Don't forget the crescent rolls. Those are one of the "gotta haves" for us each year. Yeah, there are many other types of rolls out there, but crescents are one of the all-time favorites.

Another favorite, very simple, but favorite is the sweet potatoes seasoned as you would normally, then topped with brown sugar, topped with marshmallows, topped with pecans -- toss them in the oven and bake until the marshmallows are toasty and yummy.

We're pretty traditional at Thanksgiving. Sometimes the simple standards are the best. Over the years, we've tried to do things a little different, spice things up, etc., but everyone prefers the same old same old.

I found an awesome pumpkin cake recipe w/cream cheese frosting. I just made it for the first time yesterday & it's the first cake I've made from scratch that doesn't fall apart. It's pretty easy to make too. Here's a link:


http://southernfood.about.com/od/pumpkins/r/bl30212s.htm?p=1

I personally don't care for it but alot of the people in my family love the green bean casserole made with mushroom soup.

We HAVE to have green bean casserole. Just 2 cans french cut green beans, a can of cream of mushroom soup, half cup or so of canned french fried onion. Mix it up, put into dish, bake until hot, cover with more of the onions and bake another 10 min or so. some people add soy sauce, I don't, just doesn't need anything else, in my opinion, anyway.

I love sweet potatoes covered with brown sugar and butter.

LOL!! You guys are the best, I am hungry already. Keep them coming. Im writing them down. Thanks!!

always have to have the green bean casorole, summer squash casorole, relish tray, develed eggs, cheese,cracker and meat tray, apple, pumkin, sweet potato,mincemeat,pecan,pies stuffed celery, i always make one of each pie with sugar substatute for the diabetics or people watching there weight. makes me tired just thinking about all the cooking i have to do.

I was telling my husband about this post and he said to tell you to keep it simple, and not try to get to fancy esp. if its a first time Thanksgiving for sis to prepare you don't want to overwhelm her and you don't want to stress yourself out and over due either.

Renee that is why my husband said too.. My daughter is making Thanksgiving in her home for the first time.. usually she is jsut too busy but this eyar she is taking a few days off..BUT she has some strange ideas about Non traditional thanksgiving foods.. My DH just wants his turkey dressing mashed potatoes gravy etc..
So far she has planned an aspraragus souffle and some kind of eggplant marinated and served cold....Also a cranberry orange compote with walnuts..SHe is mashing the potatoes with onions and cheese and then baking them in the oven..all of this stuff sounds a little exotic to me.. OK to try on another day.. but I know my husband son and her husband are going to be looking for their crescent rolls and canned cranberry sauce.
I hope the turkey is normal..lol
At least I dont have to do anything but the desserts..

Mikki, it sounds like the first time my sil cooked for Thanksgiving, it was, shall we say, interesting?! She a bag of fresh cranberries in the stuffing for the turkey..she thought the bright red color would be festive. Of course they came out looking like raisins, and the stuffing was ruined, plus the turkey was dry as a bone. But the mashed potatoes were good, I brought the green bean casserole, and the crescents were hot, and the gravy was great. So we had an "unforgettable dinner". It's just a meal, after all, so not to worry. You'll be together, and all will be fine!

Hey do you remember the Everybody loves Raymond episode where Debra was going to cook a turkey, I believe it was tofu turkey? I dont think i spelled that right.

Thank you all so much. Is there not anyone else who has a story or recipe they want to share?

We usually have like a meat and cheese tray, a relish type tray and a tray of assorted different fruit breads.

I make a very simple jello that is my 17 year old daughters favorite of all time.

Take 2 small packages of strawberry jello
(I use strawberry banana too)

2 cups boiling water

2 small carton plain yogurt
(you can use strawberry yogurt too, but it's sweeter)

*Dissolve jello in water completely.
*Wisk in yogurt
*Chill in mold
*unmold and surround with fresh strawberries and fill center with whipped cream (I usually leave the whipped cream off)

I always do a spinach dip in a sourdough round for an app.And deviled eggs with bay shrimp in the egg mix ..These are major family favorites!!!!!!!!!