-T=Urkey

Well, Dear Readers, Thanksgiving week has arrived! Our older daughter, Alyssa, is home, I only have a few things to pick up at the store, guests are invited, meal preparation is underway and our daughters and I are going to make Apple Cider Donuts for first time Wednesday morning. Wait. What? I am making more food the week of Thanksgiving? Yep. Not only that. I am making more fattening food the week of Thanksgiving! What the heck! The Thanksgiving meal is really like any other meal, Dear Readers, just more of it. More sides, more main dish, more desserts. So, lets think about it a bit differently. Lets think of Thanksgiving Day as Urkey Day. (That is just Turkey Day, minus the "T.") There now, isn't that a little easier to think about? 

To revisit the "more" aspect of Thanksgiving Day, a turkey is just a large, finicky chicken. Most of us have made mashed potatoes before right? (Easy Peasy) For Urkey Day, just make more. Stuffing is little more than bread, stock, onion, meat (if you use it) spices, apple, all mixed together until it tastes like your mother's stuffing right? Right. (Again, easy peasy.) Other sides like green bean, peas, carrots, Brussel sprouts or whatever your family likes are used as decoration around the table. Speaking of decorations, go outside and collect some lovely leaves and scatter them about your table top. Place candles and pretty chargers on your tablecloth-topped table and use cloth napkins. Remember, do ALL this table setting the night BEFORE so it's one less thing to do. (Assign this task to the kids.) I even go so far as to place the serving pieces on the table where I want them so I don't forget anything. YOU are part of the party so make sure you will be part of the party! 

Tonight, after work, make the cranberry sauce. (Don't laugh, it's crazy easy to make.) I like orange juice and zest and brandy in mine but browse the internet for a recipe you like. If you have not dried your bread for the stuffing, do that tonight as well. Now, go pour yourself a nice drink and relax; after all, it's only Urkey Day.