So, what's everyone doing for Thanksgiving?

[MaggieTheCat]

For those of you who celebrate it, of course.

I know it seems like we're barely on this side of Halloween, but Thanksgiving is only 3 weeks away now. My husband and I have decided not to go back to Wisconsin to visit my family, which will mark the first time I haven't been with my parents for Thanksgiving. My husband and I were in Wisconsin together last year and celebrated Thanksgiving with my whole family, although the food wasn't very good (my mom insisted on going out to dinner, which disappointed me, because I offered to do the majority of the cooking if we could stay home, but she refused.) So my husband and I had a small, 2-person homemade Thanksgiving meal a couple days after Thanksgiving itself.

This year, it will be the two of us again, and we will probably invite a few of our friends over in case they don't have anywhere else to go (I know some of them have family in the area, but some of them don't and they may not be able to travel.) So, because I'm slightly OCD and because I love to cook, I'm already planning my menu:

1 small ham (my husband prefers ham over turkey)
1 turkey breast (I prefer turkey over ham)
sausage and apple stuffing
candied sweet potatoes
mashed potatoes & gravy
cream corn
some kind of bread (debating between cornbread and dinner rolls)
at least 2 kinds of pie (debating between pumpkin, apple, and pecan -- might just do all 3 depending on if we have a lot of people coming)

Everything, of course, will be homemade. I don't do store-bought stuff very often, and it would just seem wrong (to me) for Thanksgiving. I found a good-sounding recipe for the stuffing, my mom's candied sweet potato recipe is to die for, and all the guys love my homemade cream corn. The only thing I may not make from scratch is all the pie doughs, especially if I'm making two or three pies.

Soooo, what's everyone else doing?

[Eric the Grey]

I haven't nailed down any plans yet. With my older sister and brother in law down with the flu, I suspect Thanksgiving may be just the two of us.

If so, I'll do the usual, turkey, with all the fixings. I fully plan on picking up a couple turkeys at the very least while they are on sale for the holiday. I love turkey and will fix it off and on during the year if I can get them and freeze them throughout the year.

This will be our first thanksgiving after getting married. D attended the family dinner last year, but this is different. Christmas will be the same.



Eric the Grey

[Kullervo]

Working night before and night of no doubt.
During the day I suppose I will be with my family for at least a small portion.
It will be one of those double mega-monster energy nights.

[Soulstealer]

Well since I'm now in the UK I'll be going to class.
My family already gave away my seat at the dinner table.

[AdminAssistant]

Unless something tragic happens, I'm going home, which means Thanksgiving dinner at my aunt's house. Deep-fried turkey*, courtesy of my cousin, and my aunt will make: chicken & dumplings (for me, mostly!), chicken & dressing, boiled potatoes, green beans, corn, ham, sweet potatoes, and either crescent rolls or brown'n'serve rolls. Then, for dessert, usually a pecan pie, chocolate pie, some kind of strawberry thing, and chocolate delight. My mom usually brings one of the pies (as it is universally believed that Mom's pies are better than my Aunt's) and an overnight chef salad. My other aunt, if she comes, brings nothing and doesn't help. It still drives my Mom crazy, but we're all used to it by now.

* According to my aunt, the biggest benefit of the deep-fried turkey is that it gets the menfolk out of the house, so they can all stand around the deep fryer and "help cook dinner". Instead of hanging around the kitchen and being in her way.

[RichS]

Polishing up my paper and presentation for classes, and starting review for finals.

Oh, you mean Thanksgiving dinner - in that case, I've been so concentrated on classes that I really don't know. I'll have to ask my wife if she knows.

[taxguykarl]

Menu:
Portobella Biqsue (my mom's favorite)
Good Eats Roast Turkey
Apple-Raisin Stuffing (my wife's favorite)
Rustic Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Roased Acorn Squash (home-grown)
Pan Dripping Gravy
Butternut Dumplings
Green Bean Casserole
Cranberry Sauce
Desserts to be supplied by guests (i.e. surprise)

Guest list (subject to change with or without notice):
My Mother
My MIL
Both BIL's
BIL's GF
My Flaky Niece and her 3 kids

[Broomjockey]

I am SO jealous. We've already had our Thanksgiving up here, and it's the best meal of the year, usually.

[Elspeth]

Going to my in-laws. I am sure it will be the same stuff we have every year. I love my in-laws but they are going to drive me into a loony bin.

I am planning on making dinner for the hubby and I that weekend.

Turkey - found a rosemary and beer roasted turkey I am dieing to try
*side note - My hubby has pronounced my turkeys better then his mothers

My cauliflower - which I am addicted to. It is mayo and mustrad mixed together put on top of partially cooked cauliflower then add a ton of chesse and cook with about 5 minutes under the broiler to get chrispy cheese.

Plus if I don't cook a turkey how do I get turkey tacos I might also get a ham from Costco, because while I am not a ham fan that stuff is yummy.

[Becks]

If the weather is good enough, we'll be going to Mommy's.

My sister and her husband are doing long distance trucking stuff, so they probably won't be there, but they don't mind everyone taking over their house.

If I have to work that day, I might go. If I can't make it, Mommy and I will have a Thanksgiving-ish dinner at a later date.

[Plaidman]

Ill be likely working, but my family will still have good food. Typically its my mom, sister and I, plus a friend of mom's who's own mom still at home in Iraq (Or Iran?). Typically meal is

Turky
Ham (Yumm)
Deviled Eggs (For me mostly)
Those pieces of meat wrapped around cream cheese and pickles
Mashed Potatos
Stuffing
Bread Rolls
Red Current Scones (Made by me)
Sweet Potatos

There ussally is two or three more random items, but the above is guranteed.

[LewisLegion]

Working, then going to Mom's for dinner. She has to work to so my stepdad will be cooking everything (bonus for us ). Then home *shrug*

[AdminAssistant]

Deviled Eggs (For me mostly)

How could I forget? My aunt always makes a bunch of deviled eggs on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Which leads to all of us hanging around the kitchen eating eggs before dinner, and a lot of fussing about, "You're going to spoil your appetite!!" As if that could happen!!

[It shouldn't]

Going to my SIL's. Hubby's whole family will be there.

I will bring Lemon merigne pie and a pumpkin roll.

Our daughter is stationed in Germany this year, so won't be home.

[McGoddess09]

I'll be coming home from school the night before, since my last class doesn't end until 4:18. I'll probably work open the day of, shower, go to my grandma's.

We will be having:
Ham
sweet potatoes with marshmallow topping (and a side without for my grandpa)
corn
cranberry sauce
my grandma's delicious salad
dinner rolls
mashed taters and gravy


Last year I missed out on eating with the family because I had to work. This year, that won't happen!