Thanksgiving Cooking Countdown (and how I survived)

But really, I am the epitome of waiting until the last minute to do everything and I believe that's when I can do my best work because I'm also known to over-think things.. like a lot. But Thanksgiving is not really the time you can get away with that. Rewind a bit.. last year, the holidays were different and honestly, felt a little weird. I was in a delicate mental place that unfortunately, I had not yet recognized, so I did not fully enjoy events and gatherings the way I would have liked to. So this year, I'm doing ALL the things, including hosting our annual Friendsgiving that my best friend Jessica and I put together every year.

Now, I have NEVER made my own turkey, but this is my job this year, that's what the host does, right? AND my husband is out of town this particular weekend to see his brother in Savannah. I am either crazy, stupid or ambitious. I am going with the latter.

To keep myself organized, I put together a little cooking countdown. I started with 1 week out, because at this point if you haven't sent out invites or picked a date, well, better luck next year. These ideas are a mix of my own tips, what I have found browsing on the internet and tid bits from my dad so if something is different than what you do, let me know! Your tips may come in handy for me or someone else!

One week ahead

- Confirm your menu and shop for as much non-perishables as you can

- Clean out your fridge! You will need the extra space for things you are making ahead and that big ol' turkey that will need to defrost.

- Purchase your frozen turkey (1.5 lbs per person can be your gauge on how big of a turkey you need), and KEEP frozen (ONCE it is thawed, its only good for about another 24 hours before bacteria starts to creep in)

- Dig out your holiday dishes, decorations and cooking appliances to make sure nothing needs re-placing. You don't want to find you loaned your baking dish to your co-worker you don't speak to anymore the day before you need it, amiright?

3 days ahead

- Put your turkey in the fridge to defrost

- Start cleaning and de-cluttering your house. This has actually taken about a week for us because.. well, kids.

- Start your decorating and decide where your tables, chairs and food will go

2 days ahead

- Start organizing all of your dishes that you will need to cook and make a list of what cooks at what temps, how long, etc.

- On this day, go ahead and assemble and cook your casseroles (green bean casserole, sweet potato and corn pudding). Let cool, cover with plastic wrap and stick in the fridge until day of.

- Soups and cranberry sauce can also be made ahead (you know, if you're doing the cranberry out of the can, which by the way, I still love)

- Making a cake? Make your icing this day, it's good sitting out, covered in a cool spot for 3 days! My homemade buttercream icing is here.

- Your pies can be made on this day and also kept in the fridge.

- Buy all of your produce for items not cooked already and prep: separating, peeling, cutting and chopping can be done now so it's ready.

Day before

- Calculate your turkey cooking time (~20 min per pound + 1 hour if it is stuffed with stuffing)

- Go ahead and set your table. These last few days before our event, we've just sucked it up and ate in the living room on the floor, so this step could just be done.

- Any other baking, cookies and cakes, do today

- Get your cooking order set for tomorrow. Keep in mind, you will want the turkey to "rest" after baking for about an hour. Make sure you include this in your timing.

- Night: if turkey is thawed, you can put in a salt water brine over night so its ready in the AM (you want to brine 8-18 hours)

TURKEY DAY!!!

- AM: prepare stuffing if using IN the bird, stuff your turkey and start turkey baking!

- Now, if you have been prepping like you planned to.. this is your time to relax for a bit. If not, well, here's your time to catch up :)

- About an hour, before turkey is done, start your stovetop cooking.

-When turkey is done baking, take out and cover with aluminum foil and let it rest. While this is happening, you can be warming up your pre-cooked casseroles and bake your bread and rolls.

Now, if you made it this far, go Gobble 'til you Wobble girlfriend!! Happy Thanksgiving!!

Follow us over on IG @sunshinesinbloom or on Facebook "Sunshines in Bloom" -- we will be cooking and decorating all weekend! We'd love for you to be a part of our perfectly imperfect chaos of a Friendsgiving Weekend!