Thanksgiving Series - Have a Plan

Thanksgiving Day is exactly 20 days from today so I thought I would begin a Thanksgiving Series to help you be prepared and part of the party.
Series One: Have a Plan
Okay, I went there... it my not be romantic BUT plans are a good thing, especially if you’re a novice home cook. What exactly does a “plan“ entail? Simple, ideas, organization and lists. That’s not very daunting is it, Dear Readers? Oh of course it’s not.
From now:
1. Order turkey
2. If you’re making it, prepare pie crusts (which may be frozen) and pie fillings (which may be frozen. ) *My homemade apple pie filling is made and frozen as are some potato rolls.
The week of:
Monday before T-Day
1. Clean the house. (This is where the kids will come in handy.)
2. Go to the grocery store to shop for T-Day and night before meal (This way you avoid the crowds.)
3. Plan your wine, side dishes and desserts. Plan for appetizers and munchies too. And make sure all ingredients are on the list. Plan T-Day breakfast. (I always make something special on holiday mornings.)
4. Bring the list to the store! (You’d be amazed at how easy it is to forget potatoes.) May God have mercy on your soul if your husband or male partner is the one going to the store for T-Day, Especially if you do not have a list!
4. Do laundry and if you’re having guests arrive, today is the day to get ready for them.
Tuesday before T-Day
1. Prepare sides such as homemade cranberry sauce. After, they are prepared, put them in the T-Day serving bowl. Defrost anything you made ahead unless it’s bread.
2. Enjoy your guests. Relax.
Wednesday before T-Day
1. Put the kids to work that are home for the holiday.
2. Have activities ready for the kids that are home for the holiday. Activities could include things like making the place cards, collecting fall leaves and such to decorate the table Or simply spending time together in the kitchen.
3. Prepare the bird, broth and stuffing.
4. Have an easy and light dinner. Ready T-Day appetizers/munchies.
5. Set the table for T-Day dinner, platters, bowls, candles and all. Wash any veggies that can be, like potatoes, salad greens, etc.(These are kid-friendly activities.)
6. Calculate when you want to eat dinner and plan to get the bird in the oven in time to have it rested and ready to serve. Remember, it takes time to stuff the bird and season it so plan for that too when calculating.
T-Day
1. You know what to do! After the bird goes in the oven and you have a pot of gravy base on low heat, the bread is defrosting, you have only to know when what sides go in the oven when. Just enjoy and be part of the party and OH yes, one more thing, DO NOT forget to serve the sides you prepared earlier!

​I hope this “plan“ helps and please share any other “plan” items you think might be helpful to other Dear Readers.