8am – rise 'n shine, make eggs and flapjack for the family, put parade going on TV
9am – get the cranberry/orange/pecan jello stuff going
10am – start in on the pumpkin pie(s) using a new to me type this year for the filling… it's all green and lumpy but the guy at the farmer's market swears that it's his mom's favorite… we'll just see about that
Noon – get the pie(s) in, switch TV over to football, and throw out some snacks for the masses
1pm – start assembling the "bird" for a 1:30 start… We go Tofurkey at our place as a matter of conscious. It's the one day a year I sign-off on eating something that isn't looking back at me. I thought the wife had lost her mind the first year she had suggested a tofu pho-turkey, but I tell you what, it is some darn fine eating and pretty easy to fix just right
2pm – mashed little red potatoes & baked sweet potatoes
3pm – boiled onions, steamed carrots & celery, steamed green beans w/ shaved almonds
3:15 – stuffing, brown gravy, warm the bread up a fuzz
3:30 – eat till it hurts, and then just a little more
4:30 till close – Port wine in the Barcalounger while rubbing undercarriage and watching those who didn't cook (everyone but me) pick up and wash dishes.
It's a proven system for us and I enjoy every minute of it, despite the fact we could go to the best resturant in town for 1/2 the price and none of the effort, but that just's wouldn't be as much fun. My only regret is that my inlaws have both now passed-on and my own parents will also not be able to travel and join us this year, so it's just the three of us, the 6 idiot dogs, and the giant grumpy parrot Steve, but you play to the audience you have & say a prayer for the rest.
Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends here and their families too.
Looking forward to seeing yall at Sand Dog XI,
Fred