Mushroom and Sausage Stuffing

6 cups toasted bread cubes
3/4 lb sausage
8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
5 stalks celery, diced
1 medium onion
1/2 cup butter
1 (14 ounce) can chicken broth
salt & black pepper
2-3 tablespoons sage

Brown sausage, add ½ butter, celery, onions, and mushrooms. Sauté over low – med heat. Add remainder of butter, and ½ can of chicken broth. Add in a separate bowl, or pan, the breadcrumbs. Season with salt, pepper, and sage. When vegetables are tender, add to breadcrumbs, and mix well, add remaining broth as needed to sufficiently moisten stuffing.

Easy Cranberry Sauce

Ingredients

24 oz. fresh or frozen whole cranberries (washed and picked over)

2 C. sugar

2 C. water

2 whole cinnamon sticks

Directions

Mix sugar and water in a saucepan. Stir to dissolve sugar and add cinnamon sticks. Bring to boil, add cranberries, return to boil, reduce heat. Boil Gently stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes or until the berries begin to pop. Remove from heat. Cool completely at room temperature and refrigerate.

Yield: about 4 1/2 cups

Cranberry Tips:

* When the recipe says "cook until the cranberries pop", don't expect popcorn. This simply means the berry's outer skin will expand until it bursts

* Do not wash cranberries until ready for use, as moisture will cause quicker spoilage.

* When washing, look for bright, plump cranberries and pick out any soft, crushed, or shriveled berries.

* Peak season is September through December.

* Fresh cranberries will keep in the refrigerator for 4-8 weeks.

* You can freeze fresh cranberries for longer storage.

* You can substitute frozen cranberries in most recipes calling for fresh.

Give Me A Grateful Heart, Lord

Give me a grateful heart, Lord,
For each small favor granted.
As years unfold, may I behold
Life, still, through eyes enchanted.
Let me find beauty in all things,
Not be too blind to see
The goodness in my fellowman,
That he would find in me.

Grant that my ears remain attuned
To hear the smallest sigh,
And may I lend a gentle touch,
To those less sure than I.
Let me remember lessons learned,
To profit from the past,
And may I build a bridge of dreams,
That shall forever last.

Let me rejoice in simple things;
I need no wealth to buy
The scent of pine upon the wind,
A burnished copper sky,
Scarlet roses on the fence,
Sunrise through the trees –
Oh, grant that I may not outgrow
Affinity for these!

Give me a grateful heart, Lord;
Let me be satisfied
When days are less than sunny
And plans lie at low tide.
Life is a sweet adventure
That will lead to who knows where,
So, give me a grateful heart, Lord,
That I may always care.

by Grace E. Easley

Free Holiday Hosting Guide

Are you hosting Thanksgiving or Christmas this year and stressing out about it? Download a free Holiday Hosting Guide from Smithfield & Paula Deen here. While there are no guarantees that it'll take your stress away, but maybe you'll learn a thing or two. :-)

I'll Be Home For Christmas

I'm dreamin' tonight of a place I love
Even more then I usually do
And although I know it's a long road back
I promise you


I'll be home for Christmas
You can count on me
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents under the tree
Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love light beams
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams


Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love light beams
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams
If only in my dreams


Watch I'll Be Home For Christmas - Josh Groban on You Tube.

Veteran's Day

A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is braver five minutes longer."-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Golden Corral Restaurants across the nation is offering free dinner to all veterans on Monday, November 16, from 5-9 pm. Call your local Golden Corral to make sure they are offering this fabulous resource!

As we honor the military and their families let us remember that the men and women in the service not only give of themselves, but their families do as well--dealing with the moves, the separations, the uncertainty. As we head into the holiday season some will be without their loved ones as they serve. I encourage you to send a care package to someone serving our country and remember to offer support to your local families. Thank them because Freedom isn't free.

Free Music Download of "Veteran's Day Honor"

Get a FREE download of 12 songs on the album called Veterans Day Honor.