Thanksgiving Preparations are in Motion

Okay, so between updating Go Workout Mom and writing this post, I am starting the food preparations and housecleaning for Thanksgiving. It's much more enjoyable writing about the plans than facing the housecleaning. Asher and Stephanie are peacefully napping and it's quiet. A while back I participated in a Friday Faves Meme about Holidays. Thanksgiving is my favorite!!!

Here's our Thanksgiving Menu:

Butternut Squash and Apple Soup. Thanks, Terri, for finding this awesome recipe.

Turkey Mercedes. I'm gonna cook it this year. The last two years we've had deep fried turkey and, well, I'm up for a traditional spread. This turkey is marinated in lemons, white wine and orange juice overnight. I haven't tried the recipe, but it was the winner of USA Magazines 2006 contest.

Baked Ham. Ryan's Dad, Terry, makes a wonderful slow baked ham. He starts cooking it sometime around 2 or 3 AM in the morning and it is absolutely amazing. A regular on our Thanksgiving table.

Cranberry/Raspberry Mold. This recipe comes from Betty Crocker's Easy Entertaining Cookbook. Ryan's Grandmother gave me the cookbook the Christmas after we were married. We have yet to be disappointed by a menu or recipe from this book. This Cranberry mold redefines the cranberry role at our table. Last year, there was maybe a smidgen left of the bunt pan sized dish.

Scalloped Sweet Potatoes. The first year I made this dish, it was the ugliest dish I've seen. It requires half and half and somewhere along the baking process, it managed to separate and currdled. If you've ever seen currdled milk, then you know what I'm talking about. UGLY! But it tasted great. So after I did some research (thank you Well Trained Mind Board Mommas), I discovered that the dish was much prettier if I used regular milk and heavy cream in place of the half and half. Last year we had a pretty and great tasting dish. What makes this one so unique is that it's not overly sweet and sugary. The natural sweetness of the potatoes are the crowning flavors!

Oyster Casserole. Another wonderful addition from Ryan's Dad.

Green Bean Casserole. Ryan's Mom, Jean, is the queen of the green bean casserole.

Creamed Corn Casserole. My mom made this dish when we were younger and Asher loves corn. It's so simple to make with a can of creamed corn, regular corn, a bit of butter and crackers on top.

Mashed Potatoes. I'm still debating on making this dish. It's not difficult, but we are a bit overloaded with starches. It's just that there is an expectation to have the typical "fare" on Thanksgiving and for us, mashed potatoes has always been on the list. If I have time, then I may find myself making them.

Corn Bread Dressing. I'm still working on getting a better recipe for this one. I have a Sausage/Cornbread dressing recipe I'll be basing on this year. I'm omitting the meat. We have enough as it is, but I'm still uncertain about the prospects of the dressing.

Turkey Gravy. I might try a gravy from the turkey stock. Not sure yet.

Pumpkin Ice Cream Cake. This recipe comes from Pampered Chef Celebrations Cookbook. Absolutely delicious and so simple to make. Here are the pictures of Asher and Stephanie helping.

Teamwork, I love it.

Apple Pie. I have my Grandma Apple's (yes, my maiden name) Apple Pie recipe. I improve on it every year. There is truly a art to making a great pie and I'm still trying to master the skill. The crust is most challenging, but the filling is sometimes difficult to get too. So much depends on the apples and the oven.

Grossmama's Eggnog. I picked up this recipe from Ria on the Well Trained Mind Boards four years ago? I think it was 4 years. Yes, we've been lurking on the Well Trained Mind Boards (a Homeschooling Board) even before we had children. Anyway, Ria provided the best tasting Eggnog we've ever had. We make it once a year and it's peace on earth!!! Ahh, I can't wait. We've already started it because it takes 3 days for the alcohol, eggs and sugar to "cook" in the refrigerator. The first year we served it with Ryan's family there was plenty for Ryan and I to enjoy through the weekend past Thanksgiving. Last year, we had very little left. We converted the "non-Eggnog" crowd to it!

Wine. Ryan's brother, Matt, is bringing a wine of some sorts.

Big Television brought over from Ryan's Dad's house. We have a rather small TV that is not condusive to proper Football Viewing--this ensures proper entertainment:)