Sue's Diner: Turkey and Dressing

This week's recipe for Turkey and Dressing is part of the Thanksgiving menu that's featured in the BryonySeries cookbook: Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony," which is a permanent fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties.

The recipe is referenced in the novel Bryony. 

The entire Thanksgiving menu is included in the cookbook: Steve’s Roast Turkey, Stuffing, and Dressing; Roasted Root Vegetable Medley; Traditional Cornbread; Biscuits, Homemade Salad Dressing; Darlene's Trifle; Darlene's Pumpkin Roll; and Sausage Gravy (to top the leftover biscuits for Friday's breakfast). 

Here is the explanation from the cookbook:

For the Marchellis’ first Thanksgiving in Munsonville, Melissa’s little brother Brian shows off the depth of his newly acquired culinary skills, under the direction of his mentor, Steve Barnes, the village maintenance man.

You can try our Turkey and Dressing recipes on the Sue's Diner page on the BryonySeries website. 

But try the recipes this week. It will be gone some time next week. A new recipe will take it's place.

If would you like all the recipes for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow, the cookbook is available immediately on Kindle from Amazon. 

If you have any troubleshooting questions or comments, email us at bryonyseries@gmail.com. 

By the way, Sue's Diner is only real in the BryonySeries world. But didn't Timothy do a great job making the page look like a real menu at a vintage diner?

Here is the full diner page: bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner. You can't really order, of course (wouldn't it be great if you could?).

For more BryonySeries recipes, check out our three cookbooks at bryonyseries.com.

Sue's Diner: Thanksgiving Salad Dressing

 Each week for the last couple of weeks, I've featured one selected recipe from the Thanksgiving menu that's featured in the BryonySeries cookbook: Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony," which is a permanent fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties.

All of these recipes are referenced in the novel Bryony. The complete menu is found in the cookbook.

Here is the explanation from the cookbook:

For the Marchellis’ first Thanksgiving in Munsonville, Melissa’s little brother Brian shows off the depth of his newly acquired culinary skills, under the direction of his mentor, Steve Barnes, the village maintenance man.

This week, I'm featuring a really delicious salad dressing attributed to Steve in the novel and sumitted by Janet Cooney for the cookbook.

Now, you won't be able to receive a print copy before Thanksgiving (unless you live near me, and you arrange for pickup), but you can download a Kindle version now.

You can try also try the salad dressing recipe on the Sue's Diner page on the BryonySeries website. Proceeds from the Kindle version also benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties.

But try the recipe this week. It will be gone some time next week. A new non-Thanksgiving recipe will take it's place.

For troubleshooting questions, email us at bryonyseries@gmail.com.

By the way, Sue's Diner is only real in the BryonySeries world. But didn't Timothy do a great job making the page look like a real menu at a vintage diner?

Here is the full diner page: bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner. You can't really order, of course (wouldn't it be great if you could?).

For more BryonySeries recipes, check out our three cookbooks at our BryonySeries bryonyseries.com/general-store.

Sue's Diner: Easy Berry Trifle

My mother, Virginia Schonbachler, contributed this recipe to the BryonySeries cookbook Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony."

She often made it for holiday gatherings when my children were growing up because the kids liked it so much. It is easy-to-prepare and a good "extra" dessert to serve at Thanksgiving for people who don't like pumpkin pie.

We renamed it Darlene's Trifle for the cookbook because in Bryony, the protagonist's mother also made this recipe for Thanksgiving dinner.

Try this recipe on the Sue's Diner page on the BryonySeries website. 

But try the recipe this week. It will be gone some time next week. A new recipe will take it's place. 

All proceeds from  Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony." benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties.

Order the cookbook from the BryonySeries store or from Amazon.

If you have any troubleshooting questions or comments, email us at bryonyseries@gmail.com. 

By the way, Sue's Diner is only real in the BryonySeries world. But didn't Timothy do a great job making the page look like a real menu at a vintage diner?

Here is the full diner page: bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner. You can't really order, of course (wouldn't it be great if you could?).

For more BryonySeries recipes, check out our three cookbooks at our BryonySeries bryonyseries.com/general-store.

Sue's Diner: Roasted Root Vegetable Medley

This Roasted Root Vegetable Medley recipe is part of the Thanksgiving menu that's featured in the BryonySeries cookbook: Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony," which is a permanent fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties.

