2004 edition home page but the 2006 edition contains as the centerpiece, naturally, Turkey and Gravy Soda, flanked by Stuffing Soda, Peas Soda, Pumpkin Pie Soda, and, wait for it, Antacid Soda (pink, of course). Yum!

Remember that Pepto-Bismol ice cream?

Sigh. I get Thanksgiving from Flying J. Wherever I happen to be at the moment. I miss family feasts!

Brian, baby, if you're anywhere near Dayton, come on over! There's plenty and my family is...well...let's say they're very strange and funny. You'll get a kick either way (whether you think they are 'strange' or 'funny') and there is TONS of great food!

If ya wanna--PM me!

I want to deep fry a turkey this year. I told my parents that I would only come home if they bought a turkey fryer, but they said they would not even acknowledge my bribe. I may just buy one myself and bring it to their house.

No one in my family likes dark meat, so we usually just make turkey breasts. My dad does a great job of smoking them on the grill.

I don't really care about the turkey... my thing is the sides. I have to have a wide variety of sides which include:

Green Bean Casserole - made with cream of celery (not cream of mushroom) and those crunchy onions. I highly recommend making it with cream of celery instead - it has a really great flavor.

Stuffing - corn bread or regular. Nothing fancy and certainly no gizzards.

Mashed Potatos

Cranberry sauce out of the can, in the shape of the can. One year, my mom smashed it up to make it look more fancy - she was practically banned from the house.

Sweet potatoes - anyway is fine, just as long as there are lots of marshmellows and pecans!

Orange jello made with orange juice instead of water - yum!

Some sort of home made bread - maybe my cheese and onion biscuits.

Dessert - usually one fruit pie (apple, hopefully made by Mr. Saur - he makes the BEST apple pie) and something made with pumpkin. I just like the pumpkin part of the pie and liberal amounts of cool whip.

I've never been big on turkey and either is my wife. This year we will be staying on a ranch west of San Antonio. I think we will grill some lamb chops or cabritto if we can get some. When I used to do a lot of waterfowl hunting we would grill duck or goose. One year I grilled a sandhill crane, really was good.

The most repeated tradition we have is drink several bottles of Nouveau Beaujolais which has just been released.

I made a plea to my parents that we should forego the turkey/ham/meat this year in favor of a side extravaganza.

I was met with this response.

Dad: That is the stupidest idea ever.

Because I am so picky about sides, I have been put in charge of them. Yay!

Please suggest a side we can make for Jacquelita's mom's annual thingie. We are already set to make a sweet potato dessertish item. I'm looking for something advanced that works in a potluck situation.

My sister is in charge of Thanksgiving dinner this year. Whatever it is will have to be finished cooking before 1500 hrs and fit into a microwave safe container, as I'll be working.

My contribution will be the Rachel Ray Smoked Salmon dip from the back of the Ritz Crackers package. A small portion will remain at home, and the rest will accompany me to work for the 4-12 feast.

What about something involving Squash? I assume someone is already doing the Green Bean Casserole.

Sauteed cabbage is really nice - fry up two slices of bacon, remove from pan. Add chopped up cabbage, sautee untill browned. Crumble bacon on the top - very delicous.

Also, there is a really simple orange salad that I am making. You peel and slice oranges - make sure to remove the pith well. Slice up a red onion and sprinkle it over the top. Drizzle the oranges and onions with a little olive oil, raspberry or redwine vinegar, and salt and pepper. It is really light and refreshing and not to mention, very pretty. It goes well with most meat dishes.

Hope those help!

I was gonna suggest the one with almonds.

Scalloped Corn:

1 and 1/4 sticks melted butter
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup sour cream
1 can corn
1 can cream corn
1 box Jiffy corn muffin mix

Mix all wet ingredients thoroughly, then add corn muffin mix and pour into a 13x9 pan. Bake for 40-45 minutes at 350, until a fork inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Hey Bri, look the cornbread casserole has reappeared! Oh well from another post in food. But still great.

Hey, buster! You are correct, sir!

the corn casserole is an awesome dish, full of indulgence and velvety goodness. I hope to eat this the day I die!

Good call, buster!