Just walked out of our WF (next to TJ) - plenty of organic turkeys ? in both. TJ was a zoo. WF was somewhat deserted.
Just cleaned out the refrigerator. Headed to the cheapest store in town. It is a lot of work to unload onto the converter and pack and put in the car and unload and put away. If the saving were not so awesome I would be at my favorite expensive store. But a container of the same brand of sour cream, for example, will be over a dollar less for my efforts. If I get to the parking lot and it is too crowded I will go tomorrow. Dreading it.
I haven’t found the turkey parts for the stock to make the gravy. My neighborhood store doesn’t have any - 2 trips there. I loathe Safeway and FM, so I’m going to try the bigger local place next.
NH store did have the veggies and their house-made sausage, so at least that part is done.
2D will pick up the turkeys tomorrow and do the final shop for apples and whatever else we’ve forgotten.
H went across the Sound this morning for a couple of days, so using his absence to cook when/how I want w/o his thoughts on the matter
I bought a fresh 15 lb Turkey. I think it’s the smallest I have ever cooked, but it’s just 4 of us. I will attempt to halve my usual stuffing recipe (which stuffs a 24 lb bird with half left over for cooking later. Yes, I still stuff the bird…I know it’s risky)
Bought real carrots, parsnips and a sweet potato to roast. Will top with cilantro and lime juice. Sounds odd, tastes great.
S and DIL are bringing a couple of side dishes and a fancy bourbonflavored sugar crusted pumpkin pie but I will make another fruit based or nut tart. That’s just for me because I dont like custard pies or whiskey flavors.
We did the rest of our shopping today. Bought an 18lb-er. Only 4 of us, too. Store was crazy crowded but they had every checkout open, so not a very long wait.
All that is left is to get alcohol for Thanksgiving Sangria and ice cream for the pies. I’ll do that on Wednesday.
Is it really risky if you ascertain that the temperature is high enough? I’m guessing 165-175 degrees? The past several years, I have stuffed the turkey and used a thermometer to test the middle of the stuffing to make sure it was at least 165 degrees. No problems so far.
I had my Friendsgiving meal tonight. Turkey breast, gravy, sweet potatoes, fresh cranberry sauce, green beans and almonds, bread, but guess what I forget? The stuffing!
“Yes, I still stuff the bird…I know it’s risky”
I’ve eaten a bird that way all of my 50+ years. Nobody has ever gotten ill. Just don’t stuff it ahead of time and cook the turkey thoroughly.
@emilybee I like the idea of Thanksgiving Sangria. Sometimes I wish I hosted so I could incorporate some changes into the mix.
My shopping is done (very early Sunday, hardly anyone in the store). The house is clean. All the silver is polished. All the table linens are washed and ironed, and all the placecards and souvenir menus made. DH will pick up the fresh turkey from Sprouts after his alcohol run on Tuesday. We pick up our son on Wednesday. I’m already having a great holiday.
Cheers to every CC family! May we all enjoy amazing food and have a wonderful, loving time with our families. 
We have Beaujolais Nouveauv with the turkey for Thanksgiving, and it sort of reminds me of sangria. There will be other wines with other courses… A voicemail told me our wines are ready for pickup. I just started the rest of my grocery list. Easy to see our priorities. I did preorder a turkey.
I’m going to the grocery at 9 am tomorrow. My best guess is there will only be a very few oldsters, like me, shopping. Hope I’m right.
I’m making the corn casserole for a friendsgiving lunch tomorrow. I think I can see consolation rolling her eyes, but they requested it.
Will make a German apple souffle (sounds like a tart apple cake with the whites separately folded in) and a cranberry upside down cake (maybe with a caramel sauce) for Thurs dessert. The rest is easy.
Make some and bring it with you!
We will be having a lot of other things to drink besides the Sangria and I have a lovely ice wine for after dinner.
^excellent drinks menu
DH and DS1 both arrive from out of state Wednesday evening. Half our dining room chairs are tied up doing gatekeeper duty, forming a barricade in the corner of the dining room to protect a bunch of late MIL’s boxes from our curious dogs. Since it’s just the three of us and my mother – oh, and the dogs – I’m going to press everyone into service and not sweat what doesn’t get done.
Thanks to those of you who mentioned china. I have my mother’s, which I love, but also got a set from MIL’s house which we both like. DH and DS1 are fine with whatever, so mother and I will figure that out tomorrow.
“Make some and bring it with you!”
Not worth the risk of ruffling feathers. With the family members hosting, one does not deviate from their plan.
@HouseChatte Do the 2 china sets work together so you can mix and match? I always like that look. If not, you could always use one for dinner and one for dessert.
D1 went shopping at her local farmers market o Sat. She got a 15 pounder. We are having 9 people, hope it is going to be big enough. She said she is getting whatever is missing from Freshdirect.
I could not find any turkeys smaller than 14 lbs this year. I used to have no trouble finding an 11 lb turkey. Hope it fits in my roaster. I’m a brine person - cider brine for me and have never had a dry turkey since I started wet brining. I got all the silver tableware, candlesticks, bread dish etc. polished and while it can be tedious it always makes me feel warm and fuzzy since the silver was my grandmothers plus when I do this I do the kids baby cups which really makes me warm and fuzzy! The china I use for Thanksgiving is zipped into “keepers” so I never have to wipe or worry about that but it reminded me I need to re-wash the crystal because that always gets dusty in the cupboard snd reminded me I need to press the tablecloth. My mother keeps them rolled on old wrapping paper tubes, but I’ve never been that organized or had the space to do that. I am one who actually loves the traditions and while we will be small in number I look forward to it. I always wonder when I’m old and can’t do this anymore what kind of traditions the kids will have. I have pies to do before the big day, but that tradition can wait until Wednesday.
We’re using paper plates - the nice ones, but paper nonetheless. I don’t have other options. Martha Stewart would not approve, but I am glad that there won’t be so many dishes to do!
I saw this ad today and immediately thought of this thread: https://www.ispot.tv/ad/di7J/whole-foods-market-backup-thanksgiving. If for any reason it doesn’t work search Whole Foods Backup Thanksgiving. I love the part where the wife says, “We’ll phase it in.”