Cooking for Thanksgiving

Wow, how is it that Thanksgiving is tomorrow? I'm looking forward to the meal that my sis-in-law Aimee and I will be preparing. Today the girls have the day off so I hope to get them involved in the kitchen with me as we prep what we can ahead of time.

L has always loved cooking with me, but it seems like she loves it even more these days. In fact, yesterday I was going to let her watch a little PBS Kids before naptime, but the tv was on ABC when I turned it on. She didn't want me to change the channel. Was it cartoons? No, it was The Chew. My little 4-year old wanted to watch a cooking show. Today we had a repeat experience, but it was Rachel Ray this time. Maybe I should get her a cooking-themed gift for Christmas?

But, I digress...I originally wanted to just post about some of the things that I'll be making for our feast. Aimee and I will be cooking the turkey together, but we've divided up the other dishes. This is what I'm planning on making:

Dessert
Originally, I was going to make one dessert and Aimee was going to make one. Apparently, my hubby doesn't think that 2 desserts will be sufficient for 4 adults and 4 kids (under the age of 8). So, he talked me into making more. I'm not kidding, I think his family thinks that dessert is the most important part of Thanksgiving. So, I'll be making:

• Crumb Topped Apple Pie - I think that I might get the girls involved with this. I'll teach them how to make Gramma John's Pie Crust and let them help peel the apples with our apple peeler/corer/slicer. I'll freeze it today and then bake it in the morning. I think it tastes better when it's made that way.
• Pumpkin Cheesecake - I haven't made this in ages, so hopefully I'm not too rusty. And hopefully my unpredictable oven won't destroy it. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Instead of individual ones, I'll make one big one.

Side Dishes

• Green Bean Casserole - Usually, I make the traditional recipe from the back of the fried onion can, but use french cut green beans instead of the regular. This year, I'm trying for a fresher, but still easy, version. Jessica omitted the fried onions, but I'm going to add them. I was planning on frying some shallots for the top, but my hubby prefered that I put that time into making another pie.
• Mashed Potatoes - I love this recipe. I usually peel my potatoes, so you actually don't need to use quite as much butter and half-and-half as this recipe states. But man, are these good!
• Bread - I'm supposed to bring the bread. I'm hoping to try the recipe for Butterhorns that is in my sister's cookbook Not Your Mother's Make-Ahead and Freeze. I think I'll let the girls help me roll them up.

Whatever you end up eating tomorrow, I hope that you all have a wonderful day with your loved ones!