Thanksgiving
 MIL and SIL will be bringing the pies.
Including my two little nephews we have a total of about 10 and then the 2 pups. Oh boy! I've been nervous for several weeks already. Somehow Steve thinks we can pull this off. I have no idea how everything will be served warm since we only have one oven. Other issue is that our very nice table cloth doesn't fit our new table  I'm on the hunt and really don't want to spend so much. Those napkins are expensive  |
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| okay stac, what do you need help with? the key to a single oven is organization (and I know you are)...so you should do okay....a lot of the stuff you can make at least half way the night before then finish up thanksgiving day...
what are you wanting to make as your side dishes? |
Darcy wrote: okay stac, what do you need help with? the key to a single oven is organization (and I know you are)...so you should do okay....a lot of the stuff you can make at least half way the night before then finish up thanksgiving day...
what are you wanting to make as your side dishes? I'm with Darcy--- tell us what you need help with!! 
I always do dressings- sweet potatoes- cassoroles etc on Wednesday and put them in the dishes they will be baked in. On Thanksgiving morning, I put the turkey in to be ready at 12:00. Once I pull it out of the oven- I put the sides in the oven while the turkey rests. I make refrigerator mashed potatoes the day before ( with chives, sour cream and cream cheese) and re-heat those on a double boiler. While things are baking and re-heating - I make gravy and do any last minute things. My Mom always brings the desserts ( way too many pies and cheese cake YUMMMY) and the rest of the family fills in with the salads- crudites' - wine and such. I set the tables the night before. Hope that helps a little bit. I am certainly not very organized- so- if I can do it- you will be the champ!!!! The most important thing to remember is to have FUN! I remember the year I dropped the pie basket and both pumpkin and pecan were destroyed. All I had in the house was an angel food cake. I tinted some cool-whip orange and frosted the cake--- put a few chocolate curls on top and silk leaves around the cake plate--- it was a hit, and everyone thought is was all thought out. We put ginger cookies, candied nuts, some candies and such on another plate- and that was dessert. Good Luck!! |
| I don't think I can be much of a help as Thanksgiving for me is a brand new holiday. This is going to be my third Thanksgiving!
First year we were at Charlie's parents, last year Charlie made everything for my mom, sister and I. This year we are going to Dallas to Charlie's parents again...so I don't have to do a lot...but the plan is to make the pumpkin pie  and veggies, etc. the day before and put the turkey in the oven in the morning.
But if you are organized, as Darcy said there shouldn't be a problem.  |
Stacy, you and Steve can pull this off for sure, no sweat. As Darcy said, organization is the key. Anything you can do ahead of time, like chop veggies for salad, make stuffing and refrigerate, make pie, etc., plan to do the day before. And if anyone offers to bring something, SAY YES!!!!! 
Angelo and I have hosted Turkey Day for the last 13 years, and now we have it down to a science. This year, we are having a sit-down dinner for 36 (last year was 48  ). It involves 4 turkeys, 30 lbs of potatoes, Lord knows how many lbs of butter, 5 lbs of stuffing.......mmmmmmmm.
And lots of clean-up help!!!!! Laurie and Oscar, Head Floor Sweeper |
| Lori is right have fun. This is a gathering with one you love or at least like. This is not heart surgery. Thanksgiving is also usually two birthdays, and Christmas also has two birthdays on either side. So they are big birthday parties. For some reason my sisters and mother have never argued in the kitchen. |
As usual, we will be in Juneau (for a show) and having a hotel room thanksgiving this year 
I really enjoy it actually...Wednesday night we go to the store and get a small chicken, or a turkey breast, a couple of yams or potatoes, and a pre-made pumpkin pie and a can of whipped cream. Then on Thursday we cook the meal in our hotel suite's little kitchen and watch cable TV "Thanksgiving Day Marathons" all day! Ahhh...tradition! |
| Stacy, make use of slow cookers. Make your potatoes and put them in a crockpot on warm or low. Keep your gravy or soup hot in a thermos, line an ice chest with newspaper, cover hot things with heavy foil and it should stay warm for an hour or more. If you put your dressing in the turkey you won't have to reheat it. |
| For the tablecloth - if you don't find a reasonably priced one that you like, get a piece of fabric. Measure the length of your table, add a foot on either end for it to hang. Most fabric is the right width, and then you just need to hem the 2 ends. Or sew a strip of ribbon/fringe or whatever across the end. This way you can have whatever style you like for real cheap. |
| Just take a deep breath Stacy--it'll be okay! No one expects a Martha Stewart Thanksgiving when they go anywhere (unless you've shown them before that you can do it like Martha!). It's all about enjoying time together. So try not to stress.
