Holiday Music and Tips from Joshua Bell and Sandra Lee and a Giveaway

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.  I love family being together.  I enjoy the cranberry sauce and yummy side dishes!  I love the meaning behind the day.  Everyone celebrating - giving thanks!  


My favorite memories of the Thanksgiving holiday is being at my Granny and Papa's farm.  It was always cold outdoors.  Papa always had a big fire going.  The house was filled with family and the women were busy preparing lunch.  

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This year Sandra Lee and Joshua Bell have teamed up to help everyone make their Thanksgiving meals and the holiday extra special.  I had the opportunity to review Joshua's latest album not too long ago.  Sandra Lee's show Semi Homemade is a favorite around our house.  Most Saturdays our TV is set to Food Network and even Bubbie enjoys watching the shows.  

Sandra had this to say- “Thanksgiving is the perfect time to bring everyone together to celebrate a year of blessings. Serve savory and decadent dishes such as Savory Bread Pudding and Praline Sweet Potato Casserole on an inviting table, filled with rich colors and seasonal textures. Simple, time-saving shortcuts to create a meaningful feast can be found in my new book Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade Cocktail Time.  Give your gracious gathering a heartwarming start with my personal favorite, Joshua Bell’s album, At Home With Friends and greet guests at your door with a vibrant cocktail, such as a Peach and Apricot Cider or Pumpkin Pie Martini . The main attraction is food, so try turning your Turkey or Pork Roast into a colorful centerpiece, served with a side of cornbread stuffing or cranberry sauce. For a quick and easy dessert try Semi-Homemade Glazed Spice Donuts with Pecans or a Sweet Potato Cake with Citrus Glaze, so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time celebrating with your family and friends.”




Here are a few tips given from Sandra Lee to help you with your meal plans!

TIPS:

COCKTAILS:

*Tip from Sandra: “Re-name your cocktails for a signature touch and serve them in an array of glasses in different shapes and sizes for a glamorous effect.  If you have a special album playing, review your song list and allow the song titles to inspire your cocktails, ie. Peach Cider can be turned into “Cinema Paradiso” to match the beautiful duet of the same name onJoshua Bell’s  new album At Home With Friends. Brilliant!”

APETIZERS:

*Tip from Sandra: “If you’re facing a time crunch—pick party foods that are delicious and impressive, without being fussy.  I recommend, Savory Bread Pudding and Fig and Port Tartlets—both of these tasty treats can be prepared before your guests arrive and served at room temperature.” 

SIDE:

*Tip from Sandra: “Sometimes you need the culinary equivalent of a big warm hug. Praline Sweet Potato Casserole is a classic, comfort food creation that is baked to perfection.”


And here are a few recipes that I am allowed to share with you!  That Brownie Bottom Cheesecake looks yummy!!  

I know most families have football on and off during their festivities, but in case you aren't a football lover or if you have a larger home and need some music to help drowned out the murmur of the TV, here is a way to listen to Joshua Bell's music during the Holidays!

Pop Up Audio

And, as a special treat, we are having a giveaway to win your own copy of Joshua Bell's album, At Home With Friends!

To enter, leave me a message and let me know what you usually do on Thanksgiving Day!

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A big thank you to the friends at Sony Music for allowing me to do this blog post and giveaway!