Thanksgiving count down..

It is that time of year, it is getting cool out, christmas is knocking on our door and you have giving out halloween candy to the little munchkins or zombies as the cause was this year. Since I have moved into my house, thanksgiving has been the one holiday where I didn’t have to travel and I was able to cook for my family and friends.

Now I know you might be thinking.. but you do cook for your family and friends. BBQs and birthday parties are a completely different beast than a thanksgiving feast. Thanksgiving is a time for giving thanks and this year, I feel that I have a lot to be thankful for.

During the past few weeks an email has been sent out to the invites. They have picked what they would like to see at thanksgiving and what they are going to bring. This is very helpful to the host because then you don’t have to make everything. What is going to be at my thanksgiving?

Apps

Veggie Tray
Fruit Tray
Bread Bowl
Cheese platter

Drinks

Mulled Cider (with the option of cinnamon schnaps)
Coffee
Tea
Cranberry Lemon/Lime Soda
Red Wine
White Wine

Dinner

Turkey
Ham
Oyster Dressing
Two kinds of Stuffing
Mashed Potatoes with garlic, rosemary and sour cream
Sweet Potatoes
Green Bean Casserole
Broccoli Casserole
Cranberry Sauce whole and jellied
Gravy
Rolls

Dessert

Apple Pie

Pumpkin Pie

It might seem like a lot and it probably is, but I like thanksgiving to be an all day affair that can start at noon and go until six (or more) that night. I love the house full of friends/family, the smell of cooking turkey and laughter.  But how can a host not feel the pressure of thanksgiving? Time management and delegation!

The delegation process has been started and it is four days until thanksgiving. Today, I purchased a turkey that is big enough to feed my people and to have leftovers. That will be hanging out in the fridge until thursday morning.

Monday and Tuesday – I will start cleaning the house so that I don’t have to stress about it too much on Thursday.

Wednesday, I will go shopping for the items I need (I would love to go shopping earlier but pay checks are important for that) and I will make the cranberry sauce. I would also make the pies that night, but this year the pies are in the hands of another.

Thursday.. I will not wake up at the crack of dawn to put the turkey in. This is one of the reasons why I like to eat later in the day. Then I will start getting the apps ready the only thing I will need to cook is the spinach dip I am going to have for the bread bowl. After that it is just prep until I pull out the turkey and load the oven full of the sides.

Something I have learned to help me through the day.. wear sneakers while I am cooking. With my back I have found that it really helps me last longer and not crumple onto the couch after dinner wanting to die.

As the days move towards Thanksgiving I will share some of the recipes that I will be working on. Happy Holidays!

What are you grateful for this year?

Thanksgiving.. and cooking for those you love

I am getting ready for Thanksgiving! I am making my grocery list, checking out recipes for things I would like to make and adjusting our menu. I really do love cooking for friends and family. As much as I stress about having a clean house and making sure there are enough food and drinks for everyone I love having parties or gatherings at our house.

I am also working out the schedule so I can try and be a little less stress free and have everything hot on the table at the same time. Here is what I am working on:

Tuesday- we are getting the turkey. While two days behind schedule for the food network people sometimes you just have to do what you gotta do.

Wednesday – Grocery shopping. Picking up the house (did a major clean on Saturday). Making three pies with homemade pie crust: pumpkin, apple and cherry. I am also going to make homemade cranberry sauce this night so that it is cooled and if I want to get fancy I can pour into a mold.

Thursday – Phew! Thank goodness Sir takes care of the turkey. But I am going to try and toss in some fresh thyme and rosemary from the garden along with the butter and spices he uses.

Appetizers – A rye bread bowl. Still tossing the idea of doing the veggie dip with artichokes or just a plain onion dip.

Drinks – Mulled Apple Cider and various sodas. I would love to have a few wine choices but that is not in our budget this year.

Sides – Oyster Stuffing (something only me and my mom will eat but I have to have it!). Garlic, Rosemary Red Potatoes mashed with butter and sour cream. Stuffing (my bf ellen is making it this year) but we don’t eat stuffing and want to have stove top too! Peas and onions, rolls, green been casserole, acorn squash and gravy.

What we have had in the past: Last year we did roasted brussel sprouts which we love but not many people ate because they don’t like brussel sprouts so this year we decided to not have those.  Creamed Corn – while this is something I grew up with not many people will eat it so while I like it, it doesn’t break my heart not to have it. Candied Yams – This is another thanksgiving staple that I grew up with but I have found that not many care for this either.

A tea party

Last year for my birthday I purchased a delicate rose patterned china set that included tea cups, saucers, plates and other dishes. Since that time I have wanted to have a tea party. So after our last babushka gathering I decided that I would put together a tea party for my friends and family.

My best friend Ellen (who makes amazing cards) made paper invites for me. Marie (who makes jewelry) made tea pot earring favors for all of my guests. I ordered special treats from Wellingtons and then made a menu.

I researched about what kind of tea that we were having and the differences between a high tea and a low tea.

I had a wonderful time setting up the table and making my tea sandwiches and deserts. I was so happy to have my friends and family there and to watch everyone socialize and laugh. While it was a lot of work, I loved fretting about the little details like the cloth napkins I made. What I loved the most was being with people I care about.

This was a part of the invites that I sent to everyone:

There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour

dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.

~Henry James, The Portrait of a Lady