Getting Ready for the Big Meal: Thanksgiving 2009

Last year was the year we sent out our ill-fated Thanksgiving Manifesto. The meal and the company were amazing, but it wasn't the giant family event that I associate with my favorite holiday of the year. Though I expect it will take a few years to reach maximum Thanksgiving capacity, this year we're getting close! Michael's mom and sister Melissa unfortunately can't come, but his dad will be here with bells on. I also managed to talk my brother and his girlfriend into coming which is especially exciting. David has not yet been to visit us in Chicago (yes, it's been about 3.5 years), and we'll be the first of the family to meet his girlfriend Stefanie. We're also going to be joined by my stepfather's granddaughters. They both go to college in the Chicagoland area, but their mom is now living in Spain, so we invited them to join us for the big meal.

Most thrilling (sorry to everyone else) is the fact that my Thanksgiving partner in crime Megen is coming back to join us. I haven't had a Thanksgiving with her since 2006, and that is truly a travesty. I MIGHT have given her a little bit of a guilt trip ("My childhood memories of giant Thanksgiving dinners are my best memories. It is so sad to think that you will deprive your niece and nephew of that experience.") Fact is, Thanksgiving isn't the same without Aunt Megen. Not for me. Not for the kids.

The picture above is from my beloved Thanksgiving folder. In there is every menu from every year's celebration since at least 2001 (I'll need to check). We list the attendees, the menu, and include notes about the meal ("everyone loved it" "this made too much!")

Starting this week, I'll be sharing some of my favorite recipes and talking about our preparations. What are you guys all doing for next week's holiday? (And for my Canadian friends - MARY - what did you do for Thanksgiving last month?)