Up and At’em!

Okay, Dear Readers. Up and At’em! Get yourselves in gear and get organizing for the big feast! Now, if you are the "Cooker" of the family, as I am, that means today is the day for the following preparations:
1. Clean (or at least pretend to) your home. Better yet! Get your visiting loved ones (your college kids) to do it for you. (You might as well clean yourself while you're at it. You don't want to smell like a turkey after all.)
2. Clean your kitchen. This is not a negotiable preparation item. The reasons for having a VERY clean kitchen are many; a. You are a better cook in a clean kitchen. b. Cleanliness is next to, well, good foodliness. c. Everyone always gathers in the kitchen so have yours be clean and tidy.
3. Begin preparations for the side dishes such as the mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, etc. (i.e.) Wash the potatoes and place them in the cooking pot so it's simply add water and boil on Urkey day, savvy?) Realize you need to purchase ingredients for the side dishes! Now that you realize you need ingredients for the the side dishes, MAKE A LIST!!!!! Carry it about your house with you and check your cabinets and refrigerator and freezer for ALL the things you need, not just for Urkey Day but for the rest of week. (Snacks, milk, eggs, etc.) For goodness sake, put "turkey" on your Urkey Day list. Tomorrow at the store will be hideous. Avoid the dreaded "double shop" by having a list. Oh yeah, BRING THE LIST WITH YOU TO THE STORE!!! Take a picture of the list so when you forget the list, you are covered. (I have heard this can be helpful.)
4. Now that you have done your preparations, make certain all these wonderful yummies (you are about to purchase and make) can fit in your refrigerator! Before anything else, go get your roasting pan and make room for it in the refrigerator, NOW. Trust me, you will thank me later.
5. Purchase wine and meal components TODAY (if possible) so you can prep your turkey at your leisure and avoid all the poor (non-Mary's Kitchen-reading) shmows at the store tomorrow.
6. Make your pie crusts today! (YES! Make the pie crusts! You got this!) If not, purchase a really good pre-made one and don't tell anyone. Prepare your pie fillings today also. I always bake my pies on Urkey Day; after all, it is only once a year.
7. Relax. Have a nice drink. After all, you got your kid(s) to clean your house and you read this blog so even if you are a super busy procrastinator, like me, you're on track for Urkey Day! Yay you!

Please share any Urkey Day preparation tips in the comments section so we can help each other.

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