Thanksgiving this year...the day before...

This year, we stayed home for Thanksgiving.  It was a wonderful choice for us, and we had a relaxing time.  My blog seemed like the right place to jot down what I did to prepare for the meal this year. That way I can come back here to do it all again next year and maybe improve. And just maybe, it would help someone else plan a more stress-free day.

The day before, I did my baking.  The oven would be way too busy the next day. I made pumpkin cake from a friend's recipe. It was crazy easy and the kids loved it! We even tried it with whipped cream on the top.
Pumpkin Cake Recipe from Stephanie
2c flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cloves
2 c sugar
1 c oil (I use safflower, your choice) I used smart balance omega-3 oil.
1 16 oz can pumpkin (or sweet potato) I used fresh pumpkin puree, which made it a bit wet. So I reduced the oil to 3/4 cup in my next effort and it was great! (Also placed in 2 muffin pans-delicious!)
Optional:  1/2 c raisins; 1/3 c chopped nuts

Preheat oven to  350 degrees F. Lightly grease 9x12x2 pan.  Mix sugar, oil, and pumpkin.  In separate bowl (or not), whisk together remaining dry ingredients and add to wet, mix well. Add raisins and nuts if desired. Bake 40-50 min, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

If I had wanted I could have baked some cookies in the same oven! (Next year, I may also bake some cookies.)

I also made macaroni & cheese, placed it into a casserole and refrigerated to be reheated the next day. (The stove would also be busy and mac & cheese reheats well, possibly better the next day!)
***The picture is of muffins made from the same recipe and roasted pumpkin seeds.

Macaroni & Cheese is pretty easy to make from scratch.  I make the pasta (elbow macaroni) first, drain, and set aside. I use the same pan to make a roux and add milk and cheese, until I get the consistency and color that I want. Toss the pasta back in, stir well then place into the casserole. Refrigerate, then clean up for cooking the next day.  (Actually, it was then that I made my little note cards to organize the next day.  I placed what needed to be done on the cards and put in order.) Then relax, get some good sleep. Thanksgiving morning can come pretty quickly...
~Tracy