I don’t know if you know this about me, but I am a bit of an organization nerd.
I feel like if you can stay organized, then when there’s a hiccup in the road, it’s much, much easier to deal with because you’ve got everything else all figured out.
Am I right or am I right? Seriously. Always be prepared. That’s my motto.
So here’s my Thanksgiving game plan. Or rather my to-do list for the next few days.
#2 Print out a list of the food I will be serving on Thanksgiving and stick it on the fridge. {My mother in law is in charge of appetizers and beverages} so I can check it off as I make the items.
- Jenni-O Turkey Breast {will be cooked in the Crock Pot}
- Gravy
- Cranberry sauce
- Mashed potatoes
- Amberlina’s sweet potato casserole
- Green beans
- Brown bread and butter
- Trader Joe’s pumpkin cheesecake
- Thomas Keller’s apple pie
#3 Find Hamish and Ruth {they’re in the barn somewhere}
#4 Pre Dinner Prep
- Make sure I have enough placemats and cloth napkins
- Hunt down glassware
- Find to-go containers {I think they’re in the barn}
- Find the conversation game I picked up a few weeks ago
- Set out the after meal activity {ie: Christmas decorations!!}
- Music – What kind of music do people play at Thanksgiving?
- Set table
- Remove to-do list from the fridge
- Relax
So that’s my Thanksgiving game plan. Have you figured out yours? Will you be trying any new recipes this week? Do tell. I’m always up for a new recipe.
Keep Calm and Carry On,
~Mavis
Mrs. C. says
Turkey
Gravy
Cranberry sauce
Biscuits
Enormous salad with homemade croutons and other goodies
Ina Garten’s mashed sweet potatoes
Mashed potatoes
Emeril’s artichoke bread pudding
Ina’s spinach gratin
Roasted Brussels sprouts with balsamic vinegar and blue cheese (Thanks, Mavis! This recipe is a hit!)
Friend is bringing dessert
Mavis Butterfield says
I’m going to look up Emeril’s artichoke bread pudding. Thanks for the idea.
Erin says
Our Thanksgiving is extra easy this year because life has been a little wild lately. Homemade gluten free cranberry & orange scones for the morning, Costco pie, TJ’s gluten free pumpkin muffins mix for the weekend, homemade zuppa toscana soup, store-bought rolls. For thanksgiving I like to play Christmas jazz music. It’s nice to have in the background but isn’t so in-your-face about Christmas. Feels like a nice way to transition. Looking forward to see your decorations! We close on our house next week & I can’t wait to decorate next year (we are gutting the kitchen & having the wood floors repaired right away, so no decorations this year).
Mavis Butterfield says
New houses are always so exciting!!!
Wendy C says
We did Thanksgiving at my mom’s house on Saturday and one of the things I brought was mashed potatoes. I made instant mashed potatoes as directed and then layered them in a hot crockpot like this: Layer of potatoes, small pats of butter and 1 tablespoon heavy cream, then repeat. The crockpot & potatoes stayed hot until I got to my mom’s 1 hour away. Then I plugged it in on Warm once I got there. Right before everyone ate (we do buffet style) I stirred the potatoes well. They turned out great!
ERIN L LOWMASTER says
I have the Jenni-O Turkey Breast too. Not sure how to cook it. What do you do with it in the crockpot?
Mavis Butterfield says
I just toss it in with maybe 1/2 cup of water and turn it on low. Super simple.
Patti Vanderbloemen says
Wow…I followed the link to the apple pie recipe and my mouth was watering with each step! And, that is a lot of steps to that pie!!! Perfect for a celebration dinner!
It’s been a rough year at our house, so taking it easy with just the two of us and no other family…cheeseburgers on the grill! Bliss!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
Mavis Butterfield says
Cheeseburgers are always a good idea!
Hawaii Planner says
We’re swapping mashed for scalloped potatoes this year. It’s lazy, but Costco makes them & they are delicious. We also have steak instead of turkey, because no one is really a turkey fan. We have steak, potatoes, green beans (with toasted almonds & parmesan), stuffing & sometimes we roast an acorn squash & slice it. The “rings” of the squash make for a gorgeous holder for a baby kale & pomegranate salad, with diced squash inside. It’s fantastic & very aesthetically pleasing as well.
We start with happy hour: sparkling cider for the teens & pomegranate martinis for the adults. (We have a pomegranate tree & ’tis the season). We serve those with goat cheese crostini topped with thinly sliced cucumbers or pomegranate seeds.
We’re not pie eaters, although DH will have a slice, so he will likely eat pie & the rest of us might have a cookie, ice cream or nothing. I stocked up on treats, as DS18 will be home for his first visit from college, which I’m way more excited about than Thanksgiving itself.