Laina Turner's Blog, page 44

Fab 5 Friday – Favorite Thanksgiving Day Traditions

Yesterday we celebrated Thanksgiving. What does a typical day of giving thanks look like in your house? Here are a few of our favorite family traditions.

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Did you watch the parade?! Is it something that you and kiddos do every year or are you more of the “seen it once, no need to repeat it every year” kinda person?

Cinnamon Rolls

In my humble opinion, the only breakfast worthy to be considered the proper start for Thanksgiving day. {Even if you do just bust out the pre-packaged ones… those are still considered cinnamon rolls!}

Turkey on the Table

I have a confession. I am a very traditional gal when it comes to what is on my Thanksgiving menu. Turkey is the meat of choice in our house for the day many refer to as “Turkey Day”.

Family Game after Dinner

Do you do anything to relax after dinner and cleaning up? We like to play a game with the kiddos!

Favorite Pumpkin Cake Roll Recipe

Of course, many opt for the traditional slice of pumpkin pie… but I am not picky. As long as it as the word pumpkin in the dessert, I am good with finishing off the day of giving thanks with really any type of pumpkin dessert.

Happy {day after} Thanksgiving to you and yours, however you celebrated this year!

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Lessons From my Daughter

Today I’m going to get personal. I’m going to talk about being a mom, the guilt that can often go along with that job, but more importantly, precious moments.

If you’re like me, you need a hit of caffeine in the morning before you’re ready to face the world. I like nothing more than sitting for a few minutes when I first get up, quietly and alone, with my cup of coffee and my own thoughts. Whether it’s contemplative or planning out my morning, I just need that tiny bit of me time. To have a moment or two before I have to hit the ground running for the long day I normally have ahead of me.

My daughter, who’s 9, is truly a delight to me. She is one of the most amazing people I know, and I’m not just saying that because she’s my daughter, but she often asks me to wake her up early so WE can sit and have coffee together (decaf and 2 scoops of sugar for her). Which totally infringes on my quiet time.

This means her waking up an hour or so before she has to get up for school, which seems so odd to me when I have to drag my son out of bed in the morning. I mean who wants to get up early when they don’t have too?

She even wakes me up early on the weekends, the days I like to sleep in, so we can spend time together. She always wants to sit with me when I am doing work, and on all those occasions she talks to me incessantly even though she usually promises she won’t bother me (if I’m working). She will often say, “lLet’s just talk mom. What do you want to talk about?” Sometimes it’s enough to make me want to scream. You moms know what I’m talking about. We love our kids, but sometimes we just need a break. I feel selfish when I find myself not wanting to wake her up because I don’t want to give up my alone time.

What I remind myself, when I find myself getting annoyed or thinking I just don’t have time to listen, is how lucky I am to have a daughter who wants to spend so much time with me. Who loves me so much and isn’t afraid to show it. I don’t ever remember asking my mom to wake me up early so we could spend time together. I was one of the kids who just wanted to sleep.

At some point my daughter won’t want to spend every waking moment with me. She’ll want to spend time with her friends and before I know it she will graduate from high school, go to college, fall in love, get married, start a family, and the whole cycle of life will start over again.

I won’t ever be able to get these precious moment back and though sometimes it’s hard to just stop and smell the roses, it’s important to take all the moments with our children possible. Before those moments are gone.

 

 

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Tasty Sausage Alfredo

Yeah, I said sausage. And before you think it sounds weird, (as I did at first) let me just tell you it was absolutely amazing.

I didn’t invent it, we all know I am a remedial cook at best, but I do like to read magazines and rip out pages of things I want to try.

Some work and some don’t. This one…worked.

I was quite impressed with myself because I always make Alfredo sauce from a jar. This recipe had me make it from scratch and honestly, it was the best part. That and the fact it was so easy.

I bought a pound of Hillshire Farms mild sausages. If I didn’t have the kids to think about I would have bought the hot kind. You know I love spicy things.

I sliced and cooked the sausage, and . While they were cooking, I started the noodles. I used linguine but you can use anything.

Once the sausage was cooked, I added the cream, garlic and Cajun seasoning and brought it all to a boil.

I reduced the heat to medium and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. When the mixture thickened to my liking I added the cheese; Sartori Parmesan, of course. As if there’s anything else.

I stirred the sauce thoroughly, poured it over the pasta, and of course added more cheese (you can never have too much cheese.)

