So, it is a week away, that holiday that we shall not speak of.
The panicked talk of coworkers and desperate emails I have received tell me y’all are a little nervous.
There is nothing to fear, my little lambs. With enough wine and Papa John’s on your speed dial, everything will be fine. Isn’t Thanksgiving about gluttony, football and lazy afternoon naps anyway? At least that is the way it is in my world. In this perfect universe, the good times roll, the boys always call, you always get the promotion you rightfully deserve and the turkey is always moist. Stop stressing so much. Even a perfect meal won’t make your mom refrain from asking for grandbabies, so you might as well let go of some of the stress.
But just in case, here are a few final thoughts…
Don’t know where to start? Check out last week’s epic Thanksgiving post…
Scared to carve the turkey? No worries, watch this:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GCdkuQoLrY]
Not into my cornbread stuffing? A friend had a ton of success with this sourdough mushroom stuffing this weekend. (He added bacon, because apparently, that is the thing to do…)
Don’t want your cranberry out of a can (which is WRONG)? This cranberry sauce made with port could almost make me turn my nose to my beloved canned jelly.
Absolutely HAVE to have marshmallows on your sweet potatoes? Fine. If you must, these looks pretty good.
Your family insisting on the classics? Well, nothing is more classic than a green bean casserole.
Still don’t know what to serve that pesky vegetarian? This vegetable and cheese strata looks tasty and can be prepared the day ahead.
Wanna feel toasty while getting toasty? Mulled wine will make the day much more manageable.
Want something pumpkin that isn’t pie? Mmmmm…pumpkin whoopie pies!
Don’t want a pie at all this Thanksgiving? This Apple Cranberry Bourbon Cake from the always AMAZING Joy the Baker looks like the bee’s knees.
And this is all I have to give. I am tapped out. Taking any and all questions below. Also, tell me below what you are grateful for. I have always hated this exercise, but more and more I realize how much I have and that I am a lucky girl. Take a minute and remind yourself.
10:19 am on November 20th, 2008
Marshmallows go with sweet potato like a pedophile and Chucky Cheese.
NOT.
OK, I laughed out loud at this one. Well played.
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10:33 am on November 20th, 2008
Is it wrong to want all of those things? well, OK…maybe not the marshmallows anymore.
It is RIGHT. Very right.
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11:12 am on November 20th, 2008
Okay… pumpkin whoopie pies… not what I was expecting (well, except for the creme filling). I’m making Pumpkin cake with cream cheese icing for Thanksgiving.
Cream cheese icing makes everything better.
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11:22 am on November 20th, 2008
I am grateful to have a huge number of incredibly lovely people in my life. And I am with LiLu on the marshmallows.
Thanks for playing along. You are lucky…you are very loved.
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11:29 am on November 20th, 2008
Cream cheese in general makes everything better. Sometimes I just take big bites from the block. Is that weird?
I’m so excited to make the corn casserole that you suggested and even more excited to stuff my face full of goodness in approximately 170 hours from now.
Not that you are counting… It will be fantastic.
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12:06 pm on November 20th, 2008
I have had TREMENDOUS success of late with Paula Deen’s Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake. It’s pumpkin and cream cheese and cake and enough butter to stop your arteries just by looking at the recipe.
That said, I am thankful for all varietals of Gooey Butter Cake, and the fact that I did not end up with my maternal grandfather’s cholesterol problems.
Every time Paula bakes I do drool a little. I mean, with all the butter you know it has to be good.
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12:09 pm on November 20th, 2008
There is a cranberry jalapeno relish that I tried one year and really loved. But there is no replacing the jelly. I always keep a can of jellied cranberry in the cabinet year round. Just in case.
I agree–it just signifies childhood Thanksgiving to me.
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12:10 pm on November 20th, 2008
I’m vegetarian, so Thanksgiving kind of loses it’s appeal to me because I don’t eat Turkey and pass out. I do, however, drink and pass out. I think that’s good enough.
it is…and you can eat all the sides.
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12:12 pm on November 20th, 2008
I have the most incredible support system in the world, and I am grateful for them every day.
I am also grateful for my awesome rack.
Your rack is like whoa…pretty spectacular.
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12:14 pm on November 20th, 2008
This is too complicated for one man to do.
I’m ordering Chinese.
General Tso’s, I presume.
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12:18 pm on November 20th, 2008
I usually make a cranberry chutney with orange and ginger instead of the sauce. Blasphemous, I know. But it’s very good.
