Thanksgiving preparations...

Well tomorrow is Thanksgiving... All my major appliances are working and my house is clean (thanks to my husband's hard work). I have all the groceries that I'll need. The bird appears to be thawed. The guest list is complete and I have an idea of what everyone will be bringing (it is a family potluck). The only thing up in the air right now is the weather. There is a 40% chance of rain... and that would make things a bit difficult since we will be eating outside on a covered carport... but as long as it doesn't storm we should be in good shape.

I have been hosting Thanksgiving at my house since my oldest daughter was born. I've only missed one year in that time... My second daughter was born in October 2007 and I wasn't really ready for a big feast at my house so soon after having a baby. But otherwise I have been cooking a turkey and doing my best to make it all happen since 2005.

This year once again I will be cooking the turkey, mashing the potatoes, roasting root vegetables around the bird, and making a pie. The rest will be brought over by friends and family. The kids have been working on holiday decorations for a few weeks now... As I type these words my sweet potato pie is baking and producing a heavenly aroma. I have never made sweet potato pie... so hopefully it will turn out well. I am using Alton Brown's recipe and I feel a little nervous about the consistency of the filling... but I will be keeping my fingers crossed. I'm sure it will be better than the disastrous pecan pie from last year.

Tomorrow I will pull the bird out of the fridge, season it, and put butter under the skin. I will probably put it in the oven at about 9:30 or 10. I will prepare the roasted vegetables with rosemary from my garden... and I will also make the mashed potatoes. If all goes as planned I will have everything on the table at between 2 and 2:30. Wish me luck!

I hope everyone has a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving!

Cheers,

Jenn