Weekend Update| November 28, 2011

The old red barn.

How can 4.5 days off fly by like a normal weekend? Life's not fair. We had such a great time in Pennsylvania. We went up to go visit my grandparents on my dad's side and for the first time I got to bring John along. It was the first time he really got to meet any of my family on that side and I had a great time showing him around the place!

My family lives in a small town in Pennsylvania (population 441). They own a large plot of land where they farm Christmas trees, and they have been there so long (generations!) that the road they live on is named after my grandmother's maiden name

I have much more to tell you about my family's farm and a few stories from our family line, but today all we need to worry about is food! What a delicious meal. As you can see, our table was full to the brim! We had all kinds of goodies and it is literally all I ate while I was up there. For two days I ate nothing but Thanksgiving leftovers. I was fat and I was happy. :)


 


I guess one of the more unusual dishes is pictured here. I don't know how many of you have noodles on your table at Thanksgiving, but we do! They buy some kind of homemade noodles there local and when they cook up they are so soft and doughy. They've been serving it on Turkey day as long as I can remember and it's one of those special things I look forward to.

The food wasn't the highlight of my trip though, the people were! I hadn't seen that side of my family in about 10 years! It was so awesome to hang out with my Aunt Dawn and her husband Jim (who I met for the first time!) and with my two cousins, Chris and Brandon. The last time we spent time together I was 15, and we were all just kids. It's so different (and awesome) to spend time as adults, and really talk. I wish I had a few more days to soak it all in....

My Aunt Dawn and I.

I can't wait for our next trip up there. Not only was Thanksgiving a memorable experience, but taking John around the farm and telling stories of my family and our past was more than I could ever ask for. Like I said, I'll be sharing some of that with you this week, as soon as I pretty up those pictures!

Here's a teaser photo- me and one of the Christmas trees on the farm. Yup, I'm a tree-hugger alright!

Question of the Day:

So, what was the best part of YOUR thanksgiving?

Don't forget! If you haven't emailed me your favorite road trip tunes do so now! Totally Awesome Tunes Tuesday is coming tomorrow. :) Email me at culture_connoisseur@yahoo.com!

Thanksgiving- A Reflection

                                                                       Source: designbykelli.com via Kelli on Pinterest

Good morning and happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope you are all huddled up around a table with family this beautiful day and will have many beautiful memories to share come Monday.

We arrived here safely in Pennsylvania and are freezing are buns off! I don't know how you northerners live in these temperatures half of the year! You have got thick blood! We enjoyed breakfast around the table trading stories and John and I just went on a golf cart drive around the Christmas tree farm. I can't wait to share pictures with you all.

These days our culture tends to focus more on the turkey and stuffing and less on the actual meaning of the holiday. So I'm drawn here today to share how thankful I am for the life I've been given, the family I was born to, and for each and every one of you that enrich my life in such a real way. I know that we're only "friends," but I feel like I have gotten to know so many of you and I'm thankful for all of your thoughts and points of view, your input, and your encouragement through this last year. It's the community here that keeps me coming back each day and I'm so thankful for the day I first hit "post" and started on a wonderful journey with all of you.

Happy Thanksgiving, friends! I wish all the best to you and yours.

Love,

Hannah

10 Ways to Keep the Peace This Thanksgiving

                                                                        Source: treasurefield.tumblr.com via Beth on Pinterest

Here we are. On the eve of one of our favorite days of the year. A day full of travel from far and wide, delicious foods tempting our gluttony, and the inevitable volcano that erupts when locked in tight quarters with people you're supposed to love. And you do love them, you just can't live with them, right?

Well, you're in luck today! Because I'm here to share my 10 Ways to Keep the Peace. I hope they bring a smile to your face...and maybe even help you get through the holidays a bit smoother...

Tip #1- Embrace the art of avoidance. Sure, a trained professional would tell you that the quickest way to healing is to "get it all out in the open." These people clearly have not met your family...

Tip #2- Do not, I repeat, DO NOT discuss politics unless you are sure everyone sides with you.

Tip #3-  Keep some candy in your pockets. When those brats you call nephews start to terrorize you in your Lazy Boy candy will be the cure.

Tip#4-  Pass out little bites of turkey every hour or so. The triptopan will act as a sedative. A sedate family is a happy family.

Tip #5- Keep some jokes up your sleeve. When someone at the table lets loose a Freudian slip and the table has gone silent a quick joke will bring everyone back to speed (and effectively activate tip #1).

