Thanksgiving is a fun holiday for those of us who enjoy living in the kitchen.  It is an occasion to spend quality time with friends and family, time to pause and acknowledge our blessings, and a time to express our gratitude to those people who make our lives a better place.

My husband and I are often lucky guests on this special occasion.  Our hosts plan for this event all year through and no detail is overlooked.  The tables are beautiful, the wines and appetizers are delightful and beautifully presented, the meal is classic and perfectly prepared, and the deserts….oh my!  Their efforts are truly an expression of love and service.

So– I have figured out what I am going to wear to this magical affair, and my husband has the job of selecting the wine(s) we will be bringing.  Now, I want to select a little gift to bring for our hosts as a token of gratitude for their hospitality.  I usually hand make something.  Sometimes I knit a dishcloth or create a personalized hand towel or make a jam or jelly.  One of my latest favorite things is Red Pepper Jelly.  It is delicious on crackers with cream cheese, roast turkey sandwiches, or my personal favorite– with brie on rosemary crackers.

Red Pepper Jelly

• 2 large red bell peppers (about 2 cups), chopped
• 5 medium jalapeño peppers (about 1/2 cup), seeded and chopped
• 6 1/4 cups sugar
• 1 1/2 cups white vinegar
• 2 (3-ounce) pouches liquid pectin

Mix bell and jalapeño peppers with sugar and vinegar.  Bring to a boil over high heat and continue boiling 1 minute.  Reduce to medium-high and cook 4 minutes.  Add pectin and boil one minute.

Pour jelly into sterilized jars and process in hot water bath for 10 minutes.

Makes 7 (1/2 pint) jars

Another option–I love giving and receiving tea towels.  One can never have too many and they can be tailored to be occasion specific.  They don’t take up much room in the pantry and they always come in handy.

After the day has come and gone, I reflect on the wonderful time we had.   Now a “Thank you” card or note is in order.  I enjoy making cards and I rarely manage to be organized enough to have them pre-made– so it could be more than a day or two before I get a card out.

I need to work on that…..

Here is a quick idea, if you want to try your hand at making a card.

You will need:

• (1) 4 ^1/4 X 11 inch –gold card stock
• (1) 4 ^1/4 X 5 ^1/2 inch –dark brown card stock
• Any “thank you” stamp(s)
• Dark Brown ink pad
• Permanent mono-adhesive
• Ribbon

Optional: All-purpose ink (champagne) and cellophane to use as a “sponge”

Directions:

• Fold the gold card stock in half and trim 1/4 inch off both sides.
• If you are using the frosty ink, use a small piece of cellophane wrap and dip it in a little ink.  ‘Sponge’  a random pattern on the front side of the gold card stock.
• Stamp “Thank you” in dark brown ink.
• Mount gold card stock on top of brown card stock, using mono-adhesive or double-stick tape.
• Trim ribbon ends, (I fold ribbon in half and snip the end diagonally).
• Tie ribbon around front of the card in a square knot.  That’s it!
• Appreciating an idea from Williams Sonoma:

https://www.facebook.com/WilliamsSonoma/posts/10155879651059812:0

Thank you for reading my blog. I hope that you have enjoyed it and that you will stop by again.

Check out Entertaining An Idea on Facebook for last minute Thanksgiving recipes, tips and ideas and have a wonderful holiday!