All of these recipes on this Thanksgiving menu are referenced in the novel Bryony. The complete menu is found in the cookbook.

Here is the explanation from the cookbook:

For the Marchellis’ first Thanksgiving in Munsonville, Melissa’s little brother Brian shows off the depth of his newly acquired culinary skills, under the direction of his mentor, Steve Barnes, the village maintenance man.

You can try the Roasted Root Vegetable Medley on the Sue's Diner page on the BryonySeries website. 

But try the recipe this week. It will be gone some time next week. A new recipe from the Thanksgiving menu will take it's place.

If you have any troubleshooting questions or comments, email us at bryonyseries@gmail.com. 

(Did you catch Bertrand the Mouse's photo bomb?). 

By the way, Sue's Diner is only real in the BryonySeries world. But didn't Timothy do a great job making the page look like a real menu at a vintage diner?

Here is the full diner page: bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner. You can't really order, of course (wouldn't it be great if you could?).

For more BryonySeries recipes, check out our three cookbooks at our BryonySeries bryonyseries.com/general-store.

Sue's Diner: Pumpkin Roll

If you'd like to serve a  pumpkin dessert for your Thanksgiving dinner that isn't pie, we have a good one to share with you today.

And we're sharing it early in case you want a couple weeks to practice it, especially for those who've never made a cake rol).

This week's recipe is "Pumpkin Roll," which Sarah submitted for the BryonySeries cookbook Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony." 

Here is an excerpt from Bryony that puts the recipe in context:

Steve arrived at the cottage early Thanksgiving morning, and Brian was up to meet him. Together, they babysat the turkey and prepared side dishes. Brian even set the table.

Melissa spent the morning reading and trying not to think about vampires. Her mother finished a story. The smell of food reached Melissa’s nose long before Brian announced dinner. In amazement, Melissa gazed at the festive table Brian had laid: lace tablecloth, her mother’s real silverware, and even a centerpiece of autumn leaves. Just last summer Brian scorned napkins. Gracing the table, in addition to the turkey, was a medley of roasted vegetables that included regular and sweet potatoes, cornbread, baking powder biscuits, and a salad Brian had tossed with a special dressing he made. Yesterday, her mother had prepared trifle and her traditional pumpkin log with cream cheese filling. The table looked so good no one wanted to touch it.

No one, that is, except Brian. “I mean, we made all this food to eat, right?”

Try this recipe on the Sue's Diner page on the BryonySeries website. 

But try the recipe this week. It will be gone some time next week. A new recipe will take it's place. 

All proceeds from Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony." are donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties

If you have any troubleshooting questions or comments, email us at bryonyseries@gmail.com. 

By the way, Sue's Diner is only real in the BryonySeries world. But didn't Timothy do a great job making the page look like a real menu at a vintage diner?

Here is the full diner page: bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner. You can't really order, of course (wouldn't it be great if you could?).

For more BryonySeries recipes, check out our three cookbooks at our BryonySeries bryonyseries.com/general-store.

Sue's Diner: Pumpkin Roll

If you'd like to serve a  pumpkin dessert for your Thanksgiving dinner that isn't pie, we have a good one to share with you today.

This week's recipe is "Pumpkin Roll," which Sarah submitted for the BryonySeries cookbook Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony." 

Here is an excerpt from Bryony that puts the recipe in context:

Steve arrived at the cottage early Thanksgiving morning, and Brian was up to meet him. Together, they babysat the turkey and prepared side dishes. Brian even set the table.

Melissa spent the morning reading and trying not to think about vampires. Her mother finished a story. The smell of food reached Melissa’s nose long before Brian announced dinner. In amazement, Melissa gazed at the festive table Brian had laid: lace tablecloth, her mother’s real silverware, and even a centerpiece of autumn leaves. Just last summer Brian scorned napkins. Gracing the table, in addition to the turkey, was a medley of roasted vegetables that included regular and sweet potatoes, cornbread, baking powder biscuits, and a salad Brian had tossed with a special dressing he made. Yesterday, her mother had prepared trifle and her traditional pumpkin log with cream cheese filling. The table looked so good no one wanted to touch it.

No one, that is, except Brian. “I mean, we made all this food to eat, right?”

Try this recipe on the Sue's Diner page on the BryonySeries website. 

But try the recipe this week. It will be gone some time next week. A new recipe will take it's place. 