                                                                                            Source: ks-waiting.blogspot.com via Beth on Pinterest

Tip #6- Keep an open mind. So your brother brought the flavor of the week home to bum some turkey from your table? Instead of giving him a piece of your mind, take some time and get to know her.

Tip #7- Reminisce. When things get awkward, harkening back to the old days will bring everyone back to what matters and remind them that under it all, you're still family.

Tip #8- Alcohol.

Tip #9- Games. You can't get angry when you're having fun.

Tip #10-  In all seriousness...cherish the time you have. You never know if someone could be missing from the table next year. Your time together is valuable. So soak it all up and enjoy the good times and the crazy ones!

Question of the Day:

How do you handle the stress the holidays inevitably bring?

My Top Picks for Thanksgiving Recipes

Good morning blog friends! The countdown is on and we've got two days till Thanksgiving! I'm sure many of you are finalizing your meal plans and cleaning your house in anticipation of your guests arrival. Or, if you are like me, you're packing up your bags in anticipation of cooler climates and a family get-together. Either way, I wanted to share some of my top picks for recipes this Thanksgiving. Not only are these recipes healthy, but they offer a little "BAM!" to mix up a traditional table. Check it out!

Breakfast:

Warm Cranberry Walnut Oatmeal: Click here for recipe.

Oven Baked Blueberry Pancake: Click here for recipe.

                                                                                     Source: chocolateandcarrots.com via Hannah on Pinterest

Vegan Carrot Cake Muffins: Click here for recipe

                                                                               Source: bittersweetblog.wordpress.com via Hannah on Pinterest

Soups/Salads:

Grilled Vegetable and Bean Salad: Click here for recipe.

Zucchini Ribbon Salad: Click here for recipe.

                                                                                Source: prouditaliancook.blogspot.com via Hannah on Pinterest

Kale and Roasted Vegetable Soup: Click here for recipe.

                                                                                 Source: simplyrecipes.com via Hannah on Pinterest

Carrot Apple Ginger Soup: Click here for recipe.

Main Dishes/Veggie Sides:

Vegetable Casserole: Click here for recipe.

Farro, Caramelized Onion, and Wild Mushroom Stuffing: Click here for recipe.

Zucchini Boats with Tomatoes and Basil: Click here for recipe.

                                                                             Source: prouditaliancook.blogspot.com via Hannah on Pinterest

Sauteed Bok Choy: Click here for recipe.

Breads:

Vegan Garlic Rosemary and Chili Cornbread: Click here for recipe.

                                                                                  Source: healthyblenderrecipes.com via Hannah on Pinterest

Artichoke, Roasted Bell Pepper, and Feta Biscuits: Click here for recipe.

                                                                            Source: twopeasandtheirpod.com via Hannah on Pinterest

No Knead Bread: Click here for recipe.

Desserts:

Crustless Cranberry Pie: Click here for recipe.

Pumpkin Pie Brownie Cupcakes: Click here for recipe.

Iced Pumpkin Cookies: Click here for recipes.

Question of the Day:

If you're cooking for Thanksgiving, what is on your meal plan?

My First Thanksgiving

Well, this is my first Thanksgiving as a vegetarian. It isn't, however, my first vegetarian Thanksgiving dinner, as the family I am going to visit in Pennsylvania has absolutely no idea I'm a vegetarian...

I'm banking on the fact that a Thanksgiving table is usually plump with variety, leaving plenty of goodies for yours truly to eat. But when you think about it, the following items also could contain meat- gravy, stuffing, casseroles, green beans, etc. So it's also likely that I could have a plate full of cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, and bread. Not exactly balanced, but you won't find me crying in my cranberries. I'm really just happy to be with family. And there's always opportunity for the glory of a veggie filled table next year.

                                                                                          Source: google.co.za via Andie on Pinterest

The real question is whether or not to let them into my secret. The men in my family are big time hunters, canning up venison and freezing freshly slaughtered birds all year. Something tells me if I "come out" I may not hear the end of it and may end up in a can myself. If I had to guess, the pin above would really sum up their feelings.  ;-)


Coming up this week:
Tuesday: My Top Picks for Thanksgiving Recipes!
Wednesday: 10 Ways to Keep the Peace This Thanksgiving
Thursday: Thanksgiving- A Reflection
Friday: Too. Much. Pie.

