Since Halloween has come and gone, and the stores are filled with Christmas stuff; it is time to start thinking about Thanksgiving.
image from here
Today I got the Halloween decorations taken down and the house is decorated for Thanksgiving. Well, as decorated as it gets. Mostly, I turned the jack o’ lanterns around so that they are just pumpkins, and I put away ghosts, and put up a turkey or two.
It’s kind of amazing that in a little over three weeks, we’ll be sitting down to the best feast of the year.
This year will be the first year that we will be with out extended family. We aren’t going to Utah, and I don’t think anyone is coming here (although I’m still holding out on that one). My sister that lives here is not going to be here and my brother will be with friends, I believe. Which means that for Thanksgiving it will be the five of us.
It also means that I will have to make Thanksgiving dinner. Me, who has never cooked a turkey. Me, who has never made mashed potatoes. Me, who has never made stuffing. I don’t even like stuffing and neither does Bryan but how do you have Thanksgiving with out a bowl of stuffing on the table?
So, I’m thinking about a menu. I’m thinking about something we could do that day to make it so that it isn’t just another day. One friend suggested going a movie. Another suggested going sledding on Mt. Hood. What do you guys do? Here’s what I’m thinking as far as menu planning: turkey, mashed potatoes, rolls, veggie tray, some deviled eggs, gravy, and pie (apple, banana cream and pumpkin). What else?
Please help. I feel the panic setting in. I need your help, inter-peeps!
10 comments:
I've heard movie theaters are packed on Thanksgiving - that must be a popular choice! Don't sweat the turkey - easiest thing you'll ever make I PROMISE. Call if you want to. :) You'll do great!
If you want to make a 5 hour trip south you are welcome to join us in Coos Bay. My mom would love it. Your menu sounds fantastic. Check out Pioneer Woman's cooking website. Her tutorial with pictures ensures that every dish turns out great and I honestly haven't make anything of hers that I didn't absolutely love. This year I'm making her "Fresh Corn Casserole."
No one here eats anything except me and I shouldn't be eating anything, so we quit trying so hard. We started a family tradition years ago going camping on Thanksgiving, everyone eats turkey jerky and dried cranberries and it's the only time of year it isn't hot.
This year we are going out of town and I feel weird and panicky because we are stepping out of tradition!
I say let the kids do something in advance, perhaps table decorations. Then they will look forward to Thanksgiving as that day they get to use their special creations.
The last few years we've gone to the beach and had clam chowder. It's our nontradiitional tradition. The ocean, no cooking, no dishes...what can beat that? Being with family, of course. But if that doesn't happen this year, wanna come with us? We could play games when we get home : )
Can't forget the sweet potatoes! It's the only time of year we ever have them!
We've kinda formed our own family of friends that also live here without nearby family. Makes for a fun tradition.
So I've done turkey and most of the dinner twice now, and it's not as hard as it sounds. I would suggest getting one of those turkey bags--a clear cellophane bag you cook the turkey in while in the oven. It worked great last year.
It's really not that hard. The hardest thing I think it orchestrating it all--making sure things are all ready on time. At our first house we had two ovens, and that was so nice. I think it made a big difference.
I think we're going to go light on the thanksgiving dinner this year, since it will probably just be the three of us, but Max has his heart set on breaking the wishbone, so we may have to get a turkey no matter what.
Oh, and do you have a Trader Joe's anywhere near you? I used their stuffing mix, gravy mix and a turkey from them last year and they turned out great.
Oh, and I think we'll be watching football and playing wii for most of the day after eating. :)
I should do sweet potatoes. Anyone know how? Another things I've never done. :)
I love the idea of having the kids make some decorations for the dinner table. Thanks, all!
We sometimes make a Christmas ornament to hang on the tree. It's fun. Good luck with everything that day.
p.s. I've never cooked a turkey either.
Our family has done the alone thing many times. I cry alot on that day because I miss my extended family, but it's still my fav holiday because the world hasn't figured out how to over-commercialize it.
My biggest tip? Don't cook a whole turkey. It is so much meat, we always end up wasting some because we can't finish it before it goes bad. So last year I just made a bone-in turkey breast and it was wonderful to not have a huge carcass to deal with!
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