Our Thanksgiving Menu / 2013

We have finalized our Thanksgiving Menu. It may seem a bit odd for our European friends to comprehend how much time , effort and preparation it takes to put on a Thanksgiving Feast for family. I realize that we are probably not the norm, because our house is completely decorated by Thanksgiving so that friends unable to be here for Christmas, or friends that don't get to experience Christmas to the extent that we do, can enjoy a bit of the Holiday with us. We also have many parties and family gatherings between Thanksgiving and Christmas. That may involve simply inviting another couple for an evening or throwing a bash for 100 people. We love to entertain this time of year.
We then create an entirely different menu for Christmas. Our Christmas menu is much more casual and that may be different than other families in America. Many families choose Thanksgiving for their casual celebration and Christmas is more formal. We only have family here for Christmas Eve day because our children have their spouse's families to visit for Christmas too. After we get together on Christmas Eve, my wife and I are done for the Holidays and we typically relax on Christmas Day and go to the movies.

Here's our menu for Thanksgiving:

Pumpkin Soup
Turkey, Dressing and Gravy
Tofurky, dressing and gravy for the Vegetarians
Apple Gravy
Apple Slaw
Carrots with Shallots, Sage and Thyme
Mashed Potatoes
Cauliflower and Brussels Sprout Gratin
Corn
Corn Timbale
Wild Rice with Orange Herb Dressing
Mushrooms Burgundy
Green Beans with Rosemary
Scalloped Apples
Cranberry Sauce
Corn Muffins with Cranberries and Pecans
Buttered Rosemary Rolls with Sea Salt
Cranberry Mousse
Pumpkin Pie from Scratch (from a Sugar Pumpkin)
Pecan Pie
Apple Pie
Chocolate Pie
Chocolate Pretzel Peanut Butter Bars
Ice Cream

I think that's everything.

We start out the day with Home Made Spicy Bloody Mary's and a breakfast of Omelettes and other breakfast side dishes.
We watch Christmas movies and play games and sometime during the day some of us take a nap.

We invite friends that don't have a place to go for Thanksgiving and every year that varies.
It's a day of family and friends giving thanks for all that we have been blessed with in our lives.

Anne and I wish all of our friends a very Happy Thanksgiving and a very Merry Christmas.
Happy Holidays to all of our friends around the world that do not Celebrate Christmas.
Enjoy this time of year with your family and friends.
This is the time of year when we should all be wishing for Peace in the World!
Eventually, it will come!

And don't forget:

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!