Keeping Thanksgiving Traditional

Posted on November 13, 2024November 13, 2024 by gigis ramblings

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Thanksgiving officially kicks off my favorite time of year. It’s the holiday where we gather with my six kids, their spouses, and 15 grandkids. Every year, I try to keep things traditional—whether it’s the food, the decorations, or the little family rituals that make the day feel extra special. I love decorating the house with cozy fall touches and preparing classic dishes that remind me of my childhood. If you’re looking to create a nostalgic, comforting Thanksgiving dinner of your own, here’s how I do it!

Decorating the Home: Setting the Scene

Before I start cooking, I focus on making the house feel festive. I love the fall colors—oranges, yellows, and browns. I always pull out my favorite Thanksgiving dinnerware. My house is adorned with pumpkins, gourds, scarecrows, candles, and of course, Mama Crow’s wax melts in the wax warmer. It helps set the mood for the day and gives everyone that “holiday” feeling as soon as they walk in.

Preparing a Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner

When it comes to the food, I like to stick to the classics. Thanksgiving isn’t the time for fancy new recipes in my house—it’s about keeping those old favorites that everyone loves. Here’s what I serve each year:

Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay

Turkey: The Heart of the Meal

The turkey is always the star of the show. I keep it simple— salt, pepper, garlic, and fresh herbs like sage, rosemary, and thyme. Just brine and throw it in my favorite roasting pan. It cooks to golden perfection and fills the house with an irresistible smell. While it takes time, it’s totally worth it when I see everyone digging in.

Stuffing: A Family Favorite

Stuffing is an absolute must. I keep it traditional with cornbread, celery, onions, broth, and sage. It’s simple but oh-so-flavorful. I bake it until it’s crispy on top and soft inside. It’s the kind of dish that reminds me of my childhood and always gets devoured at the table.

Image by John Verive FLICKR

Green Bean Casserole: Creamy and Crunchy

Green bean casserole is another dish that’s non-negotiable at our table. I make mine with French-style green beans, cream of mushroom, shredded cheese, and crispy fried onions on top. The mix of creamy and crunchy is just perfect, and it’s always a hit with the whole family.

Mac and Cheese: Ultimate Comfort Food

Mac and cheese might not be traditional for everyone, but for us, it’s a Thanksgiving staple. I make it extra cheesy, with a blend of sharp cheddar and Velveeta, and bake it with a crunchy breadcrumb topping. My grandkids especially love it, and I love how it adds a bit of comfort to the meal.

Sweet Potatoes: A Sweet Touch

I can’t do Thanksgiving without sweet potatoes. I roast them with butter, brown sugar, and a sprinkle of cinnamon. I top them with marshmallows, letting them caramelize into a gooey, sweet topping. Sweet potatoes always bring a warm, cozy feel to the table.

Mashed Potatoes: Creamy Perfection

Mashed potatoes are a must in our house. I make them creamy and buttery with just a hint of garlic. They’re the perfect base for all the gravy, and everyone always goes back for seconds (or thirds!).

Gravy: The Finishing Touch

Gravy is what brings everything together. I use the turkey drippings to make a rich, savory gravy that’s perfect over turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing. It ties the whole meal together and makes everything taste even better. Check out this adorable turkey gravy boat!

Image by Matthew Reid FLICKR

Cranberry Sauce: A Little Zing

I would love to say I make my own homemade cranberry sauce, but I’d be lying. I wouldn’t even know where to start. So…passed down straight from my grandmother, I spend about 20 minutes fighting with the Ocean Spray can until a jellied blob of goodness decides to finally plop out on the plate. I then delicately slice said blob into perfectly porportioned circles. Most of my family doesn’t care for it, but for me, it’s a must!

Pumpkin Pie: A Sweet Ending

Finally, what’s Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie? It’s a tradition I look forward to every year. The spices, the creamy filling, and the flaky crust make it the perfect way to end the meal. A big glob of whipped cream on top makes it even better.

Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay

Cherishing Traditions

For me, Thanksgiving is all about traditions—those familiar dishes, the decorations that set the scene, and the people who fill the house with laughter. With my gang, the house is always full, and the meal is always delicious. As much as I love the food, it’s the time spent together that makes Thanksgiving so meaningful.

So, whether you’re hosting your first Thanksgiving or you’ve been doing it for years, I recommend sticking to the classics. Keep it cozy, keep it simple, and most of all, enjoy every moment spent with your loved ones.

Interesting Read: The Mysterious Origins of Halloween

Lisa Crow contributed to this article. She is a true crime junkie and lifestyle blogger based in Waco, Texas. Lisa is the Head of Content at Gigi’s Ramblings and Southern Bred True Crime Junkie. She spends her free time traveling when she can and making memories with her large family which consists of six children and fifteen grandchildren.

🍁 Fall in Love with Mama Crow’s Cozy Fall Scents 🍁

Posted on November 11, 2024November 11, 2024 by gigis ramblings

Fall has arrived, and with it comes the allure of crackling leaves, warm spices, and cozy gatherings. At Mama Crow’s, we’ve poured the heart of autumn into our wax melts, bringing you the scents of fall at their finest. Here are our top picks for the season:

🎃 Pumpkin Apple Cider

Nothing says fall like the delicious aroma of spiced pumpkin mingling with the crisp sweetness of apple cider. With hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, and that unmistakable apple punch, our Pumpkin Apple Cider wax melt fills your space with a warm autumn glow. Imagine a cozy afternoon sipping cider by a pumpkin patch – that’s exactly the vibe!

