat.

 To find out more about these and many other stunning homes, visit Capsol's website here and get planning your perfect holiday. I guarantee that you won't be disappointed .....  that could be you sitting on that rock below!

I will be back next week with V is for ........ . In the meantime, plan your escape from the Northern Hemisphere winter and head to beautiful Cape Town where I'll be happy to meet you for a sundowner. Cheers!

Till next time.

Sharon x

All images via Capsol, except the 2nd image which is via Cape Town Direct and the last image  which is via National Geographic.