Thanksgiving!

I know, I know...you are all anxiously awaiting what we will fete on for Thanksgiving. Between now and after Jan 1 is one of my favorite times of the year, for so many reasons. I love the side of me that delves into the spirit of the festivities. I'm the one who gets the computer all set up to watch Santa's journey through NORAD. Daughter #1 will be Santa's helper this year, as she learned some things about how he works. I won't mind one bit that I get laughed at for continuing to put on SantaTracker--I get so excited!

So, now...here's what I'm taking about...Thanksgiving Dinner. There have been two times in my life where I have been ill on Thanksgiving. First time...I was about 12 and spent the day on my grandmother's couch unable to ingest anything other than Sprite. It's a sad story. Last year we hosted the entire Duffy clan and I came down with a virus. Hubby-bubs had to go to work that AM, so I spent the morning on the couch with ibuprofin to take my fever down, watching the Thanksgiving Day parade and doing my best to give the Daughters instructions on what to do. I rallied until almost through dinner. I had my pumpkin pie in bed, made by sister-in-law and delivered by Daughter #1.

This year is bound to be different. We have just my mom and Jim coming so it will be a smaller affair, but that doesn't mean it's not worthy of a good effort. So...here you go:

Turkey: I ordered my fresh turkey from our fave meat market--Kincaids. Walking into that place is liking walking through a time machine. I'm an instantly back as a child at South Bend's Farmer's Market. Fresh is best, in my mind. And it's not that much more than frozen. Anyhoo--Hubby-bubs is in charge of the turkey. He's done a variety of things...even soaking the bird in a brine overnight (which required him getting up at 3 am to turn the bird). Last year, it was simply butter, salt, pepper and an aluminum foil tent. It was FABO. Why make it hard, when it can be easy and sooo tasty!

Stuffing: we don't stuff our turkey, so I guess technically this is dressing. Again, we've done simple and complicated. This year, I'm following Betty Crocker and adding spices that we like. Do what you love.

I'm doing my sister's green bean casserole which calls for shiitake mushrooms. Then, mashed taters, sweet potato casserole, apple salad (also known as Waldorf salad) and rolls.

Dessert is apple pie with cinnamon ice cream and pumpkin pie with whipped cream.