Preparing for Thanksgiving: Recipes and Decor

I love Thanksgiving.

It is a beautiful day to show appreciation for all of the blessings in our lives.

It is a day to bring family and friends together, to enjoy each other’s company, and share a meal.

The warmth of my home, the aroma of our meal, and the chatter of those who are dear fill me with such gratitude for all of the goodness in my life.

This year was the year that I began this blog.  I am thankful for you, my readers, and for other bloggers that welcomed me into this world and collaborated with me.  If you are looking for some fall decor inspiration to add to your Thanksgiving holiday, visit the Festive Fall Home Tours.  I was honored and humbled to work with 9 talented ladies for this amazing home tour.

You can also check out my 5 Simple Ideas to Decorate for Autumn.

Thanksgiving is about family, friendship, football, and of course, the food.

From breakfast, while watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, to the feast we will share with family, the food is center-stage of this holiday.

With so many recipes out there, how do you decide which ones to make when you want your dinner to be enjoyable and delicious?

I have put together some of my family’s favorite recipes that will be on our dinner table next week.

Actually, I will be preparing some of these this upcoming weekend to make life easier next week.  It is such a great feeling to have it all done and then be able to sit down and watch the parade on Thanksgiving morning, while the aroma of roasting turkey begins to fill our home.

For breakfast we keep it pretty simple, since we are going to be feasting later in the day:

• Fresh fruit
• Perfect Pumpkin Bars
• Five Ingredient Egg White Sandwiches

We like to have our Thanksgiving dinner mid-afternoon.  I usually put out some crackers and cheese, along with veggies in a bread cornucopia (post coming!).

I have linked my favorite recipes that I use for our Thanksgiving Feast.  Our menu includes:

• Perfect Turkey  (Make sure to brine your turkey overnight!)
• Pepperidge Farm Bread Stuffing, made with chicken stock.  (This is something I always make as it reminds me of Thanksgiving at my Grandmother’s house.)
• Damn Delicious Roasted Vegetables
• The Pioneer Woman’s Delicious, Creamy Mashed Potatoes
• The Best Homemade Cranberry Sauce Ever
• Sweet Potato Casserole (I follow the recipe on the back of the Kraft Jet Puffed marshmallow’s package.)
• Roasted Butternut Squash

Of course, there needs to be dessert.

My son, Christopher, loves chocolate cream pie, while my daughter, Elisabeth, prefers pumpkin pie.

I have a confession…I often purchase the pies.

Being a working mom, sometimes something has to give…and Stew Leonard’s make amazing pies.

If I do make the pumpkin pie, I keep it simple and just follow the recipe on the Libby’s can of pumpkin.  I love the Pillsbury ready made pie crust, or Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Pie Crust.  So simple and so delicious!

On this special day, we also celebrate my brother’s birthday, so there is Carvel Ice Cream cake for dessert too.  🙂

What are some special recipes or traditions that you enjoy sharing with family on this special day?   How do you prepare for this holiday of thanks?

I would love to hear your thoughts!