Morning from my sister's house in chilly South Dakota! Linda is off to dialysis so I'm in charge.... Now there's a concept, huh? Got the oven preheating and the turkey is prepped and ready to go in in a bit. Innards are simmering on the stove and the gallon jug for the broth is waiting. After I get the turkey started I'll put together the stuffing - I'm the only person allowed to make Dad's stuffing - and get it refrigerated for tomorrow. We have a Thanksgiving routine at our house. When we came out here last year to spend the holiday with the fam for the first time in 18 years, I implemented it here. Main part of the cooking and cleanup is done the before. When the turkey is rested I skin it, carve it, layer it white meat first, a little broth, then the dark meat topped with the skin laid over all, cover and refrigerate.
Then tomorrow all we do is make mashed taters and put them in the crockpot on low, make the gravy with the saved pan drippings and the broth from the day before and put that in the other crock pot. Stuffing goes into the oven and so does the turkey. Since other side dishes are provided by the rest of the family, Linda and I are done with our part of the meal by 10:00 am, most stuff is cleaned up and put away, and we can get our showers, pretty up a little, and relax. Linda said last year was the most relaxed she'd ever hosted. Dialysis days can sometimes be a little tough on her, and she never knows how she's going to feel when she's done, so I'm glad to be able to take that stress from her. We're looking at 30+ people, plus we're fixing a holiday basket to take up to Ashley and family.
I love this! I love the cooking, the fussing, the family, the excitement, and the feeling of it all.