Celebrations – Lubbocks Home and Family Magazine https://lubbockshomeandfamily.com Wed, 10 Jan 2024 22:31:50 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://lubbockshomeandfamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/cropped-favicon-512x512-1-32x32.jpg Celebrations – Lubbocks Home and Family Magazine https://lubbockshomeandfamily.com 32 32 Thanksgiving https://lubbockshomeandfamily.com/thanksgiving/ Wed, 10 Jan 2024 23:21:00 +0000 https://lubbockshomeandfamily.com/?p=6924

Thanksgiving

Harper Johnson

Thanksgiving is a time for families and friends to come together, express gratitude, and enjoy a festive meal. Here are some common Thanksgiving traditions that people often partake in:

  • Feast: The centerpiece of Thanksgiving is a large, hearty meal that typically includes a roasted turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, vegetables, and various side dishes. Pumpkin pie and other desserts are often enjoyed as well.
  • Turkey Pardon: In the United States, it has become a tradition for the President to pardon a live turkey, sparing it from being part of the Thanksgiving meal. This lighthearted gesture is followed by the presentation of the National Thanksgiving Turkey to the President.
  • Family Gathering: Many people travel to spend Thanksgiving with family members. It’s a time to reconnect, share stories, and enjoy each other’s company.
  • Thanksgiving Parade: Watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City is a longstanding tradition for many families. The parade features floats, giant balloons, marching bands, and performances.
  • Gratitude: Before the meal, it’s common for everyone to go around the table and share something they are thankful for. This is a moment of reflection and appreciation.
  • Volunteer Work: Some families and individuals choose to spend part of their Thanksgiving volunteering at soup kitchens, shelters, or other community service activities to help those in need.
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  • Football: Watching football games, whether at home or in person, is a cherished tradition for many on Thanksgiving Day.
  • Black Friday Shopping: The day after Thanksgiving, known as Black Friday, has become synonymous with shopping deals and discounts, prompting some people to participate in early-morning or late-night shopping trips.
  • Cooking and Baking: Preparing traditional family recipes and sharing the responsibility of cooking and baking with loved ones is a cherished Thanksgiving tradition.
  • Friendsgiving: In addition to celebrating with family, some individuals also host “Friendsgiving” gatherings with their close friends. These gatherings often involve a potluck-style meal.
  • Decorations: Decorating the house with autumn-themed decor, such as pumpkins, leaves, and candles, adds to the festive atmosphere.
  • Outdoor Activities: Depending on the weather, some families might engage in outdoor activities like hikes, nature walks, or touch football games.
  • Thanksgiving Crafts: Children and adults alike might participate in Thanksgiving-themed crafts and activities, creating place cards, centerpieces, or other decorations.
  • Watching Movies: After the meal, some families enjoy watching movies together, either classic Thanksgiving-themed films or other family favorites.
  • Leftovers: After the feast, leftovers are often enjoyed for days. Some people even look forward to the creative meals they can make from the leftovers.

These traditions vary from family to family and region to region, but they all contribute to the warm and festive spirit of Thanksgiving.

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]]> New Years Recipes https://lubbockshomeandfamily.com/new-years-recipes/ Wed, 10 Jan 2024 22:34:00 +0000 https://lubbockshomeandfamily.com/?p=6877

New Years Recipes

Coco Dietz

Chocolate Pizza:

8 oz White Chocolate, divided

8 oz Semisweet Chocolate chips 

½ Cup each: 

Salted Peanuts 

Mini Marshmallows

Crispy Rice Cereal 

Coconut

Red Candied Cherries 

Green Candied Cherries 

In a heavy saucepan or in the top of a double boiler, melt 6 oz white chocolate and all the chocolate chips. Stir in peanuts, marshmallows, and cereal. Pour onto a greased 10” pizza pan. Spread to even out top.Sprinkle with coconut. Top with cherries. Melt remaining white chocolate; drizzle over pizza. Chill.

Apple Pie Bars:

Crust: 

2 Cups Flour 

½ Cup Sugar 

½ Teaspoon Baking Powder 

½ Teaspoon Salt 

1 Cup Butter 

2 Egg Yolks, beaten

 

Filling: 

4 Cups Sliced Apples

½ Cup Sugar 

¼ Cup Flour 

¼ Nutmeg

1 Teaspoon Cinnamon

2 Egg Whites, beaten

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt; cut in butter as for pie crusts. Mix in egg yolks. Press half of the mixture into the bottom of a 13x9x2” pan. Set the remaining mixture aside. Combine all of the filling ingredients, except egg whites; arrange over bottom crust. Crumble remaining crust mixture over filling. Brush egg whites over all. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Cool.

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Carmel Corn:

6 Quarts Popped Popcorn 

2 Cups Brown Sugar 

½ Cup Corn Syrup 

2 Sticks Butter 

½ Teaspoon Baking Soda 

¼ Teaspoon Salt 

Boil sugar, syrup, and butter for about 5 minutes to make syrup.Stir in baking soda. Pour over popcorn and mix well. Place on a well greased cookie sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes at 300 degrees. 

Party Bar Cookies:

1 Stick of Butter, melted

1 ¼ Cups Graham Crackers, crushed

1 ½ Cups Marshmallows 

1 Cup Coconut 

6 oz Butterscotch Chips 

6 oz Chocolate Chips 

1 ½ Cups Chopped Nuts 

1 Cup Sweetened Condensed Milk

Layer in order in a greased 13x9x2” pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Cinnamon Coffee Cake:

1 Cup Butter, softened

2 ¾ Cups sugar, divided 

2 Teaspoons Vanilla 

4 Eggs 

3 Cups Flour 

2 Teaspoons Baking Powder

1 Teaspoon Baking Soda

1 Teaspoon Salt 

2 Cups Sour Cream

2 Tablespoons Cinnamon 

½ Cup Chopped Walnuts 

In a large mixing bowl, cream butter, and 2 cups sugar until fluffy. Add vanilla. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine flour, baking powder, soda, and salt; add alternatively with sour cream, beating just enough after each addition to keep batter smooth. Spoon ⅓ of batter into a greased 10” pan. Combine cinnamon, nuts, and remaining sugar; sprinkle ⅓ over batter in pan. Repeat layers two more times. Bake at 350 degrees for 70 minutes or until cake tests done. Cool for 10 minutes. Remove from pan to a wire rack to cool completely. 

Apple Raisin Bread:

2 Packages Yeast 

1 ½ Cups Warm Water, divided 

1 Teaspoon Sugar 

3 Eggs, beaten

1 Cup Applesauce 

½ Cup Honey 

½ Cup Vegetable Oil 

2 Teaspoon Salt 

8-9 Cups Flour 

1 ½ Cups Diced Apples 

2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice 

1 ½ Cups Raisins 

In a small bowl, combine yeast, ½ cup water, and sugar; set aside. In a large bowl, combine eggs, applesauce, honey, oil, and remaining water, mix well. Stir in yeast mixture. Gradually add enough flour to form a soft dough. Knead on a floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. Place dough in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Punch down and turn over in the bowl. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes. In a small bowl, combine apples, lemon juice, and raisins. Divide dough into three parts; knead ⅓ of the apple mixture into each part. Shape each into round flat balls. Place each in a greased 8” round baking pan that has been sprinkled with cornmeal (can omit and bake on cookie sheet). Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour. For glaze, brush each loaf with egg and sprinkle with sugar. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes. (Can add 3 Teaspoons cinnamon with the flour if desired).

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