The Day Before Turkey Day and All Through My House...

I used to get all wound up about Thanksgiving preparations. Not this year. Nope. The turkey has been thawing slowly in the fridge. The pies I bought from the school fundraiser are all set. I have what I need to put out a really nice feast. Maybe it's because there's just five of us to plan for, but I am not rattled. Today, I will pop out to the grocery to get some more fruit and a couple of other quick items, but then I'll be back home, warm and cozy, to bake cranberry eggnog muffins. And I have a new recipe for pumpkin pie bars I want to try. I'll make the meat dressing for the turkey as well; that takes a little more prep, but it's worth it. It's a recipe that my maternal grandmother used to make, as did my mother. I've tweaked it over the years, as I do not use the giblets. I don't feel the need to do so; they are rubbery and weird when boiled, and not worth the effort. That said, I'll get that molten mass of meat and crackers and a couple of boxes of Bell's Seasoning going. (Yes, there's also celery and shallot involved, and I use chicken stock to boil the meat.)

Veggie prep won't be too bad; I do seem to have a penchant for orange, though. I like butternut squash, sweet potatoes, and we'll have carrots (Holly likes them). There will be both canned Ocean Spray cranberry sauce and home-made applesauce. I will likely do some green beans as well. What I'm not as sure about is whether I'll make some cornbread stuffing as well. I'm puzzling on that. I may just want to use that for leftovers night(s). 

I have some purchased rolls; Meg said she'd make some, but she really is pressed for time, since she hasn't got a day off. No matter what, we'll have plenty to eat. And then some. I don't envision cooking much for the next several days. 

What do you do the night before Thanksgiving, regarding dinner? I'm thinking pizza. No effort needed, and no leftovers to find room for. This is the only time I wish I had a bigger refrigerator. Alas, I do not. And I don't have a "cold room" either-- yes, there's the deck, but I don't want marauding birds, neighborhood cats, or a late-moving bear to show up. 

What I'm looking forward to, honestly, is another morning to not wake up early, one where I can flump around in my flannel nightie and have coffee. And I'll likely do it again on Friday, too. I need this little break, and I'm happy to have it. I'm going to embrace slower mornings.

Enjoy your day-before! If you are traveling, be safe. I'm happy to report, the ice storm passed through, and we are looking at a brighter day today. I hope that it is a metaphor for times to come.

C