The family love it and when it comes to my cooking that says a lot!

Thanks Hillshire Farms for your super delicious recipe!

 

 

Tasty Sausage Alfredo 2015-11-18 17:17:00 A super yummy alternative to chicken alfredo.






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Save Recipe Print Ingredients 1 lb Hillshire Farm sausage (mild or spicy) 8 oz pasta 2 cups heavy cream 2 tsp cajun seasoning. 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions Slice and fry sausage, set to the side. Start cooking the pasta when done set aside to drain. Mix cream and seasoning. Bring to a boil and lower temp to simmer. After the sauce thickens add 1/2 cup of the parmesan cheese. Once the sauce gets to the right consistency add sausage and serve.
By HIllshire Farms Laina Turner http://www.lainaturner.com/

 

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Happy Thanksgiving to Me

When I was a kid Thanksgiving was an amazing family event. I was an only child of an only child, and my dad was the youngest by 10 years with the majority of his family in another state but both sets of grandparents lived in my area, and I couldn’t have asked for better people in my life.

Thanksgiving would usually be at our house and both my grandmothers (who were kick-ass cooks, my mom not so much) would come over early and cook up a storm. I have so many fond memories from holidays growing up.

Well, unfortunately, things change. Until I started writing his blog post I didn’t really think about why, crazy since I am in my 40’s, I just never thought about it before. But death is what changed things. The family got smaller and smaller until it was just my parents and I. I was in my early 20’s and doing my own thing, and my parents started having Thanksgiving with their friends.

When I got married, we rotated the holiday between families for a couple years and then my mom died and my dad moved, and we moved to a different state and the holiday changed again.

Since I’ve been divorced my kids have spent every Thanksgiving with their dad. This has been the best time of year for them to visit their 2 uncles who live in a different state. So I’ve fully supported them going to be with extended family rather than just being with me. Since I’ve gotten engaged my stance hasn’t chance. Thanksgiving is Matt’s big family holiday, and his mom, aunts, and uncles, and brother are amazing but due to circumstances beyond my control it’s not my family, and while disappointing, I’ve made my peace with it.

Saturday I cooked my first full Thanksgiving dinner for Matt, the kids, and the people in my life who ARE my family. They may not be blood-related, but they are the people who I count on and who I know love me for me. I had one of the best days/nights ever. I cooked up a storm and was able to stuff myself silly with good food and good friends.

I hope you all have the same amazing time on Thanksgiving as I did.

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Fab 5 Friday – Favorite Thanksgiving Printables

Fall subway art

One of my favorite things about fall is having an entire day to spend with family and friends… and to stop and reflect on our lives and to simply be grateful for what we have been given.

Thanksgiving Chalkboard Printable

Thanksgiving is truly a time to give thanks. A time to count our blessings, for which we have many of!

Gooble Til You Wobble

Do you eat until you are stuffed like Tom the Turkey? Or do you just indulge a little bit? Either way, love me some Thanksgiving dinner!

Thanksgiving Printable

Taking time to spend with loved one and sharing a slice of pie {which, of course, is topped with an extra generous dollop of whipped cream!}

Thanksgiving Mad Libs

An easy and quick way to add some entertainment to the table. Let the kiddos take center stage on this one!

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I Need An Entourage

After much thinking, I’ve decided I need an entourage. Entourage defined is: a group of people who go with and assist an important person. Ok, fine. I realize I’m not really an important person (except in my own mind) but as a blogger/author/all around fabulous person, I have come to realize I can’t do this alone.

Why you ask?

It’s really about the pictures. Blog readers these days want amazing pictures as well as interesting things to read. My main downfall as a blogger is photography. I’ve just never been good at it. Everything I snap is just a bit blurry, 2 seconds to late to capture what I wanted, or a finger over the lens type snafu. Trust me back in the days where you had to pay to develop film I wasted a lot of money developing 24 pictures when only 2 actually turned out.

This year one of the goals for my blogging adventures was to take more pictures. Has it happened…eh…not really. Not because I don’t want to but because it never seems to work out for the reasons listed below.

On the days my hair is done and I feel I look good enough to be photographed there isn’t anyone available to help me.
 On days I have someone willing to takes pictures my hair looks like crap or I’m not wearing any make-up.
 By the time I realize I need a photograph of something it’s getting dark and the lighting just won’t work.
 I go to the place where I want to snap some pics and have forgotten the product I needed pics of.
 If I had an entourage of say a photographer, hair stylist, make up artist, and someone with a good memory those issues wouldn’t come up and the photography pain I’m feeling would go away.

