Hi, everyone! It’s Verena here. Mom is busy frying chicken for dinner, and I’m making mashed potatoes. I thought it would be a nice surprise to write this column for her.
Daniel Ray and I have been staying at my parents’ house because our place is a bit chilly. The door leaks air, but Dad ordered a new one that should help keep the heat in. Daniel Ray is putting insulation on the wall between our space and the rest of the barn. We’re excited! It feels comfortable in our little corner of the barn—it truly feels like home.
Being back at my parents’ house is special. My old room feels different but still holds memories. It’s comforting to sleep here again. It gives me that warm feeling of being cared for, even though I’m happily married to Daniel Ray now. He is a real blessing in my life.
This Thanksgiving, Daniel Ray and I hosted a mystery menu dinner for both sides of our family. While not everyone could join, those who did had a great time. Each person got a menu, but only we servers knew what the dishes were. For example, we called the mashed potatoes “The Gravy Bomb.” The kids loved it just as much as the adults! My niece Kaitlyn, 9, ended up with three drinks, gravy, a napkin, and a spoon, while some kids got no silverware at all. It was hilarious!
The women helped prepare the food inside while the men gathered around the grill for the turkey. We feasted on mashed potatoes, gravy, turkey, dressing, rolls, vegetables, salad, and a variety of pies. The drinks included coffee, punch, lemonade, and water.
During our stay, Daniel Ray’s younger siblings visited and helped us out a lot. We played games and shared stories, which added to the fun. On Sunday, we visited Dustin and Loretta. Daniel and I watched while my niece and nephews enjoyed sledding outside. They tied a sled to a horse, which looked like a blast! I prefer to enjoy the snowy view from inside, where it’s warm.
While everyone was sledding, I watched my 3-month-old niece, Brooklyn. She smiled at me and even fell asleep in my arms. It was adorable to see Denzel, age 3, help hold her, while little Kylie, age 10 months, tried to wake her up. It was such a sweet moment.
I want to share Mom’s stuffing recipe—it’s a hit during the holidays. You can use chicken broth for extra flavor if you’d like. Here’s how to make it:
- 10 slices of bread, crumbled
- 2 tablespoons chicken-flavored soup base
- 2 cups hot water (potato water adds extra flavor)
- 4 eggs
- ¼ cup diced carrots
- ¼ cup diced celery
- ¼ cup chopped onions
Instructions:
Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a baking dish.
Combine: Dissolve the soup base in hot water.
Mix: In a large bowl, combine the bread, eggs, carrots, celery, and onions. Pour the soup mixture over it and mix well.
Bake: Pour everything into your greased dish and bake for about 45 minutes, until golden brown.
Wishing everyone well. Take care!
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