I agree with Holly--do you have a crock pot? That's a good place to keep the mashed potatoes. Do you have a toaster oven? That could be used as a second mini oven for small sides like stuffing. Are your neighbors going to be home? If not, can you use their oven? My mom's done this before!
I've made T-day or Christmas dinner at my old house for the past few years and it was a tiny little kitchen with one oven and it all turned out fine. It doesn't matter if things like the stuffing is piping hot. As long as it isn't actually cold, I think you'll be fine. Oh, if you go to restaurant supply stores you can get some chaffing dishes. Those can be helpful... |
| Thank you everyone for your very helpful hints and support I will review this thread tonight again when I organize my thoughts some more. Mom (The Pro) took all of Wednesday off to come help me. We plan to prepare and cook most of the sides. Steve has half day off. |
| Stacy...you'll be fine. I host Thanksgiving every year (since 1974). I've had as many as 40 people and this year I will only have 6 (which sounds like a walk in the park to me). We average 20 guests. I do alot ahead. Sunday I will in the kitchen all day making the kugel (yep kugel), some casseroles, and chopping stuff. Wednesday night, I will make the mashed potatoes, stuffed mushroom and sweet potato casserole. Thursday, I will do the stuffing and turkey, and everything else will be ready to warm. I, too, warm the mashed pots in the crockpot, and with one oven, I utilized both shelves. I also use the 1/2 hour standing time before carving the bird, to stick stuff in the oven. If you don't want to buy a new tablecloth (Target has great ones at good prices) use (don't laugh) a flat bedsheet. And as for napkins, there are adorable paper Thanksgiving napkins. Please call me if you need help. My biggest support is an old family tradition. I drink Baileys and coffee while cooking and watching the parade. Probably why I never get frazzled! Hugs to you! |
| Kugel...at Thanksgiving??? OK, I am stumped. Noodle Kugel or potato?
It's a good idea. There are 4 of us this year, no family here, and I don't want to crate Nigel for hours...so we are staying put. My girls don't like anything but rolls, cranberry sauce and turkey. I have a huge turkey tho...so I think I may be freezing some casseroles!!! |
| Ha ha...Yes, sweet noodle kugel. My son is vegetarian, so there isn't much for him to eat on Thanksgiving. I always make the kugel (which he loves)...so for him, its a starch feast. Kugel, potatoes, green bean casserole, cheese and cracker and stuffed mushrooms (stuffed with soy italian sausage)...and lots of pie! And....he's very skinny! |
I've been waiting for an opportunity to post my Thanksgiving RANT and here it is (would you expect ANYTHING LESS fro me  ).
So some may remember LAST years disaster, the 26 lb turkey and three days of cooking and baking only to have NOT ONE of Doug's snitfull children actually show up (all four were supposed to come). So THIS YEAR I announced well in advance there would BE NO COOKING AT MY HOUSE, we were going out. Then out of the blue I get an invitation from my brother (he's never invited me before). SO I said GREAT, that would be lovely. Only one small thing. Doug's mother will be with us and she will need to come to. HE UNINVITED ME
So it's back to plan A, we are going out. Deb, I make a TO DIE FOR NUT LOAF for Thanksgiving (meat substitute) that I always have instead of turkkey. |
| Joan and I are sitting here with our mouths open. He uninvited you?!?! GASP! Grrrrrr! |
Ron wrote: Joan and I are sitting here with our mouths open. He uninvited you?!?! GASP! Grrrrrr!
