Thanksgiving Out of a Can
I was interviewed yesterday on The Recipe Box about National Tie One On Day. During the show, the host, Barbara Howard, read an email from a listener that basically said, I don't cook, I open cans, which I think was her excuse for not participating in NTOOD. "You'll have to do better," I answered, "because when it came to opening a can and calling it cooking, my mother was the champ."And no meal lent itself more to Mama's can cuisine than Thanksgiving. The green bean casserole? 1 can condensed mushroom soup + 1 can drained green

National Tie One On Day Packaging To Go
With National Tie One On Day almost at the doorstep, I wanted to share upclose a few ideas for easy baked goods and even easier packaging. This photo is from my girlfriend gathering - such a jumble, I labeled things to make it easier viewing. Or tried to, anyway. The text is a little small - what you're looking at is a spread of old Jell-o molds, cups, plates and jars. And in the back, a fabric covered bake bean can. The baked goods include egg nog cookies, mini pound cakes and little muffins. In the lower right is an egg holder that I filled with candied ginger slices. Emptied,

National Tie One On Day Extra Giveaway Goodies!
When I posted the photo of the sponsors' contributions to the Giveaway Goodie Bags, the two aprons from Aunt Martha's Transfers_Colonial Patterns, Inc. were folded and couldn't be seen. Sewn from vintage reproduction toweling, both the bib and waist designs have a center pocket, edged with wide rick rack and an old button closure.

National Tie One On Day Girlfriend Gathering
Forever and a day, I've been meaning to make the introduction of three particular women friends to one another. But it wasn't until I was baking batches of sweets and quick breads for my National Tie One On Day deliveries that I was struck with the genius notion of inviting them over for a Tie One On Day girlfriend gathering/goodie packaging/social hour. The quickie invite for an early afternoon tea repast included tying one on...an apron, of course!

Naked Tabletop No Need for Tailspin
Setting a festive table can be the most, or least, enjoyable part of hosting the Thanksgiving gathering. Some hostesses see the dining table as a blank canvas awaiting heirlooms of Damask, polished silver, sparkling crystal and china, while an expanse of naked tabletop puts others into a tailspin of anxiety. For the nervous or uninspired, there are magazines galore with step-by-step how to's, covering every nuance from the under cloth to floral height and placecard placement. Rarely, however, do these picture-perfect tablescapes include decorations made by children, an overlooked, creative force right under ou