MAKE AHEAD MASHED POTATO CASSEROLE

Calling this a casserole is a bit of a stretch, but it is in a casserole dish...

This year I am really planning ahead and trying to make things in advance so that my Thanksgiving Day cooking doesn't leave me totally exhausted. Sometimes I'm so tired by the time we eat, I'm not even hungry. Not this year...

I've already done the menu planning, all the shopping, recipes are finalized, veggies are prepped and I'm starting to put together things that are either meant to be served cold or are intentionally made ahead to heat up again before dinner. 

This mashed potato casserole is one of those items. And they are delicious!!

CRANBERRY CURRANT AND WALNUT OATMEAL COOKIES

One of my favorite things about the holidays is having all the kids at home. My daughter is almost 20 and moved out more than a year ago. She is in school and I don't get to see her as much as I would like. This may be just fine for her..., but I miss her. She is home for 4 whole days!!

As she becomes more responsible and out on her own, she needs to eat. Well, she needs to eat something more than fast/student food. She is quickly finding out that she needs to learn to cook. She didn't have a lot of interest in cooking when she lived at home, but I'm soooo happy that she wants to learn now!

CANDIED SWEET POTATOES WITH PECANS

Sweet and saucy made-from-scratch sweet potatoes with a pecan crumble and marshmallow topping. What could be better than that!!

I make a basic whipped sweet potato back every single year and I have done so since my daughter was little, she's almost 20 now. As a rule, I try to avoid things in cans these days and wanted to change this up a bit. I may have to make the others too this year, just in case, but I think she is going to love these, I know I do!  and yes, I realize these have marshmallows. Baby steps people, baby steps. My daughter can only handle so much change at one time!! :-)

FRESH CRANBERRY SAUCE

So, I've made my menus, I've done all the shopping and now I'm ready to get this show on the road! Our family dinner is going to be Friday this year, so I've got an extra day to prepare/wait...

I decided to take a look at what was on my menu that I could make ahead and there are a few things that may even taste better come Turkey Day if I make them now. 

First on the list of things to make ahead... Cranberry Sauce!!

THANKSGIVING 2013 MENU - ALL LINKED UP

Wow, it's been a busy week/month/year... I can't believe the holidays are already here. 

Over the last couple of weeks, I've been putting together my Thanksgiving menu. Some items are tried and true, but I always like to throw a few new things into the mix. Who knows? We might find something that becomes our new family tradition. 

FALL SQUASH AND SWEET POTATO SOUP

The flavors of fall just call my name. I've been thinking about a new soup that I wanted to make that involved Garam Masala. Garam Masala is a traditional Indian seasoning blend that is used to make many Indian dishes including curry sauces, which I LOVE! Garam Masala is a spice blend mainly made up of Coriander, Black Pepper, Cumin, Cardamom and Cinnamon.