Thanksgiving Turkeys & Spencer's Birthday & Spencer's Performance at the Pulse Opera

Here is our attempt at pretzel and candy corn turkeys.

It does not look exactly like the one on Pinterest.

This is from Pretzel Turkeys on MyRecipeMagic.com

Here is the link to her sight: Pretzel Turkeys

Our turkeys did not look exactly like these, but we had fun

and they tasted great!

I think we should have used different pretzels and a different method of 

attaching the candy corn turkey feathers!

We are assembled and ready to cook!

The first step is to
lay your pretzels with the salted side down
 with the double rounded end pointed toward you.
Or, if you can't reach the pan, just eat your pretzels.
Right, Ceci?

The next step is a little more difficult.
(This step explains why our turkeys did not look exactly like
the ones in the photo of the recipe I used.)
The recipe says:
Place three candy corns on the single round end. I start with the middle one and just place the tip under the middle of pretzel and the top part resting on the top of the pretzel. Place the other two candy corns along the angled part of the pretzel so that they are touching the first candy corn.
This is harder to keep the candy corn on the pretzels than it sounds.
Doug thought next time we should use a little dab of  frosting to "glue" them to the pretzels.

I love these boys!

Next,
Gently lay an unwrapped Rolo on top of the candy corns.

Place the tray in the oven preheated to 300 degrees

 until the Rolos are soft, 5-6 minutes.

You can push the Rolos down with the back of a spoon and press them gently down
 to make sure they contact the pretzels and the candy corns.
Then we added the eyes and beaks with m&m's for the beaks
and the white tips of the candy corn for the eyes.
The original recipe finishes the turkeys by
applying 2 pearls for the eyes and half of a Reese’s pieces for the beak.
Take a toothpick and dab it in the melted chocolate at the edge of the Rolo
and dab it in the center of the pearl to finish the eye.

Our finished product!

Enjoy!

We had a lot of fun with the boys.
I just started yoga this fall.
Graham's tree pose is great.

We had thanksgiving dinner at Kevin's grandparents home.
Kevin and Evie deep fried the turkey.

This is probably the best turkey I have ever eaten.

The family photo after our delicious feast.
We have much to be thankful for.

Spencer celebrated his 10th birthday this month
by going to a Brazilian restaurant.

Doug and I were Spencer's biggest fans at
 Disney's Peter Pan Jr. production.

A little history on
Indiana's Oldest Operating Historical Opera House

Pulse Opera House 

in Warren, Indiana was built in 1884 by Captain Silas Pulse, a Civil War veteran who was known as “Cap” to his friends. Captain Pulse was a wealthy merchant in Warren, being part owner in the mercantile firm of Pulse & Thrash. A 1902 history characterized him as a “broad-minded man of the world, alive to all that interests and benefits his fellows…a public spirited benefactor.” His concern for the public welfare was demonstrated when he replaced the Pulse & Thrash wooden structure with a brick building which housed his new store and a public hall.
The first floor contained the general store, with a lady’s dry goods department, a men’s department, and a shoe department. Behind the building stood the Pulse Millinery Store and the Pulse Grocery Store.
The Pulse Opera House was located on the second floor. At the top of the wide stairway leading to the theatre stood the ticket window from which tickets could be purchased the night of the performance. The sale of tickets was usually handled through Hickerson’s Drug Store or Wuersten’s Jewelry Store. Beyond the ticket window and the large double doors (which served as the only entrance into the house) was a backstage door, over which actors, singers, dancers, and musicians left a lasting impression by carving their initials.
History
From 1970 until 1986 the opera house was used for storage.
In November of 1986, however, a group was formed to restore the structure and recapture some of the glory of its earlier days.
The stage was reconstructed, the ceiling ovals uncovered, and seating reinstalled.
Under the direction of Cynthia Smyth-Wartzok and Ron Wartzok, the opera house has operated as a not-for-profit summer theatre, specializing in melodramas, comedies, and musicals.
Combining the history of the theatre with local and area talent, the
 Pulse Opera House
once again is playing to enthusiastic audiences.

