Twinsight 35 of 50: Simplify Thanksgiving

After our 2008 Thanksgiving walk: Leah, Sonia, Andrea & Chloe

We love to host Thanksgiving at our house for Steve's parents, his siblings and their families. And through the years, we loved when my parents could travel to be with us. It's such a great launch to the Christmas season, and the combination of flavors makes the house smell so wonderful. However, for a about a 10-year stretch, it seemed that one of my parents had a serious health problem on Thanksgiving and our plans were tentative. Actually, one year my mom and I spent Thanksgiving in the Grand Forks, ND, hospital when my dad was there, and it ended up being a really sweet time with them despite the fact we ate canned vegetable soup!

Through the years of having tentative plans, being a working mom, and also wanting to volunteer, I've learned to simplify our Thanksgiving so it's doable, meaningful, enjoyable, and relatively healthy. I've also wanted to fully involve our girls so they confidently know how to make a Thanksgiving meal. And they do! Here's how we roll.

In early November, we work with Steve's family to confirm where we're having Thanksgiving and what everyone will bring, and then I think through the menu which varies little from year to year. I also order a fully-cooked turkey from Lunds (just the turkey, not the dinner).

The weekend before, we go to Costco and buy all the ingredients that we can and order the rest online from Coborns Delivers in our usual weekly order.

The day before, I usually take the day off or at least the afternoon. I pick up the turkey, and then the girls and I prepare all the food that we can and set out the nice dishes so everything's ready to go. And I'm not sure why, but I love filling the house with classical music that day, in particular. When the girls were young, we put post-it notes on each serving dish so none of us would forget what goes where (which now again is helpful being in the 50+ crowd...).

The morning of, we usually volunteer which is our favorite part of the day, and then get home early afternoon.

The early afternoon of, we put the turkey in the oven (only takes an hour or two to heat up) and do last minute prep, and then our family comes and sometimes special friends who can join us. Our menu this year will be:

• Artichoke dip with veggies and pita triangles—Leah has a new recipe that she’s making this year.
• Turkey—A fully cooked one is the key to a simplified Thanksgiving.
• Gravy—Hardly anyone in our family eats it so I just buy one small jar and no one has ever complained!
• Stuffing and jellied cranberries—My in-laws always bring their favorite. 
• Mashed potatoes—Leah’s in charge of these. We try to get North Dakota potatoes when we can because they're the best!
• Roasted veggies—The day before, we'll roast sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, carrots and onions with kosher salt and olive oil and serve them at room temperature. I think I'll serve the sweet potatoes on a bed of arugula, and the rest on an oblong tray.
• Tossed salad—My sister-in-law and her family will bring.
• Whole grain rolls.
• Pumpkin pie and ice cream—My brother-in-law and his family will bring.

In the late afternoon, but we pray, eat, love (trite, but true!)...pray with a heart of thankfulness...eat the wonderful meal...and love just hanging out, cleaning up the kitchen in the course of talking and laughing, and going for a nice, brisk walk.

Wishing you a simply wonderful time of preparing for and enjoying Thanksgiving.

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