Surviving Thanksgiving

I am an organizational freak - I get that from my Dad. We are two annal peas in a pod (I say this with love). 24 people (25 now - oldest's boyfriend is coming too) for a sit down dinner is a joy for me but I know it strikes fear in the hearts of many.

First make a menu. It can be very simple. I've found most people like simple good food. Determine the quantities needed - about 1 1/2 pounds of turkey per person if you want leftovers, 1 potato per person with an extra 1 thrown in for good measure (unless they are really small potatoes then add a few more). One batch (or dare I say can) of cranberry sauce is enough. Write out a list of ingredients needed for each recipe. Check your pantry and then make a grocery list. If you haven't done so already get your turkey NOW! It takes a while for it to defrost in the fridge. Make room in the fridge for your turkey. If you are really panicked have family members contribute a dish to the meal. Or find a good bakery and buy some of the menu items. I prefer they just bring the wine but, hey that's me. I also make a list of what needs to go in the oven or on top. What can be done on the grill or in the microwave. I only have one oven and it can be a juggling act. Not enough fridge space - if you live where it is cold try utilizing the hatchway or porch. Get creative.

Determine the seating - do you have enough? do you have tables and chairs? Do you have plates and cups for everyone? If not you need to get these. I'm lucky and have access to tables and chairs. I've been collecting plates and now have enough for 30 people. You can use paper (I think I am the only one who really cares). You can mix and match - hey pull out your Christmas dishes or the stuff you received at your wedding. Go for it. I have my mom bring extra silverware.

Look at your menu and see what you can prep ahead. I have a three day list. Cranberry sauce and batch one of ice cream on Monday. Peel and chop root vegetables these I roast on the grill. Tuesday I make the second batch of ice cream and the cornbread for the stuffing. Wednesday night is the big prep night. I make my pie(s), the stuffing, the scalloped sweet potatoes and prep the turkey. Take a deep breath, relax and get a good night's sleep.

Thursday I put the turkey in the oven. When that comes out I heat all of the sides. The root veggies are on the grill. With the oven and grill full I can concentrate on the stove top dishes - mashes potatoes and my creamy Brussels sprouts. Mashed potatoes will keep really well in a bowl placed over simmering water for hours. Make sure the bowl does not touch the water below (double boiler idea). I was told that they also stay well on low in a crock pot. I am going to try that this year.

I also utilize my hubby and kids. They each get jobs - cleaning, setting the table, lugging chairs, helping cook - whatever needs to be done. I try and have all prep dishes washed and put away before guests arrive. That way I can sit back, eat a good meal and enjoy my company. Dirty dishes will wait and I have no problems piling them up once the dish washer is full. I have Friday to clean. Luckily when I host someone (usually my MIL or my hubby) does the dishes and I just have to put them away.

I love Thanksgiving because it is about family, food, comfort and giving thanks. My stress comes a month prior when my MIL tries to take this away from me but hey, that is another post.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving everyone!

Horseradish Cranberry Sauce

1 cup water
1 cup sugar
12 oz. bag fresh cranberries
pinch thyme or lemon thyme
2 Tablespoons prepared horseradish


Bring water and sugar to a boil. Stir in cranberries. Turn the heat down and simmer until berries pop, liquid reduces and the sauce thickens. This takes about 20 minutes. Stir occasionally. At this point stir in the thyme and horseradish.

I make my own horseradish. Peel the root. Chop up and put in the food processor. Grind until it is the size you like. Mine is chunkier than what you buy in the store. Put it in a jar and pour organic cider vinegar over to cover. This will keep in the fridge for.... Not sure we use about a quart every two months.

Count Down is On

I thought when youngest was done with soccer there would be more free time in our schedules. Not! Two more "work" days until Thanksgiving/vacation. Yeah!

Spread sheets and time lines are filled out for the next few days. I only have 24 for dinner this year. I was at the grocery store when it opened this morning to avoid the crowds. I came home to a house full (hubby and kids) waiting to help unload. I asked that they unload and bring to the appropriate parts of the house and leave it for me to unpack. I wanted to rotate stock and group things by recipes for the next week. That was a huge help. While I was gone hubby had the kids clean their rooms and bathroom. He vacuumed up and downstairs. Ah!

The kids all have friends over now. Mexican brownies are cooling for dessert. Chicken pot pie for dinner.

