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We find ourselves thankful this year for so many things...for our families & friends, for everyone in our Gooseberry Patch community and for the cozy comfort of our homes.
With a chill in the air, we can't wait to fix all those warm, delicious, easy-to-prepare, ooey, gooey, cheesy, chocolatey dishes that make us glad to be home, feeling tucked in and safe from the world outside. And, isn't it funny how spending a quiet moment with a cup of tea and a Gooseberry Patch cookbook can make you feel this way? Your cards, letters and emails tell us it's so, all the time! |
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So, this season we're especially thankful for you, our dearest customers, who send us your favorite recipes and your sweetest family memories, who write to us with terrific ideas and suggestions and kind words of encouragement. Thank you for making Gooseberry Patch not just a joyful place to work every day...you also make it a wonderful, big community of friends.
P.S. Wow!
We received so many heartfelt emails about our first e-letter, we just wanted to thank everyone who took the time to send us such kind thoughts. We loved hearing your encouraging words, thoughtful suggestions and clever ideas. Please let us know what you think about November's e-letter...we want to make each one extra-special, just for you!
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When family & friends come to visit over Thanksgiving weekend, it's easy to have an extra dessert on
hand that everyone will love (especially the kids!) Give our favorite crustless pumpkin pie a try...it's scrumptious!
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Crustless Pumpkin Pie
from Coming Home with Gooseberry Patch
4 eggs, beaten
15-oz. can pumpkin
12-oz. can evaporated milk
1-1/2 c. sugar
2 t. pumpkin pie spice
1 t. salt
18-1/2 oz. pkg. yellow cake mix
1 c. chopped pecans
1 c. butter, melted
Garnish: whipped topping, chopped walnuts,
cinnamon or nutmeg
Combine eggs, pumpkin, evaporated milk, sugar, spice and salt. Mix well and pour into an ungreased 13"x9" baking pan. Sprinkle cake mix and nuts over top. Drizzle with butter; do not stir. Bake at 350
degrees for 45 minutes to one hour, testing for doneness with a toothpick. Serve with whipped topping sprinkled with nuts and cinnamon or nutmeg. Makes 8 to 10 servings.
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Mix & Match for Holiday
Memories
One of our very favorite ways to set a holiday dinner table is with mix & match dishes. We are both quite sentimental when it comes to family & friends, and when we set out Grandma's dinner plates with Aunt Lucy's gravy boat and the salt & pepper shakers we picked up on a flea market trip with a good friend one sunny Saturday morning...well, it's like gathering this group of loved ones all around us for a special dinner once again.
Whether your dish collection is inherited or lovingly handpicked from thrift stores and yard sales, why not give this table setting approach a try? We've discovered it works especially well if we stick to a similar color palette with the dishes, like using all earth tones, or all shades of blues and greens, for example. Linens chosen in the same color family also help to tie everything together and create a cozy table. So pull out your treasured pieces and one-of-a-kind finds...and have some fun!
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An Easy Country Welcome
From white Luminas to dark gold Jumpin' Jacks to reddish-orange Cinderellas...we're always looking for ways to bring natural elements into our decorating, and in autumn there are pumpkins galore! Arrange your favorites in a wheelbarrow, parade them down a picnic table, or let them circle a fall planter. Big or small, round or tall...have some fun with pumpkins!
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Plate Pedestals
Pretty-plate pedestals are so easy to make and perfect to use any time of year. Look for small, mismatched china plates in charming prints and clear glass candlesticks at tag sales and thrift stores. Make sure the candlesticks have a flat top area. Using a silicone cement glue(we used E6000) attach the candlestick to the center-back of plate. Let dry, upside-down for 24 hours. Ta-dah...a sweet little pedestal for a tiny pumpkin, cupcake, wrapped candies and even jewelry.
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Looking for a delicious and different way to enjoy your turkey...the day after? Try serving these yummy sandwiches alongside a cup of your favorite soup. We think they'll be a hit!
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Gooseberry Patch is excited to introduce you to our new friends at the American Pie Council. Watch for some fun happenings with them in the future, but in the meantime, take a peek at their website and information on the upcoming National Pie Championships! |
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The results are in...Gooseberry Patch staffers went all-out to create some very delightful scarecrows and some super-silly pet costumes. We wish
we had room to include every one of 'em...they're all winners in our book! Check out some of our favorites!
 
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Coming up in December's e-letter...Christmas memory crafting with
Vickie & Jo Ann, holiday recipes and our top 10 favorite Christmas tips!
Can't wait to see you again!
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