Going tomorrow. Ran over to the store today cause I needed some food for tonight. Pie was on sale and you got a free whip cream with it. I bought pecan, pumpkin, and turtle pies and got three whip creams. Already told the kids if they get into it, we won't have it for Thanksgiving. Also got Blue Bell ice cream on sale. Now I just need to get a turkey and some potatoes.

I just returned and will have another run later in the week as people arrive. I could not find jarred mince meat for my peaches. Will have to hit a different store to look for it. I just may have to change grocery stores as this one is smaller and does not carry some things. I got the last brick of Swiss cheese. No medium sized baking potatoes available, and I am not baking giant ones for 12. Their dairy section has two or three of everything, but they disappear fast.

This was my favorite store long ago, but it merged and changed ownership. Then I found another store, but it was recently closed. I returned to the first store, but I guess I need to find yet another.

I'm ready because I don't have all that much to do. We're celebrating Thanksgiving on Sunday at my daughter's house because they'll be in NYC for a few days over the actual Thanksgiving. I'm bringing carrots and garlic-roasted butternut squash.

Not quite ready but I will be. I took my $10 off a $50 grocery total coupon to Top Foods yesterday and got pumpkin, pecans, cream, cream cheese, spices, shortening, most of my pie ingredients except fresh apples. Mushrooms - and I sautéed and froze those for the mushroom dressing today (one step down and out of the way).

I'll do appetizers and desserts. My sis is cooking the turkey, rolls, potatoes. I'll make the gravy for her. My brother wants to bring his rotisserie and add a prime rib, I don't think anyone will go hungry. Should be fun, I haven't been together with all of my family at once in a few months, and I haven't seen my nephews children since Marysville-Pilchuck school shooting and they were all there at school that day. I need to hug them.

The missus is one of six siblings, we always drive the 2+ hours to Chicagoland (it's too far for them to drive to us!). I have suggested that we take a quart of my summer canned dilly beans. We can carry that without problem. There will probably be 20 people and the way I packed those beans, there should be plenty for all. We could also take some other pickled items.

That's all we have to do, a tank of gas and 4+ hours of driving.

Family affair will indulge in the traditional buffet at local upscale buffet: We've been enjoying this for many years.

SWEET BEGINNINGS BREAD DISPLAY
sticky buns : bear claws : muffins : croissants
coffee cake : banana bread
MERKâÂÂS BISCUIT BAR
sweet potato biscuits : buttermilk biscuits : cheddar-bacon : cranberry scones

CHILLED CREATIONS
loâ country pickled shrimp : julep cured salmon : smoked local trout
artisan & farmstead cheese display : honey roasted almonds : dried fruits
cured meats & salamis : pickled vegetables : house mustard
individual baby wedge salads
spinach pear & cranberry salad
smoked chicken waldorf
artisan breads : flatbreads : crostini

BOUNTIFUL BREAKFAST
country sausage : Conecuhî sausage
smoked natural bacon
country benedicts - fried green tomatoes & country ham
roasted yukon potatoes

McKewnî stone ground grit bar
shrimp : bacon : ham : green onions : cheddar & feta cheese

sawmill & me-mawâÂÂs tomato gravy

OMELET BAR
prepared by Hyatt Regency Culinarians
asparagus : smoked salmon : crab : bacon : green onions : goat cheese : cheddar cheese
peppers : roasted tomato salsa : grilled mushrooms

LUNCHEON ITEMS
roast cider brined turkey breast
natural pan gravy : cranberry chutney

HAND CARVED
dry rubbed prime rib of beef
au jus : creamy horseradish sauce

yukon gold butter whipped potatoes
brussels sprouts hash
sautéed green beans with shitake cream
sweet potato puree with streusel topping
honey roasted root vegetables

DESSERT STATION
pumpkin spiced cake with cream cheese frosting : apple tart with caramel sauce : trifle shooters
bourbon pecan pie : white chocolate & dried cherry bread pudding
mini pastries : chocolates

I ordered a complete turkey dinner from Von's today........we are not sure if our daughter and her SO will be here or not.
First time since I worked full time and worked on Thanksgiving I have not cooked everything from scratch.
I have had a difficult year healthwise so settled for store bought.

I'm getting ready! I've already made a few things that freeze well to keep the chaos down on the actual day, so that I can enjoy our family and friends. Last year was my first year hosting and it was chaotic! I learned a lot of lessons, that's for sure. We're having somewhere between 9 and 12 people. I will finish my shopping up this weekend.

Here's our menu:

Appetizers:
Stuffed Mushrooms- Brie and French Onion
Bruschetta
Baked Brie en Croûte with Apple Compote
Spinach Feta Dip with pita chips
Guinness and Cheddar Dip with pretzels

Main Dishes:
Turkey
Gravy
Stuffing
Mashed Potatoes
Soul Sweet Potatoes
Sweet Potatoes with Sage Crumbs
Butternut Squash Puree
Green Bean Casserole
Whisky Glazed Carrots
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Fresh Corn Casserole
Cranberry Sauce
Honey Yeast Rolls

Desserts:
Caramel Apple Cheesecake Pie
Pumpkin Cream Pie
Chocolate Peanut Butter Tart

Since we are having Thanksgiving at our granddaughter's I only have a few things I will be taking. I will fix and take candied sweet potatoes, chicken and homemade noodles, and a pumpkin pie. These are things they have asked me to bring. Our meal will probably be around 1:00 not sure, I know it will not be an evening meal.

Sue

I have my turkey and some of the fixings. Will buy the remainder on Monday after bridge.

Reading about all this food has me drooling! It sounds so yummy. Sue - I haven't eaten homemade noodles since my mom passed away several years ago. I really miss her noodle dishes; they were all delicious.

glenda,

I missed the bit at the top of your post about you going to a buffet, and thought that was the list of dishes you were preparing for Thursday, and I was thinking OMG that's rather ambitious, she better get started now.

We are traveling quite a distance (Virginia to Rhode Island) for Thanksgiving, and will also be shuttling a niece and the daughter of a friend to their respective homes along the way. We'll spend Tuesday night at my brother's in northern Virginia, where we'll pick up the niece, spend Wednesday night at my wife's sister's place in Connecticut, before continuing on to another sister's place on Block Island, for Thanksgiving and the weekend.

For Friday after Thanksgiving I've been asked to make "Chinese" food, for 11 or 12 people. I'm stressing a little about that since it'll be an unfamiliar kitchen, on an island likely with few "international" items in the grocery store. Wish me luck.

Oh my, some of you are really having a "spread"! Ours will be simple...the Friday after when everyone has had their fill of the traditional meal.
Sue, I am also having chicken and noodles (requested by grandkids and picky son)...of course mashed potatoes....one GS asked for my sweet potatoes...GD asked for rolls. We should have a "carb over-load"! I got a suggestion from someone that I do a ice cream sundae bar, with cookies and brownies. I think that might be a good change from pumpkin and pecan pies. It isn't so much as what I fix as it is that we all get together. Oh yes, additional favor....the grandkids/kids put up my Christmas decorations after lunch because I am banded from ladders!

Pumpkin Pie is one of the easiest to make, so will stir that up Wednesday nite. Plus a few other dips & salads. Never realized it was only a few minutes to cook up Cranberries. So quick, easy, cheap and delicious. Never add breads/rolls. Start nibbling about 9am, like to sit down about 1:00, and the rest of the day is for picking. Enough to repeat the feast 4 days in a row. Gobble til you wobble.