Tuesday 24 November 2015

Thanksgiving Revamp: 7 Easy And Inexpensive Ways To Trim The Turkey Table

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Most of  Thanksgiving celebrations are already filled with rich traditions inherited throughout the decades, but this year (before we rush to gobble up all those good ol’ favorites) i wondered if perhaps there was a way to revamp the traditional turkey table. Celebrity event coordinator Tony Conway of Legendary Events, who has worked with Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey, brings his luxurious expertise to my Thanksgiving spread. Not only did he show how to pull in a little extra love with some seasonal-inspired décor, but he gave some kid friendly recipes that’ll keep their bellies full and minds entertained. Check out the Thanksgiving revamp below (warning: deliciously unavoidable mashed potato pie included):

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 Petite Pumpkin and Apple Votive Holders
Hollow out green and red apples (or small gourds) and soak them in apple cider vinegar to prevent them from turning brown. Place individual votives, like these Holsey’s 12 Unscented Glass Votive Candles ($11), inside the gourd or apple and instantly transform the room into a seasonal-inspired candlelit wonderland.
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Magnolia Branch Centerpiece     
Cut magnolia branches from the yard, or pick up a bundle at your local farmer’s market. After washing them, place the branches in any tall container you may already have at home, or purchase a few oversized mason jars, like these Ball Wide Mouth Half Gallon 64 Oz Jars ($13). Finish the homemade centerpiece by tying a beautiful ribbon around the vase or jar, like this Trimwear Natural Burlap Ribbon ($16).
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Pinecone Gratitude Centerpiece
Take a Thanksgiving morning nature walk with the family while collecting some fallen pinecones. For each pinecone you collect, take turns naming something you’re grateful for. Not only is this a great way to burn some calories before the feast to come, but it helps build a spirit of togetherness for the full day ahead. Upon returning home, wash the pinecones with warm water. Hollow out a large pumpkin and then fill its contents with the gratitude pinecones, creating a beautiful and meaningful family centerpiece. You can also take the additional pieces and place them in a basket to use as fire starters.
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Gratitude Place Cards
Fill miniature terracotta pots, like these Miniature Fairy Garden Terra Cotta Pots ($8) with inexpensive herb plants of rosemary or basil. Wrap the pots in ribbon and stick a place card, like these Arcarddian Cards Thanksgiving Placecards ($12), with each guest’s name attached to the pot. Inside the card, write down why you’re grateful for that person.
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Fall Leaves Platter Lining
Send the kids out on leaf hunt in the backyard and ask them to collect the most colorful leaves they can find. Give the leaves a gentle wash with warm water and lay them out to dry. Once dry, use the leaves to line the bottom of all of your Thanksgiving platters.
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Mashed Potato Pie (7-8 Servings)
Combine the fabulous world of pies and potatoes into one new dish:  Mashed Potato Pie! Gather the kids to help mold the shape of the pie.
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Preparation: Boil and mash 6 potatoes. Stir in minced garlic or garlic powder, butter, 2 eggs, a handful of parmasan cheese, and 1 cup of mozzarella. Pile the mixture into a 9-inch pie pan and sprinkle with ¼ cup of mozzarella and a dash of paprika for color. Bake at 350 degrees until golden on top and puffy (about 30-45 minutes). Serve hot.
Kid-Friendly Oven Baked Fried Sweet Potatoes
As you prep this kid-friendly fry dish, keep their creative minds entertained and let them design their own apron. Pick up some white aprons, like Aunt Martha’s Cotton Kitchen Apron ($12), and a couple of fabric markers, like Sargent Art Bright Fabric Markers ($9), so the kids can decorate their first Thanksgiving Day apron. Pass out paper bags as well, and ask them to draw turkeys onto the bags. When the fries are baked, toss salt and pepper into the paper bags and let the kids shake until seasoned.
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Preparation: Scrub sweet potatoes and remove any bad spots. Cut into thin matchstick pieces (as for fries) and leave the skin on. Place on a large cookie sheet with aluminum foil, coated lightly with cooking spray. Spray the sweet potatoes with cooking spray and season with sea salt and pepper. Cook for about 20 minutes at 350 degrees and then crank up the oven to about 380 degrees; bake until crispy (about 10 minutes). Serve with ketchup on the side.
Wishing you all an inspired Thanksgiving Day filled with love and wa

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