Thanksgiving will be here before you know it - Things you need to think about

Thanksgiving is close.  Really close.  Its a little over 2 weeks away.  If you are having people over or just having an intimate family dinner, there are so many things to remember.  Menu review, beverages, games, extra tables and seating, games to watch, and games to play.  So many things to think about.  Getting it done early will help you relax and enjoy this wonderful holiday.

Food

My menu will include the following:

• Turkey
• Ham
• Mashed potatoes
• Smoked gouda mashed potatoes
• Turkey Gravy
• Sausage and cornbread stuffing
• Deviled Eggs
• Homemade Bread
• Scalloped  potatoes with 4 cheeses
• Cauliflower Gratin
• Green Beans Almondine
• Brussel Sprouts with Pistachios
• Multigrain Rice Pilaf
• Pumpkin Pie
• Apple Pie

For the turkey,  I like to use fresh turkeys.  I always call my local grocery store (Heinen's http://www.heinens.com/ ) and order my turkey.  If I plan on cooking a lot of turkey I will order 2 small turkeys.  That way they stay moist.   Both the ham and turkey I cook Thanksgiving Day.

All the potatoes can be peeled cooked, and stored until then are needed.  This saves you a ton of time.

Sausage cornbread stuffing can be prepped and stored in the fridge. I always use Bob Evans sage sausage.  Its yummy good!  I add the turkey broth (cooked from the turkey scraps, onion, and celery) to the stuffing mixture and bake right before we eat.

Deviled eggs can be made the night before.

Scalloped potatoes can be prepped the night before and baked the day of.

Brussel sprouts with crushed pistachios can be prepped the night before.

Rice Pilaf can be be prepped and quickly headed the day of.

Green Beans Almondine can be prepped the night before.

Apple and Pumpkin pie can be made the day before.

*I plan on posting a lot of my recipes.  Look for them in the days to come.

Beverages

Who doesn't like to drink "fun" beverages with Thanksgiving dinner.  My kids love, love, love sparkling grape juice.  I let them drink it in fancy glasses and it just makes them smile.

For grown-ups, you can easily set up a "grown up" drink bar. Included some juices and sparkling waters.  Also include fruits, various olives, and mixing straws.

 I will usually take a nice metal bucket and fill it with fall and winter style beers...maybe some Christmas Ales, Pumpkin Ales, and some Apple Cider style bottles beverages.

Games

I am all about football on Thanksgiving.  I lived in Michigan as a youth and some of my fondest Thanksgiving memories were watching the Detroit Lions play.  Make sure you have a room designated for just "football people."   I also make sure the kids have something to do.  Whether that be watching movies, playing board games, playing a few interactive video games, or even playing cards.  

Seating and Miscellaneous

Its the little things that can sometimes stress you out.  Make sure you have extra tables to set your food on, and maybe a few side tables for everyone to sit drinks and appetizer plates on.  Places like Bed Bath and Beyond and Target have a ton of decorations and napkins/table clothes.  If you are going to use Chinet and plastic cups, stock up now.  If you are going to use China, make sure you have enough plates for everyone.  Another nice tip is to set up beverage stations and appetizer stations around the house, and not just in one area.