Holiday Archives - Page 8 of 9 - Two Cans On A String

Easy Potato Bacon Casserole Recipe

by Sharon | Nov 25, 2014

A hearty breakfast is a “must have” on Thanksgiving Day or Christmas Day. Those days when you’ll be waiting for dinner . . . maybe Easter Day, too. I’m not picky — this is a great breakfast casserole you can make any time.

This casserole serves 6

Ingredients:

4 cups frozen shredded hash brown potatoes
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
8 ounces cooked and crumbled bacon
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 can evaporated milk
1 large egg — beaten

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Grease an 8 ounce square baking dish.
Layer 1/2 of the potatoes, 1/2 the chopped onion, 1/2 the crumbled bacon and 1/2 the cheese.
Repeat for the remaining potatoes, onion, bacon and cheese.
Combine the egg and milk in a small bowl.
Pour evenly over potatoes, etc. in the baking dish.
Cover.
Bake in the oven for 55 to 60 minutes.
Uncover. Bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes.
Wait 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

This simple recipe is a real hit with family and friends. Give it a try. Add other ingredients or substitute ingredients. This would work well with left over turkey, ham or whatever left-overs you may have.

Vintage Top Hat Guy In A Stocking

by Sharon | Nov 24, 2014

This image is compliments of http://thegraphicsfairy.com

There are times when you see something you like and you must grab it and put it in a post immediately. I like the Fortune caption. It does seem appropriate for Thanksgiving except for the stocking, but I think it would be an alternative to the ever popular Elf on a Shelf. This is a Top Hat Guy in a Stocking. Think it will catch on? I like the concept of a good luck guy more than a tattle-tale elf, but that’s only my personal opinion.

This guy reminds me of the Monopoly Man, but he’s younger. Now there’s Edgar Bergen’s Charlie McCarthy “dummy” he made popular. Huh? You may be saying. Yes, it was quite a long time ago so I’ll show you a picture:

Do you see the resemblance? Yes? I thought you might. In any event, this Top Hat Guy in a Stocking caught my eye when I was looking for another vintage picture.

See how easy it is to get side-tracked?

I can’t tell you how many vintage pictures I’ve gone through . . . didn’t find the one I was searching for, but this one works better with the story I planned to tell you.

Come back here!

My father’s Uncle Al was a real story teller. He had some great adventures growing up. He was the youngest in his family, so he was always competing with his older brothers and sisters. He decided he was going to supply the Thanksgiving Turkey for the family one year. Well, I have to tell you that Uncle Al’s best intentions sometimes didn’t work out as planned.

You see, he and a friend met a man at the train depot. The boys could always find work for a few dimes around there. I know a few dimes doesn’t seem like much money, but back it those days a dime went a long way.

The man told them that a load of turkeys was coming in and he needed to hire some boys to take them to the various butcher shops in town for him. They were going to get a quarter for their efforts.

In those days the turkeys would be delivered alive and the butcher . . . well, the butcher did what a butcher does to prepare turkeys for his customers to buy and cook for Thanksgiving.

Uncle Al had a big wagon his brothers made for him with tall wooden planks built up on the sides. He was sure he could get a few turkeys in there and be able to earn his quarter, but his friend was able to get a real horse drawn wagon they could use. The only problem was the friend’s father and older brother came along.

Now, Uncle Al was content with his quarter and his wagon, but the friend’s father was haggling over the price. And in the meantime while the men were talking, the older brother let the turkey’s out of their cages.

As you can imagine, turkeys were running all over the place.

The man yelled, “Catch ’em!”

Uncle Al took off pulling his wagon behind him. He was determined to catch a turkey or two. Even if the depot man wouldn’t pay him, maybe the butcher would . . . or at least dress one for their Thanksgiving dinner.

Those turkeys give him a mighty chase. Uncle Al was exhausted. He rested beside his wagon to catch his breath.

From under some bushes on the side of the dirt road, he heard some faint gobbles. He watched. He waited. He slowly got to his feet.

Not one, but two turkeys came at him!

He grabbed one and put it in his wagon and chased after the second one.

The turkey in the wagon was making lots of noise. Uncle Al stopped. The turkey he was chasing stopped. Then the strangest thing happened. The turkey he was chasing came up to the wagon and was trying to get inside. Uncle Al picked it up and went on his way down the dirt road for home with his two turkeys.

All thoughts of a Thanksgiving turkey dinner were forgotten. Those two turkeys lived in the back yard for many years.

Just for the record, Uncle Al did bring home a turkey for Thanksgiving . . .

