It's Turkey Lurkey time...

If you've never heard the song referenced in this post's title, please FEAST YOUR EYES.  Because, it is one of my all time favorites.

So, last year around this time I had this wild idea that I'd really like to host Thanksgiving at my house this year.  2013 Me was clearly a bit on the over-zealous side, but 2014 Me decided to just go with it.

As you've probably noticed, I have been a terrible, neglectful blog owner and meal planner. I've planned November, but mostly week by week.  (I will try to be back for December to finish out the year strong...maybe.)  However, I'm going to attempt to make all of that better by sharing the NMOTB menu for Thanksgiving 2014 (hopefully to be repeated in years to come.)  I'll include recipe links, but there are a few things here and there which are family recipes that I can't really share.  Not because I don't want to, but because I have practically studied how to make these things successfully. Unless you all want to swing by my house and watch me.  Bring wine.

Without further ado, I present to you The NMOTB Thanksgiving Extravaganza (AKA: How to Try Really, Really Hard Not to Give 15 People Salmonella Poisoning).

This is a picture of the veggie tray I actually made for Thanksgiving 2012. #nailedit

Appetizers Because nobody is hungrier than guests who can smell turkey but can't eat it yet.
- Veggie Tray with Ranch Dip and Hummus
- Cranberry & Rosemary Cheese Spread
- Assorted Cheeses and Olives
- Mixed Nuts

Dinner Because my middle name is "Casserole."
- Roasted Turkey with Stuffing {I'm not going to lie, I was going to kind of wing it on the turkey (pun totally intended) since I've seen my mother-in-law put hers together many times and it always comes out perfectly, but then I started getting really nervous that I'd screw it up.  So, I'm mostly going to follow the suggestions under the link.  And have my fingers crossed.  For the stuffing, I just follow the directions on the bag.}
- Mashed Red Potatoes and Gravy {Following the recipes for both which have been handed down for generations.  Trust me on the red potatoes...they make the BEST mashed potatoes you've ever had.}
- Corn Casserole
- Sweet Potato Casserole {Never been big on this myself...I put it on my plate every year (because, THANKSGIVING), but it isn't my fave.  My husband, on the other hand, lives for it, so I'm trying this recipe out.}
- Green Bean Casserole {Our family is the traditional sort that just likes the recipe on the back of the soup can.  What can I say?}
- Macaroni & Cheese {I grew up with two Southern-cooking grandmas, so this has to be on my menu.  However, I have a lovely guest bringing it for me, so I'll ask her for the recipe to share some other time!}
- Brussels Sprouts and Quinoa with Cranberries {Warning, this recipe comes from Thug Kitchen which is the best recipe website on the planet, but has language that is probably NSFW.}
- Roasted Broccoli {We were going to have steamed asparagus, but the roasted broccoli is SO much better, my husband convinced me to switch.}
- Cranberry Sauce {Another recipe out of Thug Kitchen.}
- Green Salad with Shallot Vinaigrette {I had this dressing at a dinner party the other day, and OHMYLORD.}
- Dinner Rolls {Did you see the list of food I just said I was preparing?  I bought frozen rolls. Deal.}

Dessert Because we'll all need something to tide us over before we start digging into the leftovers.
- Pumpkin Pie {Another recipe to be made by a guest. I can't bake.  It's no secret.}
- Apple Pie {My husband is making his recipe...he insists upon this every year.}
- Sea Salted Caramel Torte with Chocolate Ganache {Right, so remember when I said I can't bake?  So I decided to try baking by making an exceptionally complicated dessert with three different components.  This won't end well.  For example: I ground the almonds for the crust and then knocked the entire 1/4 cup over into the sink.  At least my apron is cute.}
- Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Oh, and drinks.  A lot of them.  I'm convinced that the trick to a successful Thanksgiving Dinner is to get your guests good and drunk so they'll all be too hungry to notice if your food didn't turn out so well.

In all seriousness, Thanksgiving is my absolute favorite holiday.  Yes, partially because it is a holiday completely centered around eating, but also because it's a holiday that almost always begins and ends with delightful time spent with loved ones celebrating the most important thing a person can possess - gratitude. I am unbelievably excited to start my own traditions this year by hosting this delightful meal.  Here's to many returns.

And thus it is, our story goes on...

"Don't look at it!  Don't you dare look!" I shout at my husband as he makes his way into the bathroom early that morning.
"I won't, but you're not.  So who cares?"
"Don't look, I mean it."

It was November 25, 2009.  This was only one of a few times I had sat waiting that three minutes for an answer.
This time was different.  This time I was pretty sure I knew.

The night before I had met a friend for drinks after a particularly stressful day at work.  I hadn't been feeling well for nearly a week, but I felt like I could use the opportunity to decompress after the day's events.  I had halfheartedly ordered a Bud Light and some typical bar fare.  I drank about half of the beer and not a single drop tasted good.  I don't think I even so much as touched the food.

Chalking it up to nerves from work, I called it an early night and headed to my car.  On the way home, I passed up a Walgreens.  (Not hard to do, there's one on every damn corner.)  And then, it hit me.

There was surely a reason why I suddenly couldn't stomach a Bud Light and potato skins.  And it had nothing to do with work.

I found what I was looking for in an aisle I have always thought was interestingly stocked.
Feminine products, condoms, and the item I was looking for - home pregnancy tests.
It's like, find out if you're pregnant or not and if you're not, stock up on tampons and condoms.  Here's hopin'.


And there we were.  Standing on the edge of that "Are we or aren't we?" cliff.
My husband finished up in the bathroom and went back to lay down.

"You're not going to look with me?"
"I told you, you're not.  No way."

I glanced at the package insert.  Two blue lines, you're pregnant.  One line, you're not.  Simple as that.
I flipped over the little stick and took a look.  And looked again.
It looked like a second blue line.  But, I really couldn't tell.  It was awfully faint.
Maybe my husband was right.  Maybe I wasn't.

I stole another glance at the instructions.  If a second blue line is present, no matter how faint, it is a positive result.

"Babe.  I think it's positive."
"What?  No it isn't."
"Stop.  Look.  We're pregnant."


And as it turned out.  We were.
Sure, I threw up that morning and didn't stop throwing up every morning for the next 20 weeks.
Sure, the mere thought of turkey at Thanksgiving dinner the next day, sent me running for the bathroom.
But, the question of "Are we or aren't we?" had been answered.
We were.

And that year (and every year since) we have had something to be truly thankful for.