How Southern Is Your Thanksgiving?

We have at least four types of homemade pie: sweet potato, pumpkin, pecan, and apple, for starters.

We’re partial to a simple banana pudding after Thanksgiving lunch.

We don’t do dessert.

A store-bought pumpkin pie

Everything. We’ve overturned the recipe box and whipped it all up.

Lasagna. We didn’t have time for a turkey this year.

It’s more store-bought than homemade, but we’ve got a tasty Thanksgiving
spread.

Turkey and dressing with all the fixings, of course

I use a recipe I found on SouthernLiving.com.

The bird was already cooked when I bought it from Publix.

Isn’t there a recipe on the turkey package?

The secret family recipe, which was passed down for generations. It originated with my great, great, great grandmother and don’t you dare ask for it.

Eh, I’m not sure. We may skip the festivities this Thanksgiving.

Just our closest family is invited on this holiday: mom, dad, sisters, and brothers.

A few friends around the table. I had to make a tofu dish for my vegan friend Colleen this year.

Second cousins, third cousins, great grandma, and every aunt and uncle we know. We’re not exactly sure who’s showing up, but we know the table will be full.

An hour, tops. I like to be economical with meal prep.

Days. We’re shopping, prepping, and cooking all week long. To be honest, this is like the Olympics of food.

I cook everything the night before so I’m ready for lunch at noon sharp.

A little cooking in the morning, a bit of pre-made, grocery store magic, and voila! There you have it: Thanksgiving in just a few hours.

An hour at the most

11 a.m. to 4 p.m., a reasonable, lengthy visit. That’s enough time for seconds and for the kids to run around outside and play in the crisp November weather.

Guests arrive at noon, and we have a few hours of eating and catching up.

All day, morning to night. There’s also always a nap at the height of the
afternoon. Everyone sprawls out on couches, visiting and enjoying each other’s company.

We brought out the old cornucopia and painted foam fruits from last year.

The turkey is centerpiece enough for this table. I don’t want to brag, but it’s impressive.

What centerpiece?

Whatever arts and crafts the kids get up to this morning will be corralled on the table at lunchtime.