Makeover Leftovers

The turkey is not much more than a bunch of bones. Around here, we don't call it good until my granddaughter and I have found the wishbone and make a wish. I think it takes longer to clean up the kitchen than it does to prepare the Thanksgiving meal. But the refrigerator is full of tupperware and foil wrapped leftovers and to be honest, I like the leftovers better than the turkey feast. There are so many opportunities to stretch one's culinary talents.

My mother sent me a new leftover recipe today, and I must say it is well worth repeating. It comes from a talented grandmother and voracious reader not unlike myself. Suzanne Beecher sent this recipe out to her many readers at Dear Reader. Simple and easy - turkey pie.

Use ready made pie crusts to make this even easier but I made my own crust.

Line your pie pan with crust. Add chopped up turkey, stuffing, dice an onion and add leftover vegetables. Cut up the relish tray, or add some frozen vegetables, pour in leftover gravy and cover with the remaining pie crust. Bake in a 400 degree oven until golden brown.

Good eating the day after. That's what a wise grandma would do.

Some New "Stuff" - Gobble Gobble

The holidays are something I always look forward to - as many of us do because we get to spend time with family. At our Thanksgiving dinner, the menu is fairly predictable, as my children, and my grandchildren, have all been molded into being picky eaters. I'm unsure if it's genetic or if I should take some blame, but either way it's very difficult to bring new recipes into the mix.

This year I've decided to mix things up just a little bit, and instead of traditional stuffing I'm making cornbread stuffing. Yes, I know, it's not out there, but trust me, I know my family and how far they're capable of stretching their taste buds - it's not far.

If you're interested in venturing outside your usual cornbread recipe this year, check out this video from Martha Stewart on how to make cornbread stuffing.

Introducing - Wise Grandma

I have been called many names, some nicer than others, but I think my favorite is Grandma.

By way of credentials, I must confess that I did not come by the title of Grandma honestly. I am an instant grandmother. My daughter married a wonderful man with twin boys. These two impish bookends were an unexpected bonus in my life. Although I did not have to go through the hovering, worry, aches and pains and endless waiting that most mothers do with their pregnant daughters, I can’t say that being an instant grandmother was all that easy either.

I jumped right in with both arms. I am convinced now that God gave us two arms just in case we had twins. Mothers and grandmothers with multiple blessings beyond that must be grateful for their feet and toes. There were very few tricks these two could run past me, that I had not invented or had the playbook memorized.

I joyously accepted grandparenthood in overnight fashion. I quickly realized though, that this new role was more than baby-sitting or simply the offering of advice. It is more of a hands on job. Always ready for new challenges, I set the rocking chair aside and set about to find fun ways of engaging these techno savvy children. This grandma has a new bag of tricks.

Lucky for me, I am a quick study. My granddaughter is now the book between the bookends. After spending most of my adult life as a work-at-home mom, I intend to fully relish the new and younger lifestyle of the work-at-home grandma. Young enough to still remember the fun of being a child, yet wise enough to know the limits, and creative enough to mix the two, let’s discover the true fountain of youth, grand-parenting. That’s what a wise grandma would do.