My Thanksgiving marching orders

Our Thanksgiving is actually spread out over three days. 

That's right, TMI-ers...three complete Thanksgiving meals in three days.  I'm preparing for a turkey coma that could last me well into December! 

I am only hosting one of those meals, but I am contributing to the other two.

For the Big Guy's family, I've been asked to bring apple pie.  Obviously, I'll be using Martha's recipe. For the other Thanksgiving, I'll bring pumpkin pies and green bean casserole.  And since it's a cousin's birthday, I've offered to make whatever he wants for dessert (no word yet on what that may be). 

Maybe pie?  Could be pie.

Martha Monday--Thanksgiving Menu Planning

Thanksgiving is only 10 days away! For those of us Marthas-in-training who are hosting people for the holiday dinner, now is the time to plan our meals and make the shopping list. 

If you need help planning the menu, Martha has done the work for you.   

We'll be hosting my family for the Big Meal, and I have my menu all planned out:

Roast turkey (brined the Martha way, of course)

Mashed potatoes and gravy

Sweet potatoes

Green bean casserole (it's just not Thanksgiving without this dish!)

Herbed carrots

Cranberry sauce (from a can, just the way I like it)

Rolls and butter

You'll notice I left out stuffing, soup and salad.  Stuffing just isn't very popular in the TMI household, and I don't want to waste valuable stomach space on soup and salad when there's a huge turkey and sides waiting to be devoured.  I can have soup and salad any old day...why bother with it on Thanksgiving?

And for dessert, we'll have pecan, pumpkin and Martha's apple pie. 

What's on your Thanksgiving menu? 

Fall fun

Several weeks ago, I mentioned that I was going to try to get out and enjoy fun fall activities as much as possible before cold weather drove me indoors.  Amazingly, between housework, exhaustion and mandatory events, I accomplished this goal.

Here's what I've been up to...

For my birthday, my family and I trooped out to Buckley Homestead in Lowell, Indiana to see a recreation of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow.  We had a great time!

At the Yorkville Labor Day Fest, I enjoyed my very first deep-fried Twinkie. YUM!

At the Aurora Fall Fest, we checked out a petting zoo (among other things) at Phillips Park. The Little Guy really enjoyed this.  I tried to sneak out a rabbit in my big green purse, but the Big Guy was on to me.  He has a strict "1 animal only" house rule.  Drats!

For the Little Guy's birthday, we took a bunch of family over to Blackberry Farm.  I had a blast on the carousel.  Okay, truthfully, as you can see by my facial expression, I was really dizzy and trying to make the best of it.  Those kids just don't get tired of going around and around, do they?  The Little Guy and his cousin must've ridden on the carousel a dozen times.  Crazy kids!

Most recently, the TMI household headed out to the Red Oak Nature Center for some hiking and cave exploration.  No dizziness involved here.

It was great to get that bunch of fall fun in before the weather got too cold.  These memories will help me make it through the cold months ahead.  Or at least until I can get my hands on another deep-fried Twinkie. 

My Thanksgiving decorations

Thanksgiving doesn't lend itself much to decorations, other than fancy centerpieces and placecards, but I don't let that deter me.  Take a look at my Thanksgiving decorations on the mantel, courtesy of family friend Diana.

First up is a lovely Pilgrim couple.  He's holding a turkey, and she's holding a cornucopia.  I want to make a short movie with them, but so far the dialogue just isn't working. I'll keep you posted.

Next up is a tom and hen (is that the appropriate terminology?) salt and pepper shaker set.  I have yet to actually use them for salt and pepper.  They're just too cute, so they stay on the mantel.

I love this Waterford turkey.  Whoever thought of crafting a turkey out of crystal is a genuis.  A true visionary.  Seriously, it's a crystal turkey!?!

Finally, I have this turquoise color glass set.  The large turkey is actually some kind of dish (maybe a candy dish?) and the smaller turkey looks like it could be a taper candle holder.  The blue color blows my mind.  Seriously, turquoise color turkeys?!?

Finally, this last piece of turkey-themed decoration comes from the Little Guy. 

It's not crystal, and it's not turquoise, but it's still a work of art to me. 

Thanksgiving family fun

Last year, the TMI household hosted 20+ for Thanksgiving.  It was a blast!  I started things off with a fun family project.  In the foyer, I hung two large sheets of paper (Post-It makes large easel-size sheets that are like giant sticky notes) with the caption "Welcome, family and friends! Happy Thanksgiving!"

I then posed a question:  "What are you thankful for?  Share your blessings with us!"

I left a few markers on a table near the paper, and drew my own little hand-turkey with a message to get things started.

As you can see from the pictures, everyone got involved.  Most peoploe gave the usual "friends and family" response, but the illustrations provided even more insight into what people were grateful for:  football, turkey and wine.

And pumpkin pie, which is most definately a blessing!

And no, I am not responsible for the drawings of turkey or pie. Though I am exceedingly grateful for both.

If you are hosting Thanksgiving this year, then I encourage you to include these super big post-it notes on your shopping list.  Hang a few on the wall, leave out some markers, and let your guests express themselves through hand-turkey drawings.  Because nothing says "I'm thankful" like a heartfelt hand-turkey.  Gobble!