Lovely Links: Thanksgiving Edition

I love Thanksgiving. But really, who doesn't? It's equivalent to me stating, "Sunsets are beautiful" or "Candy is tasty". Who won't agree that getting together with people you love, eating a lot of food (especially when that feast ends with pie), and lounging around and visiting is a pretty great way to spend a holiday? It's satisfying. It's American. It's awesome.

Next week, I'll be doing a couple Thanksgiving-themed posts (mostly to do with the turkey), but I thought I'd get a jump on things and include a few related links for this Friday's edition of Lovely Links.

Homemade Roasted Pumpkin Puree - Make and Takes
I've never even heard of this blog until today, when I got an email of links from Simple Kids. I was excited to see this post - I've been so curious lately on how to make my own pumpkin puree. I was planning on using my garden-grown pumpkins and post the results of my experiment on here, but, as I researched, I learned that you need to use sugar or pie pumpkins (which fact the author also mentions in this post). I grew the wrong ones for puree. Next year, I'm going to be all over this one. By the way, did you know that there is a pumpkin shortage going on? I read all about it the other day - I guess the rainy fall did a number to Libby's pumpkin crops. If you're a pumpkin-lover, I'd suggest buying some sugar pumpkins to make your own or a few cans of the orange stuff now...

Basic Pie Dough - Everyday Food
A couple Thanksgivings ago, I was in charge of making the pumpkin pies. I'd like to think I'm a pretty competent baker, but there's something about making pie crusts that I hate. They stress me out. That Thanksgiving, I broke my favorite pie dish because I got so mad at my crusts. They kept breaking and crumbling. In frustration, I slammed my cute, red ceramic pie plate too hard on the countertop and it cracked in half. I ended up driving to the nearest grocery store, in tears (yes, in tears over pie crust), waving the proverbial white flag, and buying the pre-made ones that come in a box. Why share all this? This pie crust recipe works. And I haven't broken any more pie dishes since I started using it.

The Meal That Keeps on Giving - Wondertime
First of all, as I've mentioned previously on this blog, I always get sad when I reference my favorite, now-defunct magazine, Wondertime. It was awesome (thanks a lot, stupid recession). Anyway, I thought this article had a lot of great insights and ideas about Thanksgiving leftovers. And not just turkey sandwiches (as good as those are). Lots of great tips and recipe links. Also, while you're at Wondertime, you should check out this pie. I made it last year for Thanksgiving. It was a pain in the butt to make, but I thought it was really good. I'm not sure if I'm up to making it this year, but who knows.

Quiz: Which Thanksgiving Side Dish are You?
I know, I know. You're probably thinking: what kinds of insights could I possibly glean from a quiz? Well, if all those Seventeen magazines I read in high school taught me anything, PLENTY. For example, this quiz taught me that I'm 'Mashed Potatoes and Gravy". Old-fashioned and proud of it. Deep, thought-provoking self-discovery awaits you at this link.

Video: In the Spirit of Thanksgiving
I just found this video today. It made me happy.

"Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others." - Cicero