YUP, said he didn't want his holiday spoiled by a cranky old woman (she is). But, that is my brother.... ya gotta love him!!!!! |
Tasker's Mom wrote: YUP, said he didn't want his holiday spoiled by a cranky old woman (she is). But, that is my brother.... ya gotta love him!!!!! He is afraid of the competition? |
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Must be!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
| My husband just sent me a pork loin stuffed with cranberry stuff. Looks soooooooooo good. Can't wait to try it! |
| Noodle Kugel sounds great too...but I would have to go to the store agagin!!! I make then whenever I get a wild hair anyway. No vegetarians here...no skinny people either!!lol |
| Ginny, feel like sharing that recipe? One year I was going to make a tofurky...but it just seemed to gross. |
| Deb- you HAVE to make him a tofurkey!! They are delicious, definitely the hilight of my thanksgiving every year. |
| But Heather! It just seems so gross!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Please don't tell me I have to go to Trader Joe's this weekend  ) |
debcram wrote: Ginny, feel like sharing that recipe?
One year I was going to make a tofurky...but it just seemed to gross. Yup I will, I'm at the Firehouse for the weekend so it may be Monday before I can but I'll either post or pm it. |
debcram wrote: But Heather! It just seems so gross!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Please don't tell me I have to go to Trader Joe's this weekend )I think they have it in most regular grocery stores. What's gross about it? No grosser than a turducken! |
| Ginny's got a hose..... Ginny's got a hose....
Her dog day's just begun... Now everybody's is on the run... |
barney1 wrote: debcram wrote: But Heather! It just seems so gross!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Please don't tell me I have to go to Trader Joe's this weekend )I think they have it in most regular grocery stores. What's gross about it? No grosser than a turducken! I don't think they're gross, but I don't think that they're that good either. I had Tofurkey 2 years in a row, cooked two different ways and I just thought it was weak and lacked flavor. The second year was slightly better than the first when we added celery, carrots, potatoes and lots of poultry seasoning to the mix but because of the size of it, the flavor didn't absorb well to the middle so the people who ate the ends got the better tasting pieces! I think it would be better stir fried or something, like you would pan fry tofu for, like, a Thai dish, instead of baking it like a turkey. Or maybe even marinate it. These ideas that I'm thinking of now make me maybe want to try again... |
| Veeeeeeeeeeery funny Ron!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am not very impressed with Tofurky, and as a pretty much vegatarian I've TRIED to like it. Tofu tends to take on the flavor of the sauce or ingredients it's cooked with. |
| Seems gross to me too! I can't stand the look of tofu...or texture. Maybe veggie burgers would be better...cut into turkey shapes.
My brother usually makes enchilades...and he is vegan too. |
OMG!! The hinges on my stove are broken and cannot be fixed until who knows when.  Thankfully I'll be frying my bird outside, my microwave doubles as a convection oven and I can still use my oven if I put a chair in front of it to keep it closed. Wish me luck on pulling this turkey day off. |
| I think theyre sooo good, but I haven't eaten meat in almost 10 years so what do I know?
Deb- I think you can get them at Dominicks or Jewel (but don't quote me on that!) |
| Nope! I'm stickin' with the orginal menu for him: Green Bean Casserole Veggie Tray Stuffed mushrooms Sweet noodle kugel Mashed Potatoes Sweet Potatoes with Whisky Roasted Brussel Sprouts Rolls Cherry Pie Pumpkin Pie Sounds good to me! NO TOFRUKEYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If, he's still hungry, and I doubt it...I'm make him a Boca Burger!!! |
debcram wrote: Sweet Potatoes with Whisky Cherry Pie Pumpkin Pie Oh, these sound wonderful! |
| Im going to debs house!! I call dibs on the left side of the sofa!!!! |
| Come on down!!!! My door is always open. The more the merrier! |
| If there's one more holiday with green bean casserole...Mom and I aren't big fans, but Steve's family makes it every single holiday. Mom is bringing out a veggie dish that she hasn't made in years. It's something with cheese. Yum! I'm hoping it will be the start of a new tradition |
Stacy wrote: If there's one more holiday with green bean casserole...Mom and I aren't big fans, but Steve's family makes it every single holiday. Mom is bringing out a veggie dish that she hasn't made in years. It's something with cheese. Yum! I'm hoping it will be the start of a new tradition
See Stacy, YOU HAVE THE POWER! By hosting Thanksgiving, you can start whatever tradition you want!!!! |
A holiday w/o green bean casserole is a big no-no. Shame on you for not appreciating its greatness.  |
| Sweet potato and whisky Do share that receipe, sounds awesome, we dont have thanksgiving here but hey that one sounds great and might be a goer for christmas day. I love sweet potato.
