Chasing Fireflies

Pajama Snow Day

We spent our day inside (except for me going out to take these pictures) in our pajamas enjoying our November snow day.  Later we wrapped up our pajama snow day with breakfast for dinner - steak and eggs and sweet potato biscuits. 

It's Snowing . . .

in November . . .

in Mississippi . . .

We're expected to receive 3-5 inches of snow between tonight and tomorrow. 

We're all actually pretty excited!  :)

Stuffing or Dressing

Does your family eat stuffing or dressing for Thanksgiving?  Is there a difference?  Is yours wet or dry? 

Here's what I've found out :

Oftentimes, stuffing is traditionally said to be cooked inside the Thanksgiving turkey absorbing the juices, while dressing is served alongside in a separate dish resulting a little drier in texture.  I also found the staple dish (regardless of what it is cooked in) served up with turkey on Thanksgiving Day is referred to as stuffing from sea to shining sea, for the exception of the states below the Mason-Dixon line.  Southerners tend to prefer to call it dressing regardless of whether or not it's cooked within or outside the bird.  Another difference is in the north stuffing usually begins with white bread and in the south dressing usually begins with cornbread.  From there ingredients vary from region to region and from family to family.  In South Carolina they often add rice, in coastal areas they might add oysters, andouille sausage will be added in New Orleans, and in Texas chilies are occasionally added. 

It appears that just as the Coke verses soda pop debate will never end, neither will the stuffing verses dressing debate in the United States.  That's alright though.  We like having differeces to distinguish us and set us apart.  Right?

I'm curious.  Do you eat stuffing or dressing for Thanksgiving?  How is it prepared (inside or outside the bird)?  What's the bread base (white bread or cornbread)?  Is there a special ingredient added to your stuffing/dressing?

Please comment here for a Thanksgiving project for Olivia.  We're taking a poll to create a chart.  

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Websites researched:
http://www.ajc.com/hotjobs/content/eveningedge/stories/2008/11/18/stuffing_or_dressing.html
http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2011/11/18/stuffing-vs-dressing/

Colors of our Weekend

BROWN, YELLOW, and ORANGE

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This weekend:
We celebrated 11.11.11;
We played outside a lot;
The kids had friends over to play while their parents moved them into a new house;
We were sobered viewing candles in memory of 12,000 who lost their lives during the Civil War;
I hosted a baby shower and celebrated with one of my friends who is expecting her first "Little Pumpkin."

11.11.11

Morning

(soon before) Noon

Afternoon

Evening

Night

Girls Afternoon Out

Olivia and I had a Girls Afternoon Out this beautiful fall afternoon.  While the boys were at home watching Star Wars and perfecting their lightsaber skills, we were out seeking fall color and eventually found ourselves under a magnificent red maple enjoying pumpkin chocolate chip bread. 

We enjoyed sketching some of our fall treasures in our nature notebooks and talking about current events in our lives - like the plot of our current read Johnny Tremain, her fondness of taking violin lessons, our plans for a family Christmas ministry opportunity, and her love of rehearsing for A Christmas Carol.  I {heart} moments with just my girl.

Colors of our Weekend

ORANGE, RED, BROWN, and YELLOW

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Not only did our clocks get set back this weekend, also:

I made invitations for a friend's upcoming baby shower.
We enjoyed apple crisp when Michael's parents came for a visit.
I planted 72 daffodil bulbs (with a little help).
Olivia and I had a Girls Afternoon Out enjoying beautiful fall color.