In case you're wondering, I am thinking about Thanksgiving and in fact started cooking today! I'm thankfully (ha) not hosting - my sister Stacey is - but we're making the meal together, for 12 people, so there's plenty to do. I'm following the turkey, stuffing, and gravy recipes I posted last year, as well as making a big batch of Deluxe Do-Ahead Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes, my aunt Mary's recipe for The Best mashed potatoes in the world. And, as the name would suggest, they're do-ahead, a big bonus on the big day, since draining and mashing huge pots of hot, steaming potatoes is bad for your fabulous holiday hair-do, not to mention your favorite silk blouse. Shiver!

So, the turkey is a'brining and the gravy stock is a'simmering...it's starting to smell a lot like Thanksgiving! The turkey will actually roast at Stacey's - I'm making her a fair trade tomorrow, my nephew Cooper for a brined turkey, ha (we're overdue for a dose of Cooper-Cuteness around here, so he's coming for a visit tomorrow morning). She'll actually roast the turkey at her house on Thursday, after it's air-dried in her fridge overnight Wednesday. She and Mom are making Cranberry Relish, Candied Yams (the classic), and one of my favorite dishes, my stepmom Susanna's Spinach Casserole. Full of artichoke hearts and mushrooms, and topped with sliced tomatoes and buttery bread crumbs, it's that winning combination of beautiful and delicious. And it's easy, and do-ahead, therefore a perfect addition to Thanksgiving dinner. (Recipes posted in comments, below.)

My aunt Marge is baking her amazing pies, my aunt Mary is bringing bread and wine, my cousin Kim is bringing an appetizer, and we're going to be very good to go. I. Can't. Wait! If I don't have a chance to check in before the big day, Happy Thanksgiving to all of you.