Thanksgiving Prep!

It's has been such a long time since I last posted! I am pleased to say that I am gainfully (and happily) employed, and will be moving out of the parents' house in a few months. I don't really have much time for cooking anymore, and I rarely go grocery shopping. It's been a bummer, but I'm pysched for thanksgiving!

So usually every year, it's just my immediate family- mom, dad, sister. This year, however, our aunt, uncle and cousin are coming! This means that I won't get to wear PJs or sweatpants to dinner (bummer), but it's really exciting planning a real menu and cooking for people other than my direct family. My sister and I, being the nerds that we are, created a Google docs spreadsheet to organize what we're serving, what needs to go in the oven when, and what ingredients we need to buy. I keep adding and changing the menu everyday, which she gets pissed about. She literally said that we have too much food. What?! Never!

Here's what's on the menu. Suggestions would be GREAT.

Appetizers/Apertifs
-Prosecco with cranberries in the bottom of the glass
-Martinis (amy doesn't know about this yet. but i might want to make a martini.)
-Salmon and dill with creme freche on toasts
-Datiles (dates wrapped in bacon)
-Shrimp cocktail
-Gougeres (Amy might make them)
-Cocktail Weenies (my dad still loves them)
-Cheese and grape platter (cheddar, muenster, brie, gouda)

I think that's simple enough for 7 people. I'm not a cheese person, so I'm going to rely on my sister (Amy) to help pick out crowd-pleasers. I'm hoping it won't be anything too stinky. I am proud to announce I have broadened my horizons and enjoy non-melted cheddar cheese. BIG step for me.

Dinner
-Turkey (I think we're doing a brine- something Amy will be in charge of)
-Cranberry Jelly (my aunt is bringing)
-Cornbread (my aunt is bringing)
-Thyme-Sourdough stuffing
-Yam Casserole (would it be thanksgiving without it??)
-Mashed Potatoes (the best ever, with the use of my new food mill!)
-Green Beans (probably just plain steamed)
-Glazed carrots
-Homemade traditional gravy
-Corn with Mint (from a NYTimes article here)
-Ready-to-bake rolls

We're mostly traditionalists when it comes to Thanksgiving dinner, but I'm trying to push it a little bit this year. I love trying new things! I'm still convincing my sister on letting me make a Mushroom and Sweet Potato stuffing. With the dinner, we plan on serving Gewurstraminer wine, and maybe Riesling if people prefer that. We served the Gewurstraminer last year, and it went quite well.

Dessert
-Pecan Tart (I will make this tomorrow and keep it in the fridge until Thursday. I am told this will be fine)
-Splenda Apple Pie (I made it for my dad last year, and it was so delicious, my sister asked for it again this year!)
-Sugar-free and regular Vanilla Bean ice cream)
-Pumpkin Pie (Amy is bringing this up from a D.C. fundraiser)
-Cookies (Amy doesn't know this yet, but I am TOTALLY making this amazing-looking Chocolate Crinkle Cookies. I hope they last until Thursday!)
-Bailey's
-Coffee
-Blueberry Sour Cream Cake (my aunt is bringing)

Dessert is pretty much my territory, and I pride myself on not buying store-baked goods, although they are sometimes just as delicious. I am still debating if I want to make a homemade pie-crust this year. Last year, I used a box mix, and it was actually fluffy and delicious. (I know it sounds ridiculous, but trust me.)

Well as I said, we have quite a bit of preparation to do! I would also love to spruce up the table with some great decorations from Target, but I'm reluctant to go to the store. It's going to be nuts!

What dishes do you make on Thanksgiving? Anything special you're looking forward to?