Evie with Spencer after his performance as Wendy's brother, John.
A short blog for an event filled Thanksgiving.
But we take home many treasured memories.

HAPPY  BIRTHDAY, SPENCER!

The Mountains Are Calling--and Mock Cordon Bleu at C & C Farms

Today is our last full day in the Smokies.

We decided to make the most of the beautiful mountains.

Beautiful views of our resort.

Today we took a tour back up the Smoky Mountains with Charles,
our tour guide with "A Walk in the Woods."

We went back to the Carlos C. Campbell Overlook.

We traveled farther along Newfound Gap Road.

Nature forged the Great Smokies, but the hands of Civilian Conservation Corps
(CCC) workers helped shape the national park known here today.
During the 1930's, enrollment peaked as 4,300 men worked here,
building roads, campgrounds, trails, and buildings.
They also reared fish for stocking, fought fires, and practiced
innumerable other trades.
Their work remains an important part of the fabric of
Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Doug and I stood along the Appalachian Trail.
It is one of the longest continuous footpaths in the world.
The trail winds more than 2,150 miles through 14 states.
Few stretches are more difficult or remote than the section through the
Great Smokies.  Here the trail follows some of the highest ridges in the
Appalachians, paralleling the Tennessee-North Carolina  border for 70 miles.

On to Clingmans Dome
At 6,643 feet, Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is the highest point in Tennessee, and the third highest mountain east of the Mississippi. The observation tower on the summit of Clingmans Dome offers spectacular 360° views of the Smokies and beyond for visitors willing to climb the steep half-mile walk to the tower at the top.
On clear days views expand over a 100 miles. Unfortunately, air pollution often limits viewing distances to under 20 miles.
Clouds, precipitation, and cold temperatures are common at Clingmans Dome. Temperatures at the dome can be 10 -20 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than in the surrounding lowlands. In fact, the cool, wet conditions on Clingmans Dome's summit make the spruce-fir forest that grows there a coniferous rainforest.
http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/clingmansdome.htm

We made it to the top of the mountain.
It was too foggy to get out and take the .5 mile hike to the top.
As you can see, we wouldn't be able to see much today.

 This was Clingmans Dome when we talked to the top on Tuesday.

 Views from the dome when it was clearer.

Another Tuesday view.

Back down the mountain with Charles from
A Walk in the Woods.

This is Charles, our expert guide.
He was so knowledgeable about the area.

From the majestic mountains views
to shopping on The Island in Pigeon Forge to pick up some souvenirs.

We also stopped at the Old Mill shopping center to browse and
take a few more photos.

This was my black bear sighting today.
I was hoping to see one when we were on our mountain tour today,
but ended up seeing this one in the city.
Do not feed the bears!

Leaving our Smoky Mountain resort.

 Our niece, Sarah, told us to be sure and go to the Flapjack pancake house.
We did, and we enjoyed every mouthwatering bite.

 Yes!

A pancake house with a view.

 On our way back home.

But first, we stop at Sarah and Matt's for our own bed and breakfast stay.
C & C Farms

 Sarah fixed Mock Chicken Cordon Bleu
from the cookbook her mother-in-law made just for her.

 Getting out the fixins' for the casserole dish.

Line a 9x13" pan that has been sprayed with Pam nonstick cooking spray
with 1 package Buddig dried beef.
Lay 4 large or 6 small chicken breasts on top of the dried beef.
In small bowl mix the soups with sour cream;
pour on top of the chicken.
Top with cheese and then bread crumbs.
Cover with foil and bake at 400 degrees
for 1-1/2 hours.
Remove the foil the last 8 minutes of baking to brown.

It is smelling fabulous!
Matt is smiling approvingly.

Bon Appetit!
Definition of BON APPÉTIT. : good appetite : enjoy your meal.

It was delicious, Sarah!

The boys,
Arlie and Tucker.

Sarah and Tucker.
Thanks Matt and Sarah for a wonderful visit!