Giving Thanks ~ Tuesday

I saw this meme at Stray Thoughts this morning and thought it was perfect for today's Giving Thanks entry. I had been trying to figure out what I would do, so thanks for the inspiration, Barbara!

1. Which do you like better: cooking at your house, or going elsewhere?

I can do either/or. I love to fix a big meal at my home and invite friends over, but I also enjoy just fixing part of a meal and taking it to someone else's home. Celebrating twice each year, I can do both, you know! ;)

2. Do you buy a fresh or frozen bird?

Frozen.

3. What kind of stuffing?

Cornbread dressing, and we don't stuff the bird.

4. Sweet potato or pumpkin pie?

Pumpkin, although sweet potato is acceptable at any time other than Thanksgiving.

5. Do you believe that turkey leftovers are a curse, or the point of the whole thing?

I enjoy turkey on a roll that night and a turkey sandwich the next day, but after that, I'm done with the turkey. I don't like turkey casseroles that much.

6. Which side dish would provoke a riot if you left it off the menu?

Sweet potato casserole (we used to call it souffle, but . . . ummm . . . we're just not that sophisticated). My husband would go out and dig up the potatoes himself to make sure he got his sweet potatoes on Thanksgiving - and Christmas.

7. Do you save the carcass to make soup or stock?

I do, but I have to make it within the first couple of days or I forget the poor carcass in the freezer until the next Thanksgiving!

8. What do you wish you had that would make preparing Thanksgiving dinner easier?

A maid?! I don't know - maybe a double oven, so that everything can cook at the same time. But I'd only use both ovens a couple of times a year, so it wouldn't be practical to have two.

9. Do you get up at the crack of dawn to have dinner ready in the early afternoon, or do you eat at your normal dinner hour?

I put the turkey in the oven early in the morning so we can eat in the early afternoon - I like 2:00 for some reason. I try to get pies made the day before, and anything else that can be done ahead, like mixing up the dressing and sweet potatoes, so I'm not so rushed when it's time to get all those side dishes done.

10. If you go to somebody else’s house, what’s your favorite dish to bring?

Sweet potatoes, especially here in Canada, because not many people have had them the southern way, with pecans and brown sugar on top. And real iced tea, because the only iced tea most of my friends here drink is Nestea or Lipton from a bottle - blech!

11. What do you wish one of your guests would not bring to your house? What would you like them to bring?

Anyone can bring what they want, but I really do wish people wouldn't leave their desserts here. It's a huge temptation to me, because I love sweets, and I usually give in. I can withstand the temptation pretty good when they're in the house for just a few hours - but when they stay here and the party's over - I indulge! Not good for a diabetic!

12. Does your usual mix of guests result in drama, or is it a group you’re happy to see?

We've never had drama. Ever. I don't even remember it in my family as a child. I have been so blessed to have family and friends who all get along well together!

13. Is your cranberry sauce fresh or canned? Whole or jellied?

Ok. I loved jellied cranberry sauce, but have you looked at the sugar amount in one serving of that stuff? So I've begun making my own, with Splenda, since my family can take it or leave it. Not the same as the good ol' jellied in a can, but it is nice to have some that I can eat. I keep waiting for sugar-free in the can, but it hasn't shown up yet. Same for eggnog - nothing yet.

14. What’s your absolute favorite thing on the menu?

Turkey, followed closely by green beans casserole.

15. Share one family tradition.

We watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, but out here on the west coast, it's over pretty early, so we might only catch the very end of it. After dinner, we might play a game together, but we're more likely to read and/or watch a movie. I like to torment my family by waching It's a Wonderful Life! ;)

Thanks to Kelli for hosting this Giving Thanks celebration - run over and post your entries and see what others have done today!