Is that too much to ask?

Who would you have in your entourage?

 

{photo credit: unsplash}

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Snuggle up with a cozy mystery

Grabbing the wonderful opportunity to buy the now failing retail boutique, Silk, which she used to work at, Presley thinks she finally about to embark on her new career. This is her chance to make her mark on the world.

The excitement is short lived when on the first day of business ownership store manager, Roxanne, is arrested for murdering her boyfriend. Roxanne insists she’s innocent and asks for Presley’s help. Presley believes her and tries to help all while getting the boutique up and running. Things there aren’t going too smoothly as Presley finds out someone has been ordering merchandise using company funds, but none of it can be found in the store. Who is stealing from Silk? Did she make a mistake in taking this on? And what’s the real story with Roxanne? Has Presley been too trusting?

Purchase for Kindle today!

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Fab 5 Friday – Favorite Turkey Tips and Recipes

Caveman Pops (aka Roasted Turkey Legs)

Because when you get to brine your turkey with brown sugar and regular sugar, that is a WIN in my book!

How Long to Cook a Turkey, in One Easy Chart

“You have your bird (and a recipe), but how long, exactly, are you supposed to cook it? Here’s a handy guide.”

How to Cook a Turkey

“Whether you’re roasting, grilling, or deep-frying a turkey for your next special occasion, we have all the tips and tricks you need to tackle your bird with confidence. There’s no need to be intimidated by the task when you follow Betty’s guide to cooking a succulent, satisfying turkey every time.”

How To Deep Fry A Turkey 3 Ways

Do you deep fry? Ever tried it?! Just make sure to stay away from your house…”If you want real entertainment go to Youtube and enter in “Deep Frying T….,” you’ll get about that far and you’ll have Deep Frying Turkey Explosions as an option. Lots of good pointers on what not to do.”

Apple Cider Glazed Turkey Breast

“Thanksgiving is on approach so, let’s talk turkey. (See what I did there?) Turkey is the center of almost every Thanksgiving table. But, not every table needs a whole turkey. A turkey breast is a great way to feed a small family or group of guest this holiday season.”

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The Ultimate Designer Giveaway

Today through November 27th, a  group of bloggers and I have teamed up to bring you a fabulous giveaway you can’t resist! We’re giving one precious follower a gift package consisting of a gold Ipad Mini, authentic Tory Burch tall boots, a luxury Coach handbag and scarf, all valued at approximately $1,815 (before taxes! By following as many bloggers as you want on the Gleam widget below, you will have better chances of winning! There are 125 ways to enter. Good luck lovelies!

The Ultimate Designer Giveaway

 

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Having a Positive Body Image

As a woman, I’ve struggled with body image at various times over the years. I would be surprised to meet someone of either sex who hasn’t. We’re human and even though it IS what’s on the inside that matters it’s normal to think (obsess) about what’s on the outside as well.

I’d love to be 5’8” and 120 lbs, a 34 – 24 – 34, with long flowing hair that always looks amazing, and no wrinkles or cellulite.

Who wouldn’t?

But that’s not my body and never will be. I know I’m beautiful in many ways even if I don’t meet that “perfect image” I have in my head.

As a parent, I try to instill in my daughter that we all come in different shapes and sizes, and it’s about eating healthy and exercising as a routine. I’m almost 45 and I have to eat healthily and exercise (most the time), or I will gain weight by looking at a cupcake. My body isn’t what it was 10 years ago metabolism wise, and as I get older, I want to be able to do yoga and run 5k’s. I can’t do that by being a couch potato now. Being healthy isn’t dieting. It’s not going to the extreme on any spectrum.

However, it’s the other kids she comes in contact with that talk about dieting and being fat not to mention the stuff she sees on TV and the internet that is making her more aware and in some ways hyper-sensitive about her body. She’s active, plays hard, and not sitting in her room all day watching Netflix or playing video games. To me, that’s what’s important. It will hopefully encourage her to be more active as she gets to me my age.

It can be a hard thing to convince myself at times how awesome I am much less to make sure my child knows this. But everyone is beautiful, and there shouldn’t be a cookie-cutter ideal.

So I challenge you today to look at yourself and the people around you and tell them just how beautiful they are.

Let’s all be grateful for our fabulousness.

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