Four years ago I cooked my very first Thanksgiving meal for the family.  It was for about 30 people.  My aunt yelled out "I vote for you to cook Thanksgiving for the next 30 years!"  To some people this compliment would scare them away and never to cook again.  To me, it was a huge compliment. It's a lot of work, but #1 not only do I get the dishes I want for Thanksgiving, but #2 I am cooking for the people I love.  I am so Thankful for my family that simply cooking a Thanksgiving meal is the least I can do for everything they do for me throughout the year.

Our typical menu is as follows:

2 Turkeys (one with beer & onions; one Italian style - all covered with bacon!!!)
Gravy
Stuffing
Candied Yams
Mashed Potatoes
Dinner Rolls
Cranberry Sauce
Corn
Desserts Vary each year depending on what my relatives bring

This year I am changing up the menu!  My mom helped with the cost of this one.  I have not revealed to my relatives yet what the new menu will be.  So if they are reading this - SURPRISE!

13lb Turkey (Guinness Beer, Butter, Onions, Garlic, salt & pepper...covered with bacon!)
*** 14lb of Prime Rib ***

Gravy
Stuffing
Candied Yams
Mashed Potatoes
Dinner Rolls
Cranberry Sauce
Corn
Holiday Salad (Spinach, lettuce mix, Toasted almonds, mandarin oranges, craisins, and homemade poppy seed dressing [dressing recipe from Aunt Ruthie!]).
Homemade Caramel Pecan Pie


This year, the Thanksgiving Luncheon will be held at our home.  All the previous years, I would cook the whole meal and transport it to the designated home.  Last year I brought everything to my Grandmother's home.  During her Chemotherapy in late Spring/early summer of 2008, she longed for my Thanksgiving cooking.  I am thankful that she was able to enjoy my cooking last year.  As you can see Thanksgiving is such a special time for me to cook for all the people I love and cherish.

I hope to take photos of all the dishes this week and post them.