Grateful...(Happy American Thanksgiving Day!)

At 3:00 I was still trying to decide what I could make for supper
that could cook while I put a second coat of paint on the 'purple room'! 

When in menu limbo thaw ground beef.
so I did; 2 lbs.

 While it thawed in the microwave I scrubbed a few potatoes
 then tried to decide what next.
I chose meat-loaf, with baked potato-wedges and butternut squash
because this could bake at alike temps.
I put the meatloaf in for 45 min@325F before adding the pan of squash-potato.
I left it at 325F for an hour then reduced the heat around 6;00
because on Thursdays no one is home before 6:30.
Second coat of paint was done by 6:00
allowing time to make a spinach salad to complete the menu.

Meatloaf

2 lbs ground beef thawed.

I small onion chopped

3 or 4 bread-crusts, crumbled

1 teaspoon each of salt and black pepper

2 eggs

squirt each of ketchup and mustard (according to taste)

2/3 cup milk

Mix and press in pan

Baking instructions above

 (if using a deep loaf pan bake covered for 11/2 hrs at 350 then uncover for the last 15 minutes.)

I topped this meatloaf with a BBQ sauce when I uncovered it

1/3 cup ketchup

1tbsp. br. sugar

1 tsp. chili powder

I tsp (heaping) honey mustard 

Cut clean, dry potatoes into wedges. 

Peel and slice squash into 1/2" rings

place in buttered casserole dish

 sprinkle salt and pepper to taste
as well as paprika and

parsley flakes or fresh chopped parsley

another drizzle of butter and enough water just to cover bottom of pan

Cover with foil and bake 1 hour at 325/350F

Remove foil for the last 15 min.

Spinach Salad

base of baby spinach

topped with thinly sliced red and green cabbage

celery, chopped

toasted sunflower seeds and sliced almonds

dried cranberries

Leave dressing on side

I used a soy-sauce dressing

the recipe for a full batch is;

Mississippi Salad dressing

put in blender 3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup vinegar

3 tbsp. soy sause

1 tbsp black pepper

blend then slowly add 3/4 cup oil

 (I use 1/4 cup olive oil and 1/2 cup canola or veg. oil)

put in glass bottle or jar.

Lightly drizzle salad

refrigerate unused dressing

Grateful for goodness that graces the table

Grateful for strength to do what I am able

Grateful for mercies renewed every morn

Fields that were laden with harvest, now shorn

Flicker of leaf-lanterns strewn ‘neath our feet

November’s embers where earth and sky meet

Grateful for love that gives heartstrings a tug

Wood fire warmth, like a welcome home hug

Seasons that stir us then startle us, oh

Swift gifted shimmer from first bud to snow

Teaching us tenderly as time goes by

To look the moment at hand in the eye

Grateful for touch, for hands still within reach

Grateful for much love’s demands seem to teach

Grateful for blessings too countless to name

(God, my forgetfulness puts me to shame)

Day made for labour and night deigned for rest

Purpose that bids us strive to give our best

Grateful that God always faithful and true

Never stops caring for me and for you

Grateful to know His ways are always good

Even when His grace is misunderstood

Grateful, when trouble and heartache assails

To know no matter what, love never fails

© Janet Martin

Colossians 3:17
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed,

 do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, 

giving thanks to God and the Father by him.