I did ignore your warning, and left the house to head for the mall before 8 this morning. I heard on the radio that Sears would be open at 5, so there must be people even crazier than I am out there. Hard to believe, but I actually look forward to the crowds and long lines. It's been part of Christmas as long as I can remember, and my husband stays home with the kids. What's not to like?

I've made my last pumpkin pie. Once again it was thick and gooey, and I wasn't fooling anyone with the grocery store crust. Where did you get the recipe for the pumpkin moussse tart? Maybe I'll try that at Christmas.

Don't throw away that pumpkin pie! I made the apple butter pumpkin pie that was in the paper recently. It was so much better than my normal pie that I will be making it from now on. I also used the Pillsbury crusts that you roll out. They were great.

I also brined the turkey (thanks, Kim!) and found it to be outstanding. Our dinner was great! I did go shopping today, but it wasn't as bad as you might think. I live in Gambrills and there was parking, lots of checkers, etc. I think I waited in line for 5 or 6 minutes! I think it really helped that Kohls in Bowie had a banker's line going. They were great. I did go to the store on Wednesday (misery) and Thursday (annoying--for ONE thing!). Next year I will make sure I not only have all my FOOD (which i did have) but also my EQUIPMENT, which I didn't.

As far as organization, I use a binder (albeit not perfectly) system that I got from www.flylady.net. It is called a control journal and has a holiday version that you can print out. I found it to be extremely helpful.

One more thing--I have a lot of leftover turkey, and my husband made turkey fried rice with some of it. Tomorrow I am going to make the turkey crescent roll wreath recipe that I got from a pampered chef party. I recommend it!

This blog has not been advertised very well. As much as people love to chat, you would think the post would talk it up a little more.

Last thing--I love Michigan! We go there every summer!

Shopping was much easier than in years past. So much so I am hoping the online #s look good or the step picks up before the econ indicator wonks go nuts. I do take off the whole week and it is easier. I clean the weekend before if I can, and I force my husband to do most of the cleaning (even if I am not thrilled with the results it is easier to do a light cleaning job than start from nothing).

Yeah, the very last thing you get is the turkey, and you get it in plastic and have someone wait with the turkey while you get the car. Whole Foods had staff out front watching baskets giving you a number so you could go fetch the car and bring it close to the store front then load the groceries.

Even if you need more items, put the turkey in the car, then go do whatever.

Plan what you can ahead of time, and don't try to be perfect. If people expect you to be, start a new family tradition without them.

Good luck with the daughter in the coming weeks!

Our Thanksgiving was lovely, even though the food was not up to my standards. Tsk! I must learn to be easier on myself! My son and his girlfriend joined my husband and I. We had lamb (dry), corn pudding (overcooked), roasted potatoes (didn't get crunchy outside), acorn squash (too crunchy) and green beans w/ginger (blah). But after eating, we cleared the table and played cards for a few hours, a nice treat with family we don't see that often. And that's what it's all about.

I love doing Thanksgiving dinner because, except for cooking the turkey, EVERYTHING can be done ahead. Mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, cranberries, pies, sausage & vegies for dressing, even gravy can be done ahead. I highly recommend, if you do one thing ahead of time, that you do the gravy. For me there was never anything worse than putzing with gravy while everyone waited for it. God invented turkey parts of make-ahead gravy. If people need a recipe, I can post.

I think my lesson this year was to not make quite so much food, it appears that this year the get-together was short a few people that *always* show up (we have a very casual RSVP rule, as in we don't have one). Ah well, good thing I like sweet potatoes....

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