I hope you enjoyed the story and can appreciate the little Top Hat Guy in the Stocking. I’ll work on figuring out how to make something with him. You may be way ahead of me 🙂

May you have a Happy and Prosperous Thanksgiving!

Roaster Oven For Your Holiday Meal

by Sharon | Nov 18, 2014

Oster CKSTRS23-SB 22-Quart Roaster Oven with Self-Basting Lid — Stainless Steel Finish

I’m always looking for a time saver and I’ve found it with this popular Oster Roaster Oven. This little beauty will roast up to a 26-lb turkey! The lid keeps all the savory juices locked in the steam to keep your bird or other meat juicy and tender. I’m a real fan of this roaster oven.

For the holidays and big parties, this oven keeps the regular oven free for baking other items. It’s a real winner and top seller!

Cinnamon Almonds Recipe

by Sharon | Nov 16, 2014

You’re going to make these Sugar and Cinnamon Almonds in a slow cooker. They take about 3 to 4 hours to cook with stirring every 20 to 30 minutes or so. They are going to smell yummy and so will your whole house. Don’t be surprised to have neighbors wandering over to see what you’re doing.

Are you ready to get started?

Ingredients:

1 cup of Granulated Sugar
1 cup of Brown Sugar
3 tablespoons of Ground Cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon of Salt
1 Egg White
2 teaspoons of Vanilla
3 cups Almonds
1/8 cup of water

Directions:

Get out a large bowl and mix the sugars, cinnamon and salt together.
Get out another bowl and a whisk. You’re going to mix together the egg white and the vanilla until frothy.
Add the almonds and coat them thoroughly with the frothy mixture.
Get out the slow cooker and spray it with cooking spray. This mixture is going to sticky.
Add the cinnamon, sugar and salt mixture to the almonds.
Put it all in the slow cooker and turn it to low.
Stir until the cinnamon sugar mixture is coating the almonds well.
Depending upon your slower cooker, it should cook for about 3 to 4 hours. You’ll want to stir every 20 minutes or so.
After the almonds have cooked for about 2 hours, add 1/8 cup of water into the slow cooker and stir well. This helps the mixture harden and become crunchy.
When your almonds are done, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the coated almonds out to cool. The almonds are going to be sticky so carefully separate them. You don’t want almond clumps, but coated individual almonds.

These are absolutely delicious and make wonderful gifts.

Napkin Folding For Your Next Party

by Sharon | Nov 14, 2014

I like my table looking glamorous, right down to the folded napkins.

I especially like this design and it isn’t that difficult to do.

Get your freshly washed, starched and ironed linen napkins out.
Fold in half, left to right.
Fold in half, bottom to top.
You made a square — so far so good.
Fold the top right layer (you should have 4 layers) down diagonally to the opposite corner. It will make a triangular shape.
Fold down the next right layer and tuck it behind the first one you just made.
Fold down the next right layer and tuck it behind the second one you made.
Congratulate yourself! We’re almost done.
Turn your napkin over fold the right side toward the center about an inch.
Then fold the left side toward the center overlapping the right side about half an inch.
Turn your three pocket napkin over and put in the silverware.
You can follow the illustration with the spoon at the top, knife in the center and the fork at the bottom.

Now, wasn’t that easy and so impressive!

You see, with all the crafts you’ve been doing this was a definite piece of cake!

Thanks for stopping by!

Free Thanksgiving Mickey and Minnie Candy Boxes You Can Make

by Sharon | Nov 12, 2014

Family.Disney.com has the absolute best FREE Templates you can print out for Thanksgiving.

I don’t believe Thanksgiving would be complete without having some hostess gifts for your young guests. It gives me a warm feeling inside that I’ve given something special to prolong the celebration just a bit longer.

These candy box Mickey and Mini Pilgrims are absolutely perfect. You make them by printing them out on card stock, cut them out and assemble them. Then you fill them with something yummy or special trinkets. It’s that special touch, only you can add that makes these Mickey and Mini Candy Boxes so special.

Without further chatter, here are the pictures and the links:

Now isn’t he a handsome fellow with his Pilgrim hat, a pumpkin and his own turkey drumstick!

Click Here for the Free Template

I haven’t forgotten Mini! She does look lovely as a Pilgrim with her special bonnet, apron and a beautiful big smile.

Click Here for Pilgrim Mini Mouse

This handsome couple will definitely brighten up your Thanksgiving decor. I always like to add a bonus or two in my posts to give you something else you can use by printing out on card stock, cutting out and assembling.