Is it traditional for Thanksgiving? Who cares anyway, receipe would be great. |
| I'll post the recipe under section "Cooking", since a few of you have pm'd me for it. Sweet potatoes are definately traditional, the whiskey is a perk! |
| going to be 'just another day' here..........
i'm actually thinking of (GASP) no christmas either.............. no decorating, tree, nothing. I didn't put one up last year either........was too sick. Norm isn't coming home again until middle of Jan for 2 weeks...... too much to do for just me.. Neighbor already has the lights up too. but then a lot of people were doing that today in anticipation of snow tomorrow night............... can i be a bear and just hibernate til spring???? |
| Ali, When I got divorced (many MANY years ago), my children were little and we moved to house in a neighborhood where we were the only Jewish family. At Christmas time, every single other house was decorated to the hilt. Bright lights, lite reindeer standing in the yards..well, you get the idea. Our house was dark. About a week before Christmas, one of the neighbors came over, and asked if we needed lights and help stringing them up, because they had extra and would be glad to help. I explained that we were Jewish and our lack of lights was because we didn't celebrate Christmas. They smile and said, Ok. However, I thought that was one of the kindest gestures anyone had ever showed me, and really that was the true meaning of the season. To help someone and show you cared. |
| Over the years I have spent many Holidays alone. The kids would be at their Dad's and my family was too far away. It was always a great opportunity to do something I had not done before, volunteer at a Shelter, work at a church sponsored dinner. I have some wonderful holidays "alone". |
Stacy wrote: If there's one more holiday with green bean casserole...Mom and I aren't big fans, but Steve's family makes it every single holiday.
You took the words right out of my mouth! I mean, the casserole is fine and all, but nothing special. But I guess since my family didn't grow up on it. Cam's family, or Cam in particular, has a list of MUST-HAVE dishes for Thanksgiving, and then Christmas is the IDENTICAL menu. Ugh. At least the green bean casserole is easy to make. I'd rather have a salad. |
But! I  greenbean casserole!(Actually, I'd be just happy eating the can of French's onion rings!!!) |
| ^^^
ME TOO!!! My mom would always buy an extra can for her piggie
As a kid I'd get so upset when people would dish out too much leaving me with less than half a casserole. I never grew out of that |
| Deb, I posted my Thanksgiving Nut Roast over in the cooking section. |
| This is a great post Stacy!! You can definitely Host Turkey Day. The first year I hosted Thanksgiving it was at my first apartment years ago. I was dating Arthur at the time and we never made a turkey before.
I left the "gizzards" in the baggie, in the turkey's belly....and yes I cooked it thinking the turkey had no gizzard baggie in it (because I didn't put my paw in far enough to find it). I highly doubt your Thanksgiving will turn out like mine did so you're already on the right track. As far as what I did, you really have to make sure Steve get's that dreadful baggie outta the belly... Every year since then...which was 1996, everyone still talks about the gizzards I left in the turkey..... Stacy....You will make wonderful memories out of hosting your First thanksgiving. Get loads of pictures and keep the family involved!! As far as the dishes go....I grew up in an old school Italian family household. Everything was italian with the exception of the turkey, cranberry and potatoes. Happy Thanksgiving!!! Michelina~ |
| Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving. It seemed to go well at our house although quite chaotic. Please check out a few of my pictures by clicking on the little camera icon.
The food all turned out fantastic! Mom came over the day before and helped me make the stuffing and sweet potatoes. I made the cranberries and coordinated everything leading up to the big day. The house was clean and organized, everything was in order before people arrived. Steve and I did get into a little spat during the coordination of getting the food all warmed up and onto the table. It was actually quite embarrassing in front of the women in our family. So, I busied myself with placing ice in glasses and monitoring the two pups and two nephews ages 2 and 5. My 5 year old nephew is ALL BOY. He and Annie both play rough so we did need to separate the dogs from the boys most of the time. At one point the dogs were really barking. When I went to check it out, I found that my nephew had thrown all the toys from the doggie bin over the gate at the pups. I was not happy about that at all Fozzie spent much more time with the family as he is a much more mellow guy. When the boys got wild he either barks appropriately or gets up and walks away. Both Annie and Foz have been sleeping ALL DAY LONG |
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