Stuffing Anyone?

So . . . apparently Thanksgiving is going to be held at my house this year. Who knew?

Actually, I offered to host it awhile ago, but it didn't seem like it was going to happen . . . and now suddenly it is. Which is fine, it's not like Thanksgiving is tomorrow or anything. And actually my brother can't make it down until the Saturday after Thanksgiving, so we'll be holding the holiday then. I have never cooked a turkey. But it turns out that we don't usually have turkey for Thanksgiving. Apparently, all these years, we've had either a roasting chicken (for the big family events) or individual capons or guinea hens or something (for the smaller get-togethers). So that's easy then. I was getting all ready to make the menu and do the shopping, but talking to my mom on the phone tonight I have discovered that most of the ingredients have already been purchased or canned by her earlier in the year. Olives (both green and black)? Bought. Potatoes? Bought. Green beans for cassarole? Canned. Pickled cauliflower? Canned (and yummy). Apple pie? Well, I guess I'd better learn how to make pie. Roasting chicken? Hmm . . . I guess I do have to buy that. Artichoke dip that is to die for? Got everything for that already. *grin*

So, hosting Thanksgiving for me, my mom, my brother and his wife, and my partner. Can anyone say stress?