TURKEY DAY PREP.
So Thanksgiving is like two seconds away. Eeek! As mentioned here, we’re hosting this year’s feast at our place. While I shouldn’t have too much anxiety about it seeing as hosting was my idea and all, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a tad worried our turkey might turn out like the Griswolds’.
Oh yes, this’ll be my very first whole turkey roasting experience. Since I’m brand-new to this jazz, I’ve spent the past several days collecting various supplies for this task and other general Thanksgiving hosting necessities.
1.) Roasting pan with rack. Kinda can’t roast a turkey without one. So imagine my excitement when I saw World Market was selling this one for a mere $4.99. I questioned the quality but the product reviews were good (better than the reviews for a pricier roasting pan I had my eye on). And at five bucks, if something should go horribly wrong with the pan post-roasting, I won’t feel too bad throwing it away. The sale ended Sunday, but it’s still only $7.99 now — really, can’t beat it.
2.) Gravy boat. For some reason, we neglected to add one of these to our wedding registry. Since the gravy boat is clearly a Thanksgiving Day staple, I went out and bought this cute one from Crate + Barrel (which came with the saucer) for about $13. Since it’s solid white, it’ll coordinate with any set of dishes.
3.) Turkey brine. We’ve made the fearless decision to brine our first turkey, or soak it in a combo or herbs + spices before roasting. Our grocery store carries this brand (The Spice Hunter) of brine and after reading the contents, we were sold: sea salt, brown sugar, cranberries, garlic, apples, orange peel, juniper berries, black peppercorns, thyme, rosemary, and sage. Simply combine the jar of herbs + spices with boiling water, cool it down, submerge the turkey, and let the flavors infuse for 12 to 24 hours before roasting. Here’s hoping it turns out delish (and not Griswold-ish). Hey, that rhymed.
4.) Seat cushions. Jamie and I continue to use the same little Mission-style dining table and chairs we purchased in 2007 while sharing our first apartment together. Nearly five years later, we’ve finally bought seat cushions for them. While I like the non-cushion look, I think we can all agree cushions are comfier — and when doing this amount of eating, we’re going to be in our seats for awhile. Enter these pretty reversible cushions from World Market priced at $12.99/each (with a $10 off coupon, I got four for about $40). I’ve got the large print side up now (since the red + brown coloring seems more Fall-ish) but the small orange + plum print on the opposite side is equally cute (for Spring and Summer?)
5.) Additional seating. Dining set = four chairs. Thanksgiving head count = five. So we picked up this nicer, wooden version of a folding chair from Bed, Bath and Beyond yesterday (only $33 after a 20% off coupon). It has built-in padding on the seat (so no cushion needed) and the walnut finish coordinates with our dining set. I know we’ll be able to find other uses for it around the house (ahem, my new desk chair?) and of course it’ll definitely come in handy again for any future dinner guests.
We snagged a few other odds + ends (fine mesh strainer, taper candle holders, etc.) and will be breaking out some not-yet-used wedding gifts (china, glasses, serveware, oh my!) Still on the agenda: finish getting the dining room in order. We’ve got new curtains to hang, a few small details to work on, and I’d like to have the table setting done well in advance. Maybe if I’m not overwhelmed with cooking and whatnot, I’ll try to post a few photos!
Happy Thanksgiving, all (and if you’re hosting and/or cooking this year, godspeed!)
[Photos c/o World Market, Crate + Barrel, The Spice Hunter, and Bed, Bath + Beyond.]
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I love your purchases, Katie! The seat cushions are so cute! I’ve looked on World Market before & always like their stuff, but have never purchased anything… so good to know you recommend :) Have a great day – off to the office I go :(
L @ summitstreetjoy.com
Haha I love this post… I just read it. I did our families Christmas dinner & did a turkey b/c I got one from work. Yea I was nervous too, I got some help from my sister which was awesome! But also did not have a gravy boat… go figure… so I had to get one too! I hope your dinner was magnificent!!!
Oh yeah, cooking a turkey is quite the task — it takes courage and bravery! :) Kudos for doing your family’s Christmas dinner — I raise my gravy boat to you! Haha. Very cool your sister could assist. I didn’t really know what I was doing — I got a lot of help from the internet — but thankfully it turned out great. Hope yours did, too!