With Thanksgiving just a few hours away, I have checked off a number of items to help get us ready for our big family feast.
Thaw Turkey – Our nearly 22 lb. turkey seemed a bit icy when I checked it today. It has been in the refrigerator since I bought it a week ago. I soaked it in the sink for a couple of hours this afternoon and am hoping that will do the trick. I also had a moment of panic when I realized that a 22 lb. turkey can take six hours to roast. I really don’t want to get up at 6am to stick a turkey in the oven. Then I remembered that my convection oven can do it in four hours. Whew! That was a close call.
Thaw Turkey #2 – We are also thawing a turkey for the Johnson Thanksgiving on Saturday. I haven’t even checked this one, but am hopeful that in two days it will be ready for the oven.
Bake Dinner Rolls – I baked five dozen dinner rolls today. Mike thought that I should have baked six dozen. I reminded him that we are only feeding twelve people. Five dinner rolls per person is probably good.
Make Jell-O Salad – This is not a traditional Thanksgiving food, but I made it a few years ago on a whim and the kids really liked it. Not the healthiest thing I can make, but it is Thanksgiving after all. Who cares about healthy food, right?
Prep Ingredients for Stuffing – I sautéed the onions, celery and mushrooms and also cooked the sausage. Everything will be ready to mix together tomorrow for my “secret recipe” stuffing.
Put Together Relish Tray – I used the tray that was given to us by Mike’s Grandma Alice. Even though she is no longer with us, we will have a little reminder of her in our day tomorrow.
Make “Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes” – The potatoes are all set for tomorrow. All I have to do is add milk and bake them in the oven. Mike’s Grandma Helen always helped with the mashed potatoes and gravy. She was better at it than me, but Mike’s Mom has done a nice job filling in. She takes care of the gravy and I mash the potatoes. I made sure to leave a few lumps in the potatoes because no one could make them as well as Helen.
Make Appetizers – Done!
Clean House – We still need to vacuum tomorrow, but I decided to delegate it to Mike. I actually started a to-do list for him. It only has three items on it so far, but I’m sure I will find a few more to add.
Here’s what I wish I could do at the end of the day tomorrow…
Sophia made this 3D picture of her laying in the hammock in our back yard. Impressive, isn’t it? She included the two trees that the hammock hangs from, a grassy yard, a sun in the sky and a mini replica of herself laying in the hammock. It looks very relaxing and made me think that it would be a very nice way to end the day. Then I remembered that it is November in Minnesota. I may need to hold that thought until the spring.
Sophia also made another picture in anticipation of the upcoming outdoor ice skating season. This is a picture of her and her friends at their elementary school’s ice rink.
Mike has already went to bed and I need to do the same. It’s late and we have a long day ahead.
Happy Thanksgiving!!
M. Sullivan Photography 