Easy Turkey Crescent Ring

Posted on November 2, 2026October 31, 2026 by Dusty Roads | No Comments

Turkey Ring: A Mini Thanksgiving Feast

The calendar has just turned to November. The Halloween candy is still sitting in bags from trick-or-treating, and all I can think about is turkey!

I love turkey, and it’s not always easy to find year-round.

There is one small sandwich shop I know that serves amazing turkey sandwiches. I used to stop by at least once a month, but without a car, that’s not an option anymore.

D’Angelo’s has a turkey sub called the Thanksgiving that’s available year-round, and when I get desperate, it helps. But it’s just not the same.

So now I’m watching the grocery flyers to see what kind of turkey deals will be available this year. In the meantime, I was thinking about having a little mini Thanksgiving feast just to get in the mood.

That’s where the Turkey Ring comes in. It’s easy to make and includes all your holiday favorites in one delicious snack.

Step 1: Create the Ring

Place a can of cranberry sauce in the center of a large cookie sheet or pizza pan. For now, the can is simply a placeholder to help you shape the ring.

Open one or two cans of Pillsbury Crescent Rolls, depending on how large you’d like the ring to be.

Arrange the crescent roll triangles around the cranberry sauce can with the wide ends pointing toward the center and the tips pointing outward. Overlap the dough slightly if needed. When you’re finished, it should resemble a large flower.

Step 2: Add the Filling

Place a layer of turkey slices on each crescent roll triangle.

Top the turkey with prepared stuffing. Stove Top works perfectly for this recipe.

Open the cranberry sauce and add a spoonful on top of the stuffing.

Some people even add mashed potatoes.

Step 3: Roll It Up

Fold and roll the crescent dough around the filling, forming a complete ring.

If desired, brush the dough with an egg wash for a beautiful golden-brown finish.

Step 4: Bake

Remove the cranberry sauce can from the center.

Bake at 375°F for approximately 15 minutes, or until the crescent rolls are golden brown.

Step 5: Serve

While the ring is baking, heat a jar of turkey gravy and pour it into a small bowl.

When the Turkey Ring comes out of the oven, place the bowl of gravy in the center of the ring and serve immediately.

A Great Way to Use Leftovers

One of the best things about this recipe is that it works just as well after Thanksgiving.

Simply substitute leftover turkey for the deli turkey and use your homemade stuffing and cranberry sauce. It’s a delicious way to transform leftovers into an entirely new meal.

And if you’re like me and already thinking about Thanksgiving before Halloween candy is even gone, this little Turkey Ring might be just the thing to hold you over until the big feast arrives.

Looking Back at the Rich History of the Presidential Turkey Pardon

Posted on December 4, 2025November 30, 2025 by Dusty Roads

Yes,, I know Thanksgiving was last week but Gobble and Waddle are still giving thanks if they have any idea of the fate they escaped.

A Lighthearted Tradition Amid Serious Times

Every November, the White House sets aside politics for a moment of levity: the presidential turkey pardon. This year, President Donald Trump granted clemency to Gobble and Waddle, continuing a tradition that has become as quintessentially American as pumpkin pie. The ceremony, now in its 78th year, offers humor, gratitude, and a touch of whimsy against the backdrop of Washington’s otherwise weighty affairs.

Lincoln’s First Act of Mercy

The roots of the turkey pardon stretch back to 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln spared a bird at the request of his young son, Tad. The turkey, affectionately named Jack, was destined for the family’s Christmas table until Tad intervened. Lincoln’s compassion set the stage for what would later evolve into a national ritual.

Truman’s Myth and Kennedy’s Gesture

Though often credited with beginning the tradition, Harry Truman never officially pardoned a turkey. The Truman Library confirms that the birds presented to him in the late 1940s were likely eaten. The first modern gesture of mercy came from John F. Kennedy in 1963, when he famously said, “Let’s keep him going,” sparing a 55-pound bird just days before his assassination.

Reagan, Bush, and the Formalization of the Pardon

In the 1980s, Ronald Reagan began sending turkeys to farms rather than the dinner table, joking about “pardons” during the Iran-Contra scandal. But it was George H.W. Bush in 1989 who officially declared a presidential pardon, ensuring the bird’s survival. Since then, every president has upheld the tradition, with Barack Obama pardoning the most—16 turkeys during his two terms.

Life After the White House

Pardoned turkeys don’t simply fade into obscurity. Many retire to farms, universities, or agricultural centers, serving as quirky ambassadors for American farming. Gobble and Waddle, this year’s stars, will enjoy retirement at North Carolina State University’s Prestage Department of Poultry Science. Meanwhile, millions of other turkeys—about 46 million each Thanksgiving—still meet a far less fortunate fate.

