Hello, hello! And happy Friday.
Last night I was lucky enough to sample the new winter dining menu at Park City’s Deer Valley Resort. Every year it takes a village of chefs and staff to produce this event, and every year I wish I could take those chefs and all their kitchen knowledge, tricks, and efficiencies home with me, because for any food lover, next week is the holy grail of food holidays. And I could use some help.
This year I will be the hostess with the mostess, and making Thanksgiving dinner for about 15-20 of our family. This is the kind of thing where my stress levels rise and my patience runs short and I end up barking orders at my husband and becoming short-tempered with my daughter, all in the name of creating a meaningful dinner for everyone, except for the three of us because I end up getting all stressed out and set a negative tone before we even get close to getting dinner on the table.
Can I get a raised hand from anyone out there who’s victim of this too?
That’s why I’m finally wising up and acknowledging my weaknesses, letting go of perfection (of mine and others) and faking my way through Thanksgiving Day dinner with a big smile and a what-happens,-happens attitude. I want this dinner to be one I can enjoy as the host, as well as our guests, so they don’t feel the tension radiating from my insides, too.
This year, I’m doing it all different. This year I’m committing to working ahead.
That’s why this weekend I’m doing all my shopping, defrosting, brining, chopping, pre-baking, some cooking, and even setting up the tables and flower arranging ahead of time. Sure there will be stuff I have to do the day of, but can you imagine the glory of having most of it done ahead of time so there’s time to actually mix and mingle and enjoy that killer charcuterie platter?
That’s my goal. To make this year’s Thanksgiving a day where I will enjoy it with less stress and more family and more gratitude.
What are your Thanksgiving hosting duty tips? I’ll be sharing more of mine with my email list. Are you signed up? If not, get signed up here.
But enough about my fun in the turkey-lovin’ kitchen, let’s dig into this week’s Friday Faves.
Can you imagine trolling Costco and happening upon these two??!! The free samples…when they go low, we get high…SO FUNNY!
A few Instagram accounts I’m loving now:
- this account because she motivates me to want to work out more. (check out her highlights and youtube for her workouts!)
- this account for her airy, calming interiors.
- this young photographer’s account for fashion photos that aren’t the typical Instagram contrived images.
Plus, find more Instagram home inspo on this top 10 list of grammers to follow.
Tips to worry less and live more.
How to change your body weight set point.
Oh crap! Brace yourself folks, because Mercury is going into retrograde for the last time of 2018. GAH. No wonder I’m having issues.
and…
Stargazers, don’t miss this weekend’s falling stars.
I love this uplifting holiday gift series so much, you should sign up too.
This looks like so much fun to host: a homemade holiday gift party.
This is the Thanksgiving dinner timeline I’m consulting for my make ahead dinner adventures.
How to decide how much turkey to make per person.
I always make this so I know I have enough for leftovers.
A cocktail that won’t put you under the table (or fall asleep at it.)
DIY pumpkin pie spice—because it’s likely you already have it all in your pantry.
If I can get up the gumption, I’m totally going to make these because nothing smells better when they’re baking.
If you show up at my house for turkey, there’s a good chance you’ll get these for dessert too:
- This twist on pumpkin pie is at the top of my list.
- And this is one is too: my husband’s fave pie minus the corn syrup. YES!
- I’m seriously considering serving this too, instead of pie.
Vegan pumpkin alfredo. Okay, I’ll definitely bite.
Cheese. Sausage. Gnocchi. Sold.
This gratitude playlist should be played on Thanksgiving loud and proud.
I am always intrigued with the As Seen On TV products I see in the grocery store. I picked this up the other day, and I have to say, it totally worked! So much so that I bought a back up for when my two pack wears out.
On the other hand, my husband is an As Seen On Instagram purchaser, and is proof that IG ads work because he bought this thing to cozy up in while he watches TV, and I totally made fun of him for getting it, and now I’ve totally taken it over. We’re getting one for each of us in the family for Christmas. But their marketing is way off base, because I don’t know any guy who would actually wear it out as fashion :)
I picked this up in Target the other day and I’ve gotten so many compliments on it! It looks far more expensive than it was. Thumbs up.
I’m liking this updated Charlie-Brownish slouchy top. Hello, rainbow.
My daughter is obsessed with these blankets. Looks pretty cozy to me!
Okay, I think that’s a wrap. I have preppin’ to do , hope you have a happy turkey day too.
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Sophie Anderson
I am preparing for incoming Thanksgiving on this Thursday and found some interesting things in your post. Thanks!
Besides, happy Thanksgiving to you and all your loved ones!
Ashley @ Foodie Crush
Thanks Sophie! Happy Thanksgiving to you too <3
Ashley @ Foodie Crush
Hey Sophie, I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Enjoy!
El
Heidi – For 20 yrs, I’ve hosted a Thanksgiving dinner at my mother’s home that has ranged from 8 or 10 people, up to 22 people. Frequently, we’ve had 4- 6 guests for the entire weekend. And almost everyone is coming from somewhere else, including me! So, similar to “How Sweet Eats”, I spend the preceding month writing up lists. Lists of tasks for those living-in for the wkend, (such as table setting, dishwashing, house cleaning, prepping / helping with various meals, etc). Lists of the groceries needed for the wkend, (including what, where, when and who is to do which bits of shopping). Menus for the entire wkend, how many will be at each meal and who is tasked with which duties for each meal. Where a guest has offered to bring something for Thanksgiving dinner (or another meal), that’s noted on the menu plan(s). A list of specific timelines for The Day, starting with when dinner is served and working back from there. Including time for my leisurely shower and glass of wine, halfway through the turkey roasting timeline!
All of these lists are printed and posted in the kitchen, with separate lists for each person who is doing grocery shopping.
We also break out our big cooler chests, pack them with ice, put them on the enclosed dining porch and use them for chilling wines and for food items that are less temperature sensitive and can cope with some temp variations without spoiling.
On the day, I make sure everyone knows what they’re to do, when they’re to be back and thus am usually able to get rid of pretty much everyone, so that I have some quiet time to review everything, make sure that nothing has been missed, the table is set, the serving area is set up (we use Salton hot trays on the sideboard to keep the food warm), the table for hors d’oeuvres is set up in the living room with small plates, napkins and serving dishes are ready to be taken out.
In my experience, if you’ve got 6 or more people, you REALLY REALLY need to be well-organized, so pre-planning, writing up requirements, grocery lists, task lists, etc are critical if you want to get through the whole thing without losing your marbles!
Wishing you a happy (and un-stressed!) Thanksgiving!! Cheers, El
K
How much is the blanket ~ US Dollars?