All proceeds from Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony." are donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties

If you have any troubleshooting questions or comments, email us at bryonyseries@gmail.com. 

By the way, Sue's Diner is only real in the BryonySeries world. But didn't Timothy do a great job making the page look like a real menu at a vintage diner?

Here is the full diner page: bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner. You can't really order, of course (wouldn't it be great if you could?).

For more BryonySeries recipes, check out our three cookbooks at our BryonySeries bryonyseries.com/general-store.

Sue's Diner: Easy Berry Trifle

My mother, Virginia Schonbachler, contributed this recipe to the BryonySeries cookbook Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony."

She often made it for holiday gatherings when my children were growing up because the kids liked it so much. It is easy-to-prepare and a good "extra" dessert to serve at Thanksgiving for people who don't like pumpkin pie.

We renamed it Darlene's Trifle for the cookbook because in Bryony, the protagonist's mother also made this recipe for Thanksgiving dinner.

Try this recipe on the Sue's Diner page on the BryonySeries website. 

But try the recipe this week. It will be gone some time next week. A new recipe will take it's place. 

All proceeds from  Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony." benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties.

Order the cookbook from the BryonySeries store or from Amazon.

If you have any troubleshooting questions or comments, email us at bryonyseries@gmail.com. 

By the way, Sue's Diner is only real in the BryonySeries world. But didn't Timothy do a great job making the page look like a real menu at a vintage diner?

Here is the full diner page: bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner. You can't really order, of course (wouldn't it be great if you could?).

For more BryonySeries recipes, check out our three cookbooks at our BryonySeries bryonyseries.com/general-store.

Sue's Diner: Pumpkin Roll

Good morning!

I shared the following "Thanksgiving" story last week.

But for those who missed it, I'm sharing it again - along with a new recipe.

Why am I sharing the same story again?

Because someone who isn't celebrating a "traditional" Thanksgiving might feel encouraged by it.

Because Thanksgiving happens more in the heart than on the table.

Feast well, dear readers!

When our family delivered thousands of newspapers each night in the middle of the night, Thanksgiving week was the most challenging week of the year.

The newspapers themselves were enormous, which took longer to prepare for delivery, and often required multiple trips for delivery.

Because the holiday season would officially begin with that publication (at least in the newspaper world), newsroom deadlines were right and we had more pre-stuffing of ads for us and the kids customers, for other newspaper carriers would pay my children (at the rate of $5 per hundred) to do the stuffing for them.

This meant we had more work as a family while simultaneously losing the help of one member (me) for part of the time.

For many years, we arrived home too late and, quite frankly, too tired to cook a proper Thanksgiving dinner, since we would be back on our feet again in a few hours.

So we created our own tradition: poor boys, kettle chips, raw vegetables platter, and pumpkin pie. That dinner is still part of our Thanksgiving weekend tradition.

But a few years ago, with those midnight days behind us, we began a new tradition: building our Thanksgiving dinner around the recipes in the BryonySeries cookbook: Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony."

Like the recipe I'm sharing with you today.

Each week for the next three weeks, I'll share one of those recipes with you on the Sue's Diner page on the BryonySeries website. 

This week's recipe is "Pumpkin Roll," which Sarah submitted for the cookbook.

If you want to keep it, copy and save it. It will be gone some time next week. A new recipe will take it's place. 

Of course, it would you like all the recipes, order the cookbook from the BryonySeries store or Amazon. 

All proceeds are donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties.

By the way, Sue's Diner is only real in the BryonySeries world. But didn't Timothy do a great job making the page look like a real menu at a vintage diner?

Here is the full diner page: bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner. You can't really order, of course (wouldn't it be great if you could?).

For more BryonySeries recipes, check out our three cookbooks at our BryonySeries bryonyseries.com/general-store.

Sue's Diner: Roasted Root Vegetable Medley

When our family delivered thousands of newspapers each night in the middle of the night, Thanksgiving week was the most challenging week of the year.

The newspapers themselves were enormous, which took longer to prepare for delivery, and often required multiple trips for delivery.

Because the holiday season would officially begin with that publication (at least in the newspaper world), newsroom deadlines were right and we had more pre-stuffing of ads for us and the kids customers, for other newspaper carriers would pay my children (at the rate of $5 per hundred) to do the stuffing for them.

