Thankgiving Plan of Attack

I love cooking for a crowd! I love planning, prepping and cooking a feast, and I have been deprived of the pleasure for too many Thanksgivings.

Then, quite unexpectedly, I found out this weekend the MIL's side of the family has cancelled their annual Thanksgiving gathering . . . sorry for them, but yipee for me!

So, much of my weekend was consumed leafing through my recipe binders, making grocery lists, determining what can be prepped or prepped in advance, and making my schedule for the week.

Yes, that's right (and I'm sure it comes as no surprise to many of you) this gal loves to make a plan!

Here's the rundown on tomorrow's menu . . .

Melt-in-your-mouth Cheese Crackers (thanks to Pinterest), along with a platter of antipasti, of course.

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There's a 22# bird nesting in my basement fridge, and come Thursday morning, he will begin his transformation.

Last year I tried Cook's Country Old-Fashioned Roast Turkey, 'cause even if I'm dining elsewhere, I still need a bountiful supply of leftovers for Turkey & Biscuits and Turkey & Wild Rice Soup.

I tested this Old-Fashioned Roast Turkey recipe last year . . . poultry perfection, moist & flavorful.

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There will be Dressing with Sage Sausage & Dried Cranberries, of course. (No, I do not stuff my birds. Just too high on the "ick" scale for moi. Sorry!) 

This afternoon I made Cook's Country's Delmonico Potatoes. (They're cooling in the kitchen now, and boy do they smell tempting. Just a spoon, please, surely no one will notice!)

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The extra effort is so worth the final creamy, tangy, potato goodness. And they reheat beautifully - I'll slide 'em in the oven tomorrow while the turkey is "resting".

French green beans sauteed in olive oil, garlic, rosemary & cracked black pepper. A bit of butter & a squeeze of lemon to finish.

And now for yet another of my culinary confession . . .

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Please, don't judge! And don't tell anyone! 

For dessert, my very own recipe for Cranberry-Apple Crisp with Pecan-Oatmeal Topping, with a mega scoop of Ben & Jerry's Vanilla snuggling up beside it. (It's too late now, but I'll be sure to share it with y'all before the next round of holiday gatherings commences.)

This Thanksgiving I am thankful for so many things, big & small, and I won't bore all you busy folks with a detailed list, but one I must share is my sincere thanks to each and every one of you that swings by this little spot on the blogosphere to see what's on my mind or stuck in my craw.

Now, it's back to the kitchen for this Housewife (aka The Scullery Maid) -- there is still tonight's dinner, laundry, cleaning and set up to be conquered before bedtime! 

Happy Thanksgiving to you & yours!  

And enjoy your post-Turkey nap tomorrow afternoon! You deserve it!