Thanksgiving Leftovers

So there are always left overs and initially I love making the traditional Turkey Sandwich with cream cheese, cranberry sauce, and gravy on homemade rolls.  But after that, left overs get a little old.  So here are a few of my favorite recipes that use Thanksgiving Left Overs.

Here are tons of recipes from Rachel Ray.
Recipes found: here
And another by Rachel Ray found: here


I like that their is more than just Turkey Casserole, where you still feel like it's the same thing.  There's Turkey and Rice recipes, Soups, Enchiladas, etc.

And when I just need something on the fresh side I like,
Turkey Salad with Cranberries found: here



*I also freeze left overs and I like to make stock and freeze it in ice cube trays.  9 ice cubes equals 1 cup.

Key words: Turkey leftovers, Thanksgiving leftovers, Turkey leftovers recipes, Thanksgiving leftovers recipes.

Season Crate

I love this crate...my dad and husband made if for me years ago on a whim and I still use it constantly.
I exchange Christmas tree clippings with berries, pine cones, and candles, for wheat grass and eggs in the spring. Summer I use wheat grass with pails, flags, flowers, and 4th of July decor.  Then in the fall twigs, leaves, gourds and pine cones. Or any other ideas I come up with.

How it was made...
10: 3 ft x 1.5 inch strips of wood.
5: for the base, two for each long side
1: cut into four, 9 inch strips, two for each short side.
Simply Nail together on each short end board.

Fall Decor

Book Pumpkins found: here

Coffee Filter Wreath found: here

Fall Wreath from Coffee Filters

As I was taking this wreath down, I realized I never posted the making of it.
And my photo really washes the color out...and the crazy wind removed a few of my branches and berries, but after the few months on my door, I still love it. 

Plus it was super simple and inexpensive.

Materials:
floral foam wreath
Coffee Filters (300 pack from dollar store)
Tea Bags (about 50, also from dollar store)
Hot glue gun
Ribbon, twigs, berries, etc as desired

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 450' F.  Fill large pot or bowl with hot water and dump in 50 tea bags.  Let sit for 15 min. Then stir and squish them getting the water as dark as possible.
2. Drop in approx. 50 coffee filters.  Separate before putting them in tea. Stir around, add another 50 and repeat.
3. Wring out coffee filters and spread out on cookie sheet.  Place in hot oven to dry. Bake approx. 15 min. or until dry.
4. While they are in the oven, repeat step 2.
5. Continue through all of the filters.
6. Glue a ribbon on foam wreath for hanging purposes.
7. Once dry, pinch center of each coffee filter and glue to wreath.  Place them pretty close together and securely glue them. Don't worry about putting them on the back.
8. After gluing all filters on, glue on ribbon and decorations.

caramel apples

I recently went to a girls night where they made and tasted Caramel and chocolate dipped apples with different candy coatings.  They were amazing.  So we had some friends over and made some ourselves.
Completely easy and really good.

Ingredients:
7 green apples
7 Popsicle sticks
Wax paper, sprayed with Pam
1 bag of Kraft Caramels
1 bag of chocolate chips
1 bag of fun size candy bars, chopped not smashed (shown are Snickers and Butterfingers)

*You can mix up the type of chocolate chips. We did some milk chocolate and some dark.  White chocolate is excellent, but any kind work.  Also, instead of candy bars you can use crushed Oreo cookies, pretzels, etc.  And, a big hit was white chocolate with cinnamon and sugar over it....tasted like apple pie!

Directions:
Wash apples (and take off stickers!)
Insert Popsicle sticks.
Melt caramels in nonstick pan over medium heat. Once fully melted spread over apples with spatula. It doesn't have to be nice and pretty or smooth, because it will all be covered and not seen. Place on GREASED wax paper.  They will stick if not greased! Once all the apples have been coated in caramel, push down any bubbles in the caramel. Melt chocolate chips in microwave.  Heating in increments of 30 seconds, then mix.  Once melted and at frosting consistency, spread over the caramel layer.  Again, it doesn't need to look pretty. Immediately roll and pack with chopped candy bars.

I like to slice them to serve...that way everyone can have some of each flavor.