🌾 Amish Harvest

With a blend of cinnamon, clove, and sweet vanilla, Amish Harvest captures the heartwarming aroma of an autumn kitchen. Imagine the rich, spicy warmth of clove paired with vanilla – it’s the perfect scent for anyone looking for a rustic, comforting vibe.

🥧 Apple Crisp

One of fall’s essential scents, Apple Crisp captures the delight of baked apples topped with a buttery crumble. The rich, baked apple notes blend with hints of cinnamon and brown sugar, making it smell like a crisp autumn day and fresh apple desserts!

🍯 Honey Dumplin’

Inspired by fresh-baked treats, Honey Dumplin’ is perfect for fall! Sweet notes of red candy apples and pears mingle with rich spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, and cardamom. It’s like a warm kitchen filled with the scents of apple dumplings – perfect for a little extra fall charm.

🍞 Nanner Nut Bread

Nothing says fall like the smell of freshly baked banana nut bread! With a balance of ripe bananas, warm spices, and crunchy walnuts, Nanner Nut Bread wax melts offer the aroma of homemade comfort in every whiff. Pop a melt into your warmer, and let the nostalgic smell of baking take over. 🍌🌰

🌰 Pumpkin Pecan Waffles

Who doesn’t love the smell of waffles? Our Pumpkin Pecan Waffles melts capture the sweetness of pumpkin with the nuttiness of pecans, making you feel like you’re sitting down to a decadent fall brunch. If you’re looking to embrace the sweeter side of autumn, this one’s a must. 🍁🍩

🍨 Salted Caramel Frappe

For a fun twist on fall flavors, Salted Caramel Frappe is the way to go. Imagine creamy caramel blended with just the right amount of sea salt to balance the sweetness. It’s rich, delicious, and perfect for adding a little extra indulgence to your space.

☕ Spiced Pumpkin Latte

Nothing says autumn like a pumpkin latte, and Mama Crow’s Spiced Pumpkin Latte captures that fall favorite perfectly. This blend has rich coffee notes, cozy pumpkin spice, and a smooth creaminess that feels like a hug in a cup. Great for those mornings you want the café experience at home.

These are just a taste of the cozy, inviting fragrances Mama Crow’s Wax Melts offers this fall. Whether you’re a fan of nutty bakery scents or refreshing apple and pumpkin blends, there’s something here for everyone.

Let your space glow this fall with these incredible scents from Mama Crow’s—each one crafted to make your season a little warmer, cozier, and more delicious. Happy melting! 🕯️🍂 #FallFaves #MamaCrowsWaxMelts #AutumnAromas

Fall Is Officially Here

Posted on October 6, 2018January 30, 2024 by gigis ramblings

Finally, Fall is here!

Well, officially.

Here in Texas, it takes a little longer for the temperature to drop and leaves to fall, but just knowing it is coming gets me all warm inside. This has always been my favorite season. Crisp air, colored leaves, scarecrows, apple cider, football, and pumpkins all make my heart content. I don’t know what it is, but this is always my most creative and productive time of year. I just love Autumn!

Here are a few ideas to get your festive groove on:

Fill your home with wonderful fragrances. The first step to getting yourself in the mood is a little aromatherapy. I have a personal favorite that I will share with you.

What you will need:

1 apple of any variety

Cinnamon sticks

Whole cloves

Nutmeg

Vanilla extract

Small pot

Fill the pot ¾ full of water. Cut the apple into quarters and add to the pot. Then add cinnamon sticks, ½ tsp of cloves, ½ tsp of nutmeg, 1 tsp of vanilla extract. Let ingredients simmer on top of the stove, being careful not to let the water boil away. You may replenish water periodically. In just a few minutes you will be amazed at the delicious aromas coming from your kitchen!

Do a little seasonal decorating. If you are a fall lover like myself, you probably have a stash of your favorite Autumn decorations safely tucked away. Don’t worry, even if you do not have one single fall-themed item, I have a few ideas for you. You do not have to spend a fortune to add a little warmth to your home. All you need is a little imagination and the gifts Mother Nature bears. It can be something as simple as filling a glass jar with pecans or acorns for a lovely centerpiece, placing a pumpkin on your front porch, painting pine cones or using twigs and cardboard to create a neat monogram. Check out an array of interesting ideas I have saved on my Pinterest Fall board.

Take a walk. The perfect way to get that Fall feeling is to get outside. The crisp air, gentle breeze and beautiful colors just seem to energize my soul. It’s healing to me. Here in Central Texas, we have this wonderful park that has miles of trails where I love to escape this time of year. Try it you’ll be amazed at how wonderful you feel!

Find a comfy spot, cozy blanket, and a good book. Not sure why, but this seems to be the only time of year I make time to read. Nothing quite says fall like curling up in a soft blanket with a good read, and a warm fire (if you’re lucky enough to live where it’s cooler). I have already picked out this season’s reading list:

As you can see, I will be in my comfy spot for quite some time.

Happy Fall Y’all!

Lisa Crow contributed to this article. She is a travel writer and lifestyle blogger based in Waco, Texas. Lisa is the Head of Content at Gigi’s Ramblings. She spends her free time traveling when she can and making memories with her large family which consists of six children and fifteen grandchildren.