Thanksgiving Planner and Timeline

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I had such a nice and easy time this year preparing for Thanksgiving dinner. I took my time, made ahead a little each day. Scheduled time to relax with my family each day. One day we went out to a buffet, one day we went to the movies and enjoyed Thanksgiving themed crafts. Each night we all cuddled on the couch and it was just lovely. The timeline worked so nicely, I decided to blog about it for next year.

A week or two ahead:

Plan menu

Review all recipe and cross check with your pantry

Make shopping list

Purchase all necessary ingredients

Buy frozen turkey and place in refrigerator to thaw (takes a week)

Made Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes and placed them in the deep freezer

Monday:

Make Fresh Loaves of Bread

Make Fresh Pie crusts

Peel, Slice Bake/Boil Sweet Potatoes

Take Potatoes out of Deep Freezer an put in refrigerator

Tuesday:

Turn Fresh loaf of bread into Croutons

Make Carrot Souffle

Make Cranberry Sauce

Wednesday:

Make Pies (cheesecake, mousse pie, pumpkin)

Make cream soup

Make French Fried Onions (leave out on cookie sheet or they will get soft)

Chop Veggies for Stuffing

Make Brine for Turkey

Wednesday Night:

Place thawed turkey in brine overnight

Vacuum and Mop

Thanksgiving Day:

AM:

Make fresh loaves of bread for Breakfast/Dinner

Add onions to oven to re-crisp if necessary

Cook Onions and Celery for Stuffing & Make Stuffing (allow to cool)

Place Carrot Souffle in Crock Pot

Clean up and wash all dishes (put away)

Mid Morning:

Set Table

(If using linens that need ironing, do so a few days before)

11 am:

Make Sweet Tea

Prep and set out small snacks and finger sandwiches

2 PM:

Whip fresh cream for pies

Brew Coffee if serving

3PM:

Take Turkey out and Tent

Place sides in oven

Make Turkey Gravy