After a series of unlikely events and somewhat by default, I’m hosting Thanksgiving tomorrow for my grandmas, my sister and her family, Jenny and her family, Jenny’s brother and his family, and Jenny’s mom and dad. Add Kate, Sam and Andy and that’s 21 people.
I know what you’re thinking.
But I promise this does not involve spaghetti in a crock pot.
It does, however, involve spreadsheets. Lots of them.
I have a spreadsheet for the seating chart, one for the ingredients for each dish, one for my grocery list, and one that has pretty much everything else.
I’ve also got a to-do list for today and tomorrow, and a timeline for tomorrow broken up into five minute increments.
Issues, I haz ’em.
I have been researching the hell out of Thanksgiving for a month or so now… I’ve read the entire internet and quizzed UP and his wife about how to make stuffing, gravy and cranberry relish, but every time I see an alternate version of something I’m planning to make or a no-really-THIS-is-the-best-way-to-cook-a-turkey pin, I nearly veer off course.
Take, for example, Monday night when I read an article about how to spatchcock a turkey. It started to sound like a really good idea, so I turned to Jenny for advice.
So, needless to say, this is going to be interesting. I’m tweeting and instgramming the experience using #SpreadsheetThanksgiving, so if you need a laugh or reassurance that someone is screwing up a meal more than you are, I hope you’ll follow along.
Happy Thanksgiving!
You can’t go wrong with AB’s method, he’s the man. You can do this!! PS, best hashtag ever.
I CANNOT WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My Diane would be so proud. Other than the seating chart, spreadsheets and lists abound. She has a freezer list, pantry, shopping, to do, when to cook, etc. I am beginning to believe the Germantown connection might be closer than we think.
Alton Brown’s turkey brine and cooking method is the shiz. You can’t go wrong.
Wish we could be there to witness the event! Hope your seating hart hasn’t been completely destroyed by the sickness at CLB’s.
I am expecting a complete recap on Monday, complete with pictures!