Hello from LittleShamrocks.com,

November is here and it is the unofficial beginning of the holiday season. Here in the USA we celebrate Thanksgiving Day on the 4th Thursday in November. We cook all of the recently reaped vegetables like squash and pumpkins for side dishes and pies. And, of course, we always have a roast turkey with all the trimmings, including my Tyna’s Famous Turkey Stuffing.

Roast Turkey	Tyna’s Famous Turkey Stuffing

Our Thanksgiving began at Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts, where the Pilgrims had first set foot in the new world in 1620, and where they created a new society after their flight from England seeking more religious freedom.

Pilgrims Going to Church Giclee Print Buy at AllPosters.com

In 1621, the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast, which is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations. A game bird native to North America, the turkey, has become synonymous with Thanksgiving dinner. This feast was actually in keeping with the same tradition of celebrating the harvest and giving thanks for a successful bounty of crops.

Thanksgiving Day - Pilgrim Dinner Scene Giclee Print Buy at AllPosters.com

Most ancient civilizations worldwide, including the Celts, had similar observances to celebrate the harvest, and the tradition was passed down through the ages. Native American groups throughout the Americas organized harvest festivals, ceremonial dances, and other celebrations of thanks for centuries before the arrival of Europeans in North America. Thanksgiving Day was designated as a national holiday in 1863 by President Abraham Lincoln, at the urging of Sarah Josepha Buell Hale. Ms. Hale is one of our town’s most famous citizens, who was the author of the children’s song “Mary Had a Little Lamb”.

November is also the time that we start compiling our lists for holiday gift giving. This is just a reminder that LittleShamrocks.com has a large array of Irish food gift items, especially gift baskets

Traditional Irish Food Gift Basket

The Bakers Irish Basket

At this time of year, cookies and chocolates are packaged for the holidays with festive boxes or tins.

FoodIreland.com Holiday Items

We also have many non-food items such as cookbooks, Waterford Crystal and Aran Irish Knit Sweaters. This may also be a time to give the cook in your family one of the many kitchen appliances or utensils from Cooking.com.

In America, the day after Thanksgiving is known as ‘Black Friday’. This is traditionally the busiest day of Christmas shopping, and all of the stores go from being in the red to being in the black. Accounting departments in these stores just love Black Friday.

Noeleen McCool has sent me a recipe for Fruit Bannock. This recipe was made by her parents as she was growing up. It is a delicious white soda bread loaded with sultanas. You’re going to love it, and it is easy to make.

Towards the end of November, keep your eyes open for holiday desert recipes like Irish Whiskey Cake, Christmas Pudding, Holiday Cheesecake, Whiskey Eggnog Cheesecake or a novelty cake to please the children at your Christmas table.

Irish Whiskey Cake	Christmas Bread Pudding
Irish Whiskey Eggnog Cheesecake	Deluxe Holiday Cheesecake

Jolly Santa Cake & Festive Christmas Tree Cake


Some of the cakes with spirits included need to be fermented for 3 or 4 weeks. If you wish to make it to be ready for Christmas, you will need to start it by the end of November. I wish you all a Very Happy Thanksgiving.

Sláinte,
Tyna