A Tradition of Humor and Humanity

From Lincoln’s compassion to Bush’s formal proclamation, the turkey pardon reflects both the lighter side of presidential power and the enduring appeal of Thanksgiving. It’s a reminder that even in the halls of government, there’s room for humor, kindness, and a nod to the nation’s agricultural roots.

Sources: TIME, CBS News, Yahoo News, USA Today, History.com, Wikipedia

Turkey Ring

Posted on November 2, 2025October 29, 2025 by Dusty Roads | 8 Comments

A Cozy Twist on Thanksgiving: The Turkey Ring

I was cruising through Facebook, checking in on my Welcoming Haven ads, when a video caught my eye—something about Thanksgiving leftovers. Intrigued, I paused my scroll and gave it a watch. What unfolded was a delightfully clever idea that instantly sparked my curiosity. Why wait for leftovers? Since it’s just me this year, I thought, why not make my entire Thanksgiving dinner this way?

So without further ado, let me introduce you to the Turkey Ring—a simple, savory, and oh-so-satisfying dish that wraps all the classic flavors of Thanksgiving into one golden-brown bundle.

My first Try

How to Make It

Start by placing a can of cranberry sauce in the center of a sheet pan. The video used a round pizza pan, but I made do with a cookie sheet—use what you have! Then, open a can of Pillsbury crescent rolls and arrange the dough around the cranberry can in a starburst pattern. The wide ends should point inward, overlapping slightly around the center.

the layout

Now comes the fun part: on each triangle, layer a small spoonful of stuffing, a slice of cranberry sauce, and a piece of turkey. Fold the narrow end of the dough over the filling and tuck it underneath to secure. Brush the tops with a light egg wash for that irresistible golden finish.

Bake at 375°F, following the crescent roll instructions, until the ring is puffed and beautifully browned. Be sure you remove the cranberry sauce can before you put the ring in the oven

The Grand Finale

Once it’s out of the oven, place a small bowl of warm gravy in the center. The result? A stunning centerpiece that’s as tasty as it is charming. Just slice, dip, and enjoy!

The Professional

Whether you’re flying solo or feeding a small crowd, this Turkey Ring is a festive way to savor the season—with minimal fuss and maximum flavor.

Need to watch the video? Click here

Credit Home Hacks and Easy Snacks

There’s Something about a Classic Diner

Posted on August 30, 2015August 30, 2015 by Dusty Roads

The last time I caught up with my cousin Kathy it was at Lester’s Diner in Fort Lauderdale, FL. At the time I thought, such a fun atmosphere, just like something out of the 50’s. I didn’t give it much more thought after that.

Of course Johnny Rockets seems to have a huge following but it isn’t really a diner. It’s a fast food restaurant found in malls where it pretends to be a diner.

So when I saw an article in the AAA South Eastern Massachusetts magazine about diners in Massachusetts I decided to check one of them out.

I picked Dave’s Diner in Middleboro because it isn’t that far from me and convenience in an eating place is important. Who wants to drive for 2 hours for a 30 minute lunch? I’d say only food critics or reviewers.

So anyway on a nice, sunny Sunday afternoon I headed out to locate Dave’s. My neighbor told me to be prepared to find it very busy and she was right but even with a full parking lot, I was seated right away. I was given a choice of indoor or outdoor seating.

Outdoor was tempting as the outside seating season in Mass is short but it was pretty hot and humid so I stayed inside in the air conditioning.

The menus were on the table. There was an impressive list of specials clipped to the front. My waitress came right over to take my drink order while I waded through the menu. One thing that impressed me is that they had a section of smaller meals for people with a “smaller appetite”. That was in addition to a kid’s menu. I like that!

I had my eye out for a open faced turkey sandwich. I haven’t found a good one in Massachusetts in all the years I’ve lived here. Every time I visit my sister I insist that we have at least one meal at a restaurant called the Peppermill. They have the best open faced Turkey sandwich so I get my “fix” there.

But diner food should include an open faced sandwich and sure enough Dave’s had Grandma Elsie’s Hot Turkey Sandwich.

It was huge, way more food than I need for lunch but it looked great. I dug in and it was pretty tasty. Using Texas Toast for the bread was a great touch. My only complaint was that it needed more gravy. I’m sure they would have brought more if I’d asked but it was pretty clear that I wasn’t going to be able to finish everything so why waste more food.

Bottom line, the Peppermill’s open faced sandwich is still better than Dave’s but there is no shame in placing 2nd. And Dave’s is much closer than South Glens Falls, NY! The meal is more than enough food for an average size appetite and probably plenty for the big appetite too. I would recommend it and will be going back.

If you are looking for the Diner it’s right on RT 28 in Middleboro. The official address for GPS is 390 W. Grove St, Middleboro, MA 02346