A Crafty Christmas

So, you know I promised Indiana pictures this week, right? And I'm sure you have figured out that I've been procrastinating the post this whole week, too. It's another one of those days. Last night, I really did have big plans to finally finish editing and uploading my pictures. But then we started watching a Modern Family episode and that turned into an Office episode followed by laughing over clips of An Idiot Abroad and finishing up with our favorite show- Cheers!

Instead, I wanted to share some interesting craft projects I've found while knocking around on Pinterest. These crafts are perfect for the holidays, and I have plans to bring a few into fruition.

                                                                   Source: thepartystudio.wordpress.com via Hannah on Pinterest

I love these for Christmas goodie bags. Just swap out the tag with a "Merry Christmas!" and you've got yourself a sweet little gift!

                                                              Source: tinyapartmentcrafts.blogspot.com via Hannah on Pinterest

The awesomeness of this ornament really needs no explanation. I've watched all the movies, and am now on book three of the Harry Potter series and I'm thinking of making this ornament as a gift to myself this year. (And maybe a few others for the serious fans I know...)

                                                                        Source: goodhousekeeping.com via Hannah on Pinterest

Here's another sweet ornament idea! I think you could have a lot of fun with this. You can stick with the traditional fabrics, find a pretty sheer golden toole, or even find some funky Dr. Seuss style fabric to bring a little How the Grinch Stole Christmas into your Christmas tree.

                                                                   Source: deliacreates.blogspot.com via Hannah on Pinterest

Here's another great gift idea for people on a budget (like me). It's perfect for that special someone who values going green and who loves shopping for their fruits and veggies! Aren't these fun? I would feel so cool checking out with these bad boys.

                                                              Source: junkgardengirl.blogspot.com via Hannah on Pinterest

Lastly, but certainly not leastly, here's a great idea for a DIY garland. Maybe you're a SERIOUS crafter and, unlike me, you already have miles and miles of mis-matched ribbon laying around. Here's a great way to put it to use and bring some holiday cheer into your home. This is on my to-do list as it's easier to store than fake greenery type garland and is probably a bit cheaper too!

Question of the Day:

When it comes to Christmas presents, do you buy your gifts or make them yourself?

Italian Vegetable Sub Melts

This here's a little creation I made one day when I had a fridge full of vegetables left over for my week and needed a creative way to use them. In the past I have been a huge fan of meatball subs, but of course don't eat them since a) they are bad for me, b) unless you make the meatballs yourself God only knows what you're putting in your mouth, and c) they are bad for me.

I decided to try and make a healthy version of the meatball subs with veggies. "How is a meatball sub anything like a veggie sub?" you may ask. Well, it has bread, tomato sauce, and cheese and in Hannahland that's enough to fool me.

Italian Vegetable Sub Melts
Serves two

1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp garlic, minced
1/2 a medium onion, diced
1/2 a large zucchini, diced
1 yellow squash, diced
1/2 bell pepper of your choice, diced
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
5 mushrooms, diced
salt and pepper to taste
2-3 shakes dried oregano
1-2 shakes parsley
4 tbsp tomato sauce/pizza sauce
2 sub rolls
4 slices provolone cheese

Directions: 
Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and saute for a few minutes. Add the vegetables and seasonings and cook, stirring frequently to lightly brown them.

Set the oven to broil, cut open the sub rolls and place on a cookie sheet. Place in the oven for 2 minutes to toast. Keep an eye that they don't burn.

Take out the rolls and spread each with tomato sauce. Fill with vegetables and cover each with two slices of provolone. Place under the broiler for another 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted and starting to bubble and brown.

Serve immediately!

Question of the Day:

Are there any foods that look good but you refuse to eat because of its contents?

Totally Awesome Tunes Tuesday| Sad Songs

It's time for another Totally Awesome Tunes Tuesday! Last week I asked you to send me your favorite songs to cry to and I was delighted to find my inbox full of good tunes. These songs are all new to me, so I'm so excited that my little plan to music swap is actually working! Check out the sad song picks from this week:

Autumn from Stay Gold, Autumn shared:

November by Azure Ray

Demie from Punctuation Mark shared:

Problem Queen by Danger Mouse and Norah Jones

Amanda from Simple Girl, Simple Pleasures shares:

Keep Breathing by Ingrid Michaelson

World Spins Madly On by The Weepies

This week's Tuesday Tunes topic: "Road Trip Playlist." I want all the tunes you can't drive 5 miles without!

Send me a link to the YouTube video for the song and a picture of the artist and I'll post them here next Tuesday for another music swap day!

Email all entries to culture_connoisseur(at)yahoo.com.