Informal Thanksgiving...we'll pull up a few more chairs!

Here's my humble Thanksgiving table set up last year. I didn't go all out on decorations because I wanted scrumptious food and I am busy mom of 3 youngins'! My cousin and her new husband decided to take me up on my invite for dinner so we pulled out the 'ole card table