Thanksgiving Sweet Potatoes & Place Cards

If you are still looking for a side for your Thanksgiving feast, try the Barefoot Contessa’s Sweet Potatoes. These are devoured by everyone in our extended family!

4 lbs. sweet potatoes (about 6 large)
1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (I substitute my fave juice, Simply Orange)
1/2 heavy cream (I substitute half & half)
4 T unsalted butter, melted
1 t ground nutmeg
1/2 t ground cinnamon
2 T kosher salt
1 t freshly ground black pepper

3 T unsalted butter
3 McIntosh or Macoun apples – peeled, cored and cut into eighths
3 T brown sugar

Preheat oven to 375.

Scrub potatoes and prick them several times with a fork. The BC calls for baking them for 1 hour, but I microwave until fork-tender. Slice the top and let cool for about 15 minutes or until they can be handled. Scoop out insides into an electric mixer w/paddle attachment …..

and add OJ, cream, melted butter, brown sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt & pepper. Pulse together until combined but not smooth, and pour into baking dish.

For the topping, melt the 3 T of butter in a skillet over medium heat.

Bake for 20-30 minutes until heated through. {And then taste-test a wee bit when it comes out of the oven just to make sure it’s okay 😉 }  If you’re thinking this looks like baby food – it does – except it tastes so delicious!

Now for something for the kids {and adults!} to contribute to the Thanksgiving festivities – place cards!
In my family, we all love to set a pretty table, but we don’t really worry where everyone will be sitting – as long as there are enough seats. However, I love how place cards personalize a table either for a casual or formal affair. They give each person a place of honor. How lovely are these for your Thanksgiving table?

Sometimes when I’m busy preparing a meal, I’ll ask my kids to make colorful place cards to keep them occupied. My kids have always enjoyed that they had a part in making the table special.

To make these placecards, have each child use their thumb to make the big print for the body/face, and the tips of their fingers to make rows of feathers. We used a white paint pen to make the eyes, and when they dried we added a dot of black marker. The legs are drawn with marker, and the “gobble-gobble” thingamajiggy is scrap of red tissue paper. So easy and so cute for your Thanksgiving meal! You could even have the kids make the turkeys and then write the names yourself in fancy handwriting. I know you love fancy!

I’m pretty sure the ones we make this year will be sparkly – I feel some glittering coming on!

I hope you can enjoy this day of preparation and find much to be thankful for.
I am thankful that you joined me here today!

I love hearing from you! {Comments welcome!}