I'm ahead of schedule and actually have been relaxing this afternoon. Christmas cards are addressed and the Christmas letter is written. Sugar scrub is made for a special order. I have four gift bags of my products to make for a Christmas order. Most of the product is made. I need to make a batch of toner this afternoon. I need to make more lotion but I'm waiting for the ingredients I ordered to arrive. Oldest even asked for a refill on the lotion. I'm not actively selling but I make things for people through word of mouth.

Oldest's car is insured and registered. Hubby and I brought it to our mechanic to check it over completely before she drives it. Not long now until she has her license.

Catching Up

What a busy week - again.

Board of Ed meeting due to the bus contract bids. The vote went with what the parents wanted.

Fire explorer's meeting. This is the third month in a row that only oldest has shown along with the advisers. The captain can't be bothered. Nice example coming from the assistant chief's son. They wanted a discussion about a Christmas party. Too many explorers turned 18 this year and the membership has taken a nose dive. I'm sure it will come back up (it always does). With so few members and none coming to the meeting I believe a Christmas party is out. I did joke that we should tell the others we voted to fly to Key West for a week end and oops they're too late to come. LOL

Thursday I went with youngest and the sixth grade class to the Tsongas center in Lowell, MA. It was a great field trip. The kids learned all about mill workers with hands on activities.

This morning I took son shopping. He needed new shirts as his were too small. He HATES shopping. I explained that if he wanted to pick out his clothes he had to come. Five long sleeve henleys, three t-shirts and we were back in the car in 11 minutes. He is now off on army maneuvers with his friends.

Youngest asked for bio's phone number this morning. I was curious what she wanted to tell her. None of the kids ask to call her. Well, she was playing her DS and was stuck on a level and wanted input from big brother on how to get to the next level.

It is a rainy gray day. I've paid the bills, read my e-mail and completed most of my holiday shopping.

Oldest is off to a birthday party tonight.

I am counting down the days until Thanksgiving. One to prepare the meal and two that means I'm on vacation. I work two days the week of Thanksgiving (I usually work three). My boss seems to think that means I have free time on my hands. I'll be jamming to get everything done before I leave and scrambling when I return. But that week and a half off will be oh so good.

soup review

The bacon cheeseburger soup was pretty good. Oldest thought son should have added more vegetables. The soup could use them but then it would not be a bacon cheeseburger soup but a beef and vegetable soup. It had hamburg, onion, garlic, chicken broth, diced tomatoes, cheddar cheese soup, relish and Worcestershire sauce. The hamburg, onion and garlic were cooked in the bacon fat from the bacon cooked and reserved for garnish. The toasts were slathered with a mix of melted butter, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and garlic powder. Then they were topped with swiss cheese and broil until starting to brown. The toast was really good.

Oldest is off to breakfast with her boyfriend (and family). It is for a fund raiser for the ambulance. He is then spending the day here. Son is trying to arrange going to the movies with a friend.

I'll be doing laundry, balancing hubby's check book and hanging out. It's a nice relaxing week end.

Computer to do list

It's been a day spent on the computer. Well, first I walked three miles on the treadmill. But, aside from harvesting my crop on Farmville I have paid the bills, made up fliers for the fire department fund raiser, sold some product and ordered pictures.

We had family portraits done in September. After picking up the disc I needed to decide what to order. Bio sent money for us to send her an 8x10 of each of the kids. We were to send the best picture. Wait, then she said to have the kids pick out the pictures to send. Oldest picked hers. The other two said they didn't care. So, her pictures are in the mail. Our pictures are ordered and so our are Christmas cards. Here's the family photo I went with.

I read through all of my e-mail. Now, I just have some cd's to copy.

Son is making supper tonight - bacon cheeseburger soup and hamburger bun toasts. The recipes are in the latest edition of Paula Deen's magazine. I'll let you know how it is. Son loves soup and easy recipes. This fit both criteria.

Once I finally get off this thing (I want to catch up on my blog friends too) I'm making banana bread and something with apples.



Oh, and last night the whole family watched the latest Ice Age movie together (even son). Wohoo!

Peace

Today people every where are blogging for peace. I yearn for peace on earth. I also yearn for something brilliant to write and a solution to bring it about. If we each do our part it is possible. May you bring peace to your corner of the world.