I just bought new appliances because I’m about to start a hellish kitchen remodel. But the upside: I’ll have two refrigerators before and after Thanksgiving.
I like ginger a lot; I am sure it is good. A kitchen remodel with a baby on the way? You are a brave man.
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12:45 pm on November 20th, 2008
As someone who was forced against her will to fast for 14 hours, this post is making me very emotional.
Can you eat now? Get thee some food!
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12:57 pm on November 20th, 2008
I can’t wait. So much yummyness in store… I hate having to wait another week!
I know…I think I am most excited for leftover sandwiches.
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12:57 pm on November 20th, 2008
[...] recipes from cranberry sauce to mulled wine. She even throws in some pumpkin whoopie pies. Check out the holiday list. It’s just like one stop [...]
1:45 pm on November 20th, 2008
I’m making a version of your cornbread stuffing (I might add a few things, but I’m keeping the basic recipe intact).
Also, I dislike sweet potatoes. Ew.
I’m thankful for all the wonderful people in my life. Not worth it without them…and pie. I love pie.
Let me know what you add…I have always thought chorizo may be good.
People and pie are really what it is all about.
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3:46 pm on November 20th, 2008
I am totally mystified why people freak out so badly over Thanksgiving. While I pretty much never make the turkey or stuffing/dressing (that honor goes to the hostess, a.k.a. “Mom”, though one of these days I’ll do it again myself), I do usually end up running the kitchen (”chef”) while said hostess goes bananas with unnecessary rearrangements of her house.
Chef work for the day includes coordinating placement and heating of items brought by other family members, tending the turkey as it roasts, production of my own items (always including my roast garlic mashed potatoes), and oversight of presentation and timing. It’s not rocket science – I know, because Dad’s a rocket scientist, and believe me, this ain’t it.
I like running the kitchen. It’s pleasant, interesting, appreciated, and gets me out of doing dishes and other drudgery. There’s lots of good conversation and very little stress. It’s fun!
It is fun…and what is the worst that can happen?
And garlic mashed sounds awesome right now.
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4:56 pm on November 20th, 2008
Doesn’t it? I’ll roast the garlic this weekend and fill the house with that intoxicating scent, then try not to OD on the stuff once it’s out and down to Very Warm (spread like butter on French or rosemary bread). Them taters is powerful pop’lur, and my main problem is making sure I have a few cups left over to make shepherd’s pie the next week. I have the oddest feeling I’ve said this before. If so, my apologies: me brains is a bit fried at the moment.
You have, but it is a great idea so I say you should remind us of it as much as you want.
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5:35 pm on November 20th, 2008
you, and your killer recipes are delightful.
what im grateful for?
my health, a warm apartment, my job, family, friends, and the fact that i can afford yummy cocktails when i want.
These are all things to be grateful for… God, I remember being broke and scraping together money for Miller Lights. I am thankful I can buy myself a Blue Moon when I want.
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8:31 pm on November 20th, 2008
Mmm, I want to be American to celebrate your Thanksgiving. And then I can go back to being Canadian. Is that wrong?
Of course not! You can do whatever you want!
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9:06 pm on November 20th, 2008
i made whoopie pies last year, but pumpkin whoopie pies sound to die for
They do look pretty tasty.
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12:02 am on November 21st, 2008
[...] Lemmonex walks us through Thanksgiving Dinner. Whether it’s Papa John’s or Papa/Mama, the kids, those cousins, your in-laws, your bff, and your first ever turkey. Final Call [...]
3:37 am on November 21st, 2008
I too love Thanksgiving. While Rosh Hashana and Passover are more enticing for me because we get my mom’s famous matzo ball/veggie/chicken soup–but I do love all that hearty salty Thanksgiving food.
I am a veggie so I love the sides. Stuffing, barley with mushrooms, all sorts of potatoes (new pot./garlic pot./mash pot.)–although I have to say I hate sweet potatoes too. Eeek.
I am thankful for my amazing out of this world family and friends…and that I have a roof over my head these past 6 months I have been unemployed…I am hopeful that one day I will actually be able ee, to even afford a bottle of beer.
Lol.
xo
I like sweet potatoes, just can do without the marshmallows. I have faith about that bottle of beer!
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10:39 pm on November 21st, 2008
Ok so I couldn’t make due to the whole not in the state thing, however, I did finally create my own blog. Go me. Cheers, JP
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