This meant we had more work as a family while simultaneously losing the help of one member (me) for part of the time.

For many years, we arrived home too late and, quite frankly, too tired to cook a proper Thanksgiving dinner, since we would be back on our feet again in a few hours.

So we created our own tradition: poor boys, kettle chips, raw vegetables platter, and pumpkin pie. That dinner is still part of our Thanksgiving weekend tradition.

But a few years ago, with those midnight days behind us, we began a new tradition: building our Thanksgiving dinner around the recipes in the BryonySeries cookbook: Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony."

Like the recipe I'm sharing with you today.

Each week for the next three weeks, I'll share one of those recipes with you on the Sue's Diner page on the BryonySeries website. 

This week's recipe is "Roasted Root Vegetable Medley," which Sarah submitted for the cookbook.

If you want to keep it, copy and save it. It will be gone some time next week. A new recipe will take it's place. 

Of course, it would you like all the recipes, order the cookbook from the BryonySeries store or Amazon. 

All proceeds are donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties.

PS: Did you catch Original Bertrand's photo bomb in the photo?

By the way, Sue's Diner is only real in the BryonySeries world. But didn't Timothy do a great job making the page look like a real menu at a vintage diner?

Here is the full diner page: bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner. You can't really order, of course (wouldn't it be great if you could?).

For more BryonySeries recipes, check out our three cookbooks at our BryonySeries bryonyseries.com/general-store.

Sue's Diner: Easy Trifle

Each week for the last couple of weeks, I've featured one selected recipe from the Thanksgiving menu that's featured in the BryonySeries cookbook: Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony," which is a permament fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties.

All of these recipes are referenced in the novel Bryony. The complete menu is found in the cookbook.

Here is the explanation from the cookbook:

For the Marchellis’ first Thanksgiving in Munsonville, Melissa’s little brother Brian shows off the depth of his newly acquired culinary skills, under the direction of his mentor, Steve Barnes, the village maintenance man.

This week, I'm featuring the trifle recipe that Melissa and Brian's mother prepared. The recipe is actually my own mother's, and she often served it for Thanksgiving and other festive dinners. It is pictured in the back of this photo of the right.

In fact, everything in this photo is featured in Memories in the Kitchen: the turkey, the cornbread, the roasted root vegetables (hiding next to the cornbread behind the turkey), the salad dressing and the pumpkin roll.

Now, you won't be able to receive a print copy before Thanksgiving (unless you live near me, and you arrange for pickup), but you can download a Kindle version now.

You can try the easy trifle recipe on the Sue's Diner page on the BryonySeries website. Proceeds from the Kindle version also benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties.

But try the recipe this week. It will be gone some time next week. A new non-Thanksgiving recipe will take it's place.

By the way, Sue's Diner is only real in the BryonySeries world. But didn't Timothy do a great job making the page look like a real menu at a vintage diner?

Here is the full diner page: bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner. You can't really order, of course (wouldn't it be great if you could?).

For more BryonySeries recipes, check out our three cookbooks at our BryonySeries bryonyseries.com/general-store.

Sue's Diner: Pumpkin Roll

Each week for the next couple of weeks, I'm planning to feature one selected recipe from the Thanksgiving menu that's featured in the BryonySeries cookbook: Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony," which is a permament fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties.

All of these recipes are referenced in the novel Bryony. The complete menu is found in the cookbook.

Here is the explanation from the cookbook:

For the Marchellis’ first Thanksgiving in Munsonville, Melissa’s little brother Brian shows off the depth of his newly acquired culinary skills, under the direction of his mentor, Steve Barnes, the village maintenance man.

You can try the pumpkin roll recipe, which is Sarah's recipe, on the Sue's Diner page on the BryonySeries website. 

But try the recipe this week. It will be gone some time next week. A new recipe from the BryonySeries Thanksgiving menu will take it's place.

By the way, Sue's Diner is only real in the BryonySeries world. But didn't Timothy do a great job making the page look like a real menu at a vintage diner?

Here is the full diner page: bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner. You can't really order, of course (wouldn't it be great if you could?).

For more BryonySeries recipes, check out our three cookbooks at our BryonySeries bryonyseries.com/general-store.

Sue's Diner: Turkey Stuffing

Each week for the next couple of weeks, I'm planning to feature one selected recipe from the Thanksgiving menu that's featured in the BryonySeries cookbook: Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony," which is a permament fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties.

All of these recipes are referenced in the novel Bryony. The complete menu is found in the cookbook.

Here is the explanation from the cookbook:

For the Marchellis’ first Thanksgiving in Munsonville, Melissa’s little brother Brian shows off the depth of his newly acquired culinary skills, under the direction of his mentor, Steve Barnes, the village maintenance man.

You can try the stuffing recipe, which is my mother's recipe, on the Sue's Diner page on the BryonySeries website. 

I apologize for not having a better photo at this time. But a picture of the stuffing is on the back of the plate, between the roasted root vegetables and the Bertrand the Mouse photo bomb.

But try the recipe this week. It will be gone some time next week. A new recipe from the BryonySeries Thanksgiving menu will take it's place.

By the way, Sue's Diner is only real in the BryonySeries world. But didn't Timothy do a great job making the page look like a real menu at a vintage diner?

Here is the full diner page: bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner. You can't really order, of course (wouldn't it be great if you could?).

For more BryonySeries recipes, check out our three cookbooks at our BryonySeries bryonyseries.com/general-store.

Bored? Here Are Nine Potentially Fun Suggestions

I finally had some time Tuesday to fix the BryonySeries calendar, so I started sharing the activities for each day on social media yesterday

Here is a list for the first ten. Pick out the one (s) that capture your attention. Each activity has a BryonySeries rationale and a link to the book that inspired it.

And please check back each day. It was Timothy's idea to have a daily calendar of events. While it's time-consuming to assemble it (and I often screw up the size of the date boxes), it stretches my creativity to think outside the box - not a bad idea, right?

Hope some of these virtual events stretches your creativity, too - and bring joy to your life and the lives of those you.

And here you go!

Nov. 1: How much do you know about blood? Take the quiz.

Nov. 2: Check out some kid-friendly crafts for showing appreciation.

Nov. 3: Make a pumpkin volcano.

Nov. 4: Make and taste Thanksgiving recipes from the 1970s.

Nov. 5: Check out WriteOn Joliet. Our anthologies make great gifts.

Nov. 6: Make and taste authentic Thanksgiving recipes from the Victorian era.

Nov. 7: Plan a different Thanksgiving menu this year: go Irish.

Nov. 8: Ever make fake blood? Here's how.

Nov. 9: Make a paper bag turkey - and then "feed" it. Great counting activity for kids.

Nov. 10: Explore a pumpkin with this kid-friendly activity.

Illustration is from the official BryonySeries cookbook: "Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony."

All proceeds benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties.

Community News: Nov. 21, 2018

A variety of recipes and food resources for you to check out!


Local food events: Nov. 21 through Nov. 28 

https://www.theherald-news.com/2018/11/18/local-food-events-nov-21-through-nov-28/ansd41y/


IDPH offers tips for safe holiday cooking 

https://www.theherald-news.com/2018/11/18/idph-offers-tips-for-safe-holiday-cooking/aqq1px1/


CDC and FDA investigating multistate E.coli outbreak 

https://www.theherald-news.com/2018/11/21/cdc-and-fda-investigating-multistate-e-coli-outbreak/az2jzof/


Celebrate the food processor by making a nice bowl of hummus

https://www.theherald-news.com/2018/11/19/celebrate-the-food-processor-by-making-a-nice-bowl-of-hummus/axpiih0/


The secret to this applesauce cake is cider and dried apples 

https://www.theherald-news.com/2018/11/19/the-secret-to-this-applesauce-cake-is-cider-and-dried-apples/ayk8oz8/


The way to make an evenly brown, shiny crusted challah loaf

https://www.theherald-news.com/2018/11/19/the-way-to-make-an-evenly-brown-shiny-crusted-challah-loaf/atm3yhu/


A streamlined version of New Mexican pork and hominy stew

https://www.theherald-news.com/2018/11/19/bc-us-food-column-atk-chipotle-pork-and-hominy-stew/avqwk2k/


Great glazed chicken is possible, thanks to a beer can 

https://www.theherald-news.com/2018/11/19/great-glazed-chicken-is-possible-thanks-to-a-beer-can/aluf033/


Steve and Brian's Thanksgiving dinner: all the recipes

https://www.bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner


Food resources in Will, Grundy counties  

https://www.theherald-news.com/2018/11/15/food-resources-in-will-grundy-counties/abxtfbg/


Sign up for the Will County Go Guide

http://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/will-county-go-guide/#//


Sign up for the LocalLit Short Story Newsletter

http://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/locallit/


Sign up for The Munsonville Times

https://www.bryonyseries.com/munsonville-times

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony." Follow him at www.facebook.com/artbymattcoundiff 

Sue's Diner: Thanksgiving Dinner

Tomorrow and Tuesday I'll recap two absolutely glorious days for this writer.

But for tonight, I give you Steve and Brian's entire Thanksgiving dinner. Try one or try all:

Steve’s Roast Turkey and Stuffing

Roasted Root Vegetable Medley

Traditional Cornbread

Biscuits

Salad Dressing

Darlene’s Trifle

Darlene’s Pumpkin Roll

For the recipes, visit https://www.bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner.

From "Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles From 'Bryony'"

All proceeds benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties at www.bbbswillgrundy.org.

Order the cookbook at www.bryonyseries.com.

Sue's Diner: The Complete Thanksgiving Dinner

For the Marchellis’ first Thanksgiving in Munsonville, Melissa’s little brother Brian shows off the depth of his newly acquired culinary skills, under the direction of his mentor, Steve Barnes, the village maintenance man.

Steve and Brian won’t tell what’s in Steve’s secret dressing, but if it’s anything like this one, you can bet it was delicious.

As promised on last Sunday's Sue's Diner blog, I've posted all the recipes to the dinner. You can find them HERE. Try any or all of them.

The entire feast is pictured below. For individual photos, click HERE.

A HUGE  "thank you" to Rebekah Baran for preparing it, (with Daniel Baran assisting) and for Timothy Baran plating the entire meal photo.

And remember, all proceeds from Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony" benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties.

This one shows better highlights the roasted vegetables (ignore Bertrand's photo bomb)

Next Week on Sue's Diner: Recipes for a BryonySeries Thanksgiving Feast

Want to change it up this year?

How about preparing the Thanksgiving Day dinner featured in the Bryony?

For the Marchellis’ first Thanksgiving in Munsonville, Melissa’s little brother Brian shows off the depth of his newly acquired culinary skills, under the direction of his mentor, Steve Barnes, the village maintenance man.

Next Sunday (Nov. 19), I'll post recipes for the following on the Sue's Diner page at www.bryonyseries.com:

Steve’s Roast Turkey (brine and turkey recipes by Rachel Buchanan Savicz)

Steve's Stuffing (recipe by Virginia Schonbachler)

Roasted Root Vegetable Medley (recipe by Sarah Stegall)

Traditional Cornbread (recipe by Tutti Weiss)

Drop Biscuits (recipe by Rebekah Baran)

Salad Dressing (tastes like Thousand Island, recipe by Janet Cooney, salad by Timothy Baran)

Darlene’s Trifle (recipe by Virginia Schonbachler)

Darlene’s Pumpkin Roll (recipe by Sarah Stegall)

Rebekah, assisted by Daniel, cooked up this feast for us last week while I was at work. Timothy plated the entire meal (next week's photo), as well as the salad and desserts.

Needless, to say, we ate well for a couple of days!

Why, might you ask, would we cook a Thanksgiving Day dinner early?

One: I wanted to have photos to share with you, in case you'd like to try some of all of the recipes this year.

Two: Our traditional Thanksgiving Day dinner is comprised of poor boys, kettle-cooked chips, and pumpkin pie (Don't judge us), a Frankensteined tradition born our of my mother working in retail and hosting Thanksgiving at her house on the Sunday before Thanksgiving; Thanksgiving deadlines for both newsroom, routes and insert customers; too tired after meeting those deadlines; and, now still too tired after working long hours to want to cook up a feast on a day we're not working.

Besides, now that some of the adult kids work in the culinary industry, they, too, don't want to waste a precious day off in the vacation. It's far, far better to cook on a work day (or a working weekend).

So we did. Or rather, THEY did. 

But I enjoyed every scrap.

And maybe, just maybe, Rebekah will make some pumpkin rolls instead (or along with) pumpkin pie.

BTW, if you'd like a cookbook, proceeds benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties. Order a cookbook HERE.

And if you didn't try out last week's recipe (cinnamon coffee cake), it will remain up for another week. Find that recipe on the Sue's Diner page HERE.