Anticipating Thanksgiving

Before I go into the planned post, I just have to say…we got snow last night!

first snow of the season

The reason I’m excited about this is because 1. It’s really pretty and 2. I know it isn’t going to stick around. I’m not really ready for permanent snow yet. It was kind of fun seeing that first thing this morning.

Anyway, I know Thanksgiving is still a few weeks away but if you’re anything like me, I go NUTS over Thanksgiving. We do the same thing almost every year. In the morning we participate in a 5K run/walk with a bunch of friends which is a blast, then we shower up and head over to either mine or Dana’s parents for a big Thanksgiving feast. Last year we actuallyΒ hosted at our houseΒ and it went really well (minus the fact it took wayyyyyy too long to cook the turkey due to a fritzy oven), but I’m leaving it to the parents this year. πŸ™‚

thanksgiving 2012

I love the intimacy of Thanksgiving; being with family, not stressing about presents, but just being together and enjoying each other’s company. It’s the best.

And don’t get me started on the food. Okay, get me started. I really want to talk about the food. Ever since I was little this has been on my top five of favorite meals. I only wish I could grow a second stomach just temporarily for the day so I could enjoy more of my favorite meal on the actual holiday. I know there’s always leftovers, but they aren’t the same.

My mom and I always discuss our Thanksgiving menu when the time rolls around and we joke about how I never want to deviate away from our standard spread. It’s just so darn good—why change a good thing?!

1. The turkey: my favorite part is the turkey breast.

thanksgiving turkey

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2. Mashed potatoes with gravy with some extra gravy over the turkey.

thanksgiving mashed potatoes

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3. Green bean casserole

thanksgiving green bean

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4. Stuffing

thanksgiving stuffing

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5. Whipped sweet potatoes

thanksgiving sweet potatoes

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6. Cranberries

thanksgiving cranberries

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7. Relish tray: pickles and olives (they are a must in our household!)

Thanksgiving olives

8. Some type of warm roll—I usually skip on this to save more room in my belly for other foods but the rolls are really good for leftover turkey sandwiches.

thanksgiving rolls

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9. Pie, usually pumpkin

thanksgiving pumpkin pie

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Don’t these lil babies look good?!

thanksgiving pumpkin

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For years, I would end Thanksgiving with a trip to my cousin Betsy’s house where we would get cozy in our sweats, eat leftover turkey sandwiches and watch White Christmas. It was always something I looked forward to to end out the wonderful loved one-filled day. This tradition still continues but I can’t always make it over there! I’m always there in spirit. πŸ˜‰

The day after Thanksgiving Dana and I always go pick out our Christmas tree. I can’t believe in three weeks we will be putting a Christmas tree up in our house! Eeeeeee! I love this time of year.

My mouth is officially watering for some Thanksgiving food. Let the countdown begin to one of my favorite holidays!

Do you love Thanksgiving? Why?

What are your favorite Thanksgiving foods?

Do you have any Thanksgiving traditions?

This Post Has 24 Comments

  1. Mmmm…you’re making me hungry for Thanksgiving now! πŸ˜‰ Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday though! I love that it’s all about family and food. I do the local turkey trot the morning of and then we go to my parents’ house for dinner. I can’t wait!
    Holly @ EatGreatBEGreat recently posted…WIAW #21 – Election Day EatsMy Profile

  2. Heather Murphy

    I wouldn’t want to try anything different with that spread either! I am a big traditionalist when it comes to holidays.. Please do not try to serve me fish or fat- free anything, and I don’t care how old I am, I still better get a stocking filled to the brim!
    Heather Murphy recently posted…The signs of overtaining and how to recover.My Profile

  3. Oh man I am so excited for mashed potatoes and gravy!! And the rolls! And we always have apple pie too- homemade by my dad! Love it. And I liked the snow this morning too but only because I know it will be melted by tomorrow!!
    Katie @ running4cupcakes recently posted…JamberryMy Profile

    1. Melanie

      I honestly think that is what I’m most excited about at this very moment…the mashed potatoes and gravy. Gaaaahhh! Num.

  4. anna

    This just makes me feel all warm and cozy! I think I’m going to have to adopt the tradition you have with your cousin because it sounds like a perfect way to round out Thanksgiving and get into Christmas mode. Although who am I kidding, I’m already itching for Christmas everything!
    anna recently posted…Food For LifeMy Profile

    1. Melanie

      Ha ha, so am I. I heard a Christmas song on the radio and I immediately felt warm and cozy!

  5. Oddly enough, Thanksgiving has never really been my favorite holiday. So weird! I really like the stuffing but other than that, I feel like I like Black Friday a heck of a lot better πŸ˜‰ Plus I like presents – giving and getting, so I much prefer Christmas, hehe! I’m sure your mama is going to make a delicious turkey though and I must agree, day old turkey sammies are the best!
    Becky @ Olives n Wine recently posted…#9 Treat Yourself Tuesday {TYT}My Profile

    1. Melanie

      Weird, you enjoy Black Friday?! πŸ˜‰ I can’t say Thanksgiving is my all-time-favorite holiday but it’s definitely up there. Christmas ranks at the very top of this list for me too though. The season of giving. πŸ™‚

  6. Green bean casseroles is definitely one of my faves!! And you can’t beat pumpkin pie! I am planning on trying to make a vegan pumpkin pie this year and I am super excited about it :).
    cleaneatingveggiegirl recently posted…WIAW: November 6, 2013My Profile

    1. Melanie

      Ooo can’t wait to read about it!

    1. Melanie

      Yes! The next day the Christmas music is on, and Christmas is in full swing. LOVE IT!

    1. Melanie

      It was pretty beautiful! πŸ™‚

  7. My fiances mom sent me almost the exact picture of her deck this morning too! She lives in Lake Elmo, MN just outside of the cities..crazy. I am PUMPED for Thanksgiving– stuffing and green bean casserole are my favs!
    Katie @ Daily Cup of Kate recently posted…Stressed is Desserts Spelled BackwardsMy Profile

    1. Melanie

      I always ask myself why I only eat Thanksgiving meal once a year? That’s just not right.

  8. Alex

    OMG I LOVE Thanksgiving!!! I have already started planning!
    Scott and I switch off between my family and his family each year. When we do my family my grandma always hosts. When we do his family I usually talk his mom into cohosting with me. This year I’m cohosting with his mom. I just love cooking πŸ™‚
    Alex recently posted…Weekend Update 11/3/13My Profile

    1. Melanie

      Ohhh fun! Let the countdown begin!

  9. I <3 thanksgiving! My favorite part is my grandmother's stuffing and stuffed mushrooms. I could eat them cold the next day for breakfast (hello black friday shopping fuel!). Those pumpkin pie cupcakes look yum!

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