{Thanksgiving Spirit}

I've had to do some work to get in the spirit of the holidays this year. I hate to admit it and

wish I was a ball of holiday energy, plans and traditions. I love the holidays. I do. I just

haven't been feeling it between being sick this whole past week and being in a general funk

lately. I even suggested we could go out to eat for Thanksgiving. David looked at me like he

was a five year old boy, and I just popped his big, bright red balloon.Then, I suggested we

go meatless. This, he considered, before ultimately deciding he wanted to make a turkey.

Just the fact that he thought about it made this vegetarian appreciate him a little more. :)

DVRing A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving last Thursday was my message to myself that it's

time to make Thanksgiving Day what it should be -- a day of gratitude, appreciating the

people in your life, having fun in the kitchen, preparing food with love, and relaxing.

Last night, we sat down and made some plans for the day. We finalized our Thanksgiving Day menu, and I think it's helping me get in the mood. Here's the plan:

Turkey prepped with the Pioneer Woman's favorite brine

Nut loaf

Mushroom gravy

Mashed sweet potatoes

Fresh green beans

My homemade stuffing which is similar to this recipe

Cranberries like the ones at All Home Cooking, All Year Long

Hazelnut Pumpkin Pie by Food Network's Sunny Anderson

This will be my first time ever to make both pumpkin pie and nut loaf. I'm excited to try

some new things! I don't generally make dessert for Thanksgiving because it's usually the

two of us, and we already have so much food. Plus, David has will power and I don't which means the leftover pie and I spend too much time together later in the week. But this year,

I decided, screw it -- I want pie. As for the nut loaf, last year was my second Thanksgiving

without turkey, and I've come to learn I'm not satisfied with "sides" for a holiday meal.

The nut loaf should round things out for me and make a fun new addition to our menu.

And finally, we decided to go a little more healthful by doing fresh green beans (instead

of traditional green bean casserole made entirely from a can) and with sweet potatoes

instead of regular ones.

I've been watching a lot of Food Network, and they've had so many amazing ideas for

Thanksgiving Day food that's a little different from the basics. I saved a few of the recipes

and put them in a folder for next year. We'll see how the pie and nut loaf turn out and

adjust accordingly. :)

Update: I just signed up to work a food donation drive tomorrow morning. St. Mary's

Food Bank and Channel 3 will be at the Fry's Marketplace on Chandler Blvd. in Ahwatukee

all day tomorrow. Come on out and drop off some donations if you get a chance!

How are you feeling about the holiday? What are you looking forward to?