Spiced Cranberries

Is it just me, or are you jumping up and down with excitement for Thanksgiving too?? I get like this every year. As soon as mid-October hits, I go pumpkin crazy. I'm talking pumpkin candles, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies (don't judge me until you've tried them), pumpkin spice coffee creamer, pumpkin spice coffee (OMG!), pumpkin praline king cake (yep...that's right. The king cake is making a reappearance in the good ole' South more than once a year now!), and I rediscover my burning passion for pecans. Which comes....maybe three times a year? My mom can eat them by the handful at any given moment, but I (apparently) have to be in the mood for them. I'm annoying, I know. 

By the first of November we had our Thanksgiving menu planned out. I'm a major traditionalist when it comes to certain holidays. As in, Ithrowafitifsomeonesuggestsmashedpotatoesinsteadofsweetpotatocasserole type traditionalist. I'm more lenient with every other holiday in the year, but touch Thanksgiving and you have to deal with me. 

Thanksgiving is by far my favorite holiday (in case you haven't guessed by now). I love the scent of Fall, the cool weather, the bonfires (which have to include smores in order to count), and sweaters. I don't have to worry if someone got left off of my gift list. There's no Easter bunny to contend with and no costumes to get into (unless your name is Rachel and you happen to be my sister).  Thanksgiving is a time that you get to honestly enjoy your family and see how truly blessed you are. To see that God's unending love and grace never fail. Thanksgiving should be every day!

I got brave this past Monday and went to Wal-Mart. That was a dumb idea. It was packed beyond belief, but I actually kept my cool. I should get some star points for that! My uncharacteristically good mood increased almost immediately in the produce department when I reached for 4 bags of fresh cranberries. A lady next to me was picking out a bag of grapes when she said "what are you going to do with those?" gesturing to the cranberries now in my buggy. I smiled and answered back "I'm making cranberry sauce!" The look on her face made me laugh because it was a mixture of disbelief, shock, and desire. "Really? How do you do that?" She asked. I proceeded to tell her how we make cranberry sauce at home. Seeing that we only make it once a year, I couldn't remember the measurements, but I assured her that it wasn't hard at all and that she should "just get a bag and try it out!" 

There was a recipe on the back of the bag of cranberries, so she dropped one in her buggy and smiled. "You must not be from the South." She said. "Yes ma'am, I was born and raised here." I said with a grin. "How close to here is close?" She asked, still not convinced. I made a reference to our local hospital and the shock on her face made me laugh. "I guess you are from here! You don't sound Southern!" She answered. "I guess I have my momma to thank for that. She made sure that I didn't grow up sounding like a redneck." We exchanged a few more words and I put in another plug for the fresh cranberry sauce saying "if you like the canned stuff, you're definitely going to like it fresh!"

So, in honor of tomorrow being Thanksgiving (yayayayayayay!!) I'm going to share my family's recipe for Spiced Cranberry Sauce. Make sure to pair it with your Turkey, Cornbread Dressing, Sweet Potato Casserole, and all of the other delicacies of the day. I know you're going to love it! 

Happy Thanksgiving & Happy eating,

~HB~
Spiced Cranberry Sauce

3/4 cup Water
1 1/2 cups Sugar
3 in. stick Cinnamon
1 package (12 ounce) Cranberries
Orange Rind

    Combine water and sugar in a saucepan. Add cinnamon and orange rind. Bring to a boil; stir until sugar is dissolved. Add cranberries and boil rapidly until the berries just pop, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and chill. Remove cinnamon stick and orange rind. Serve with your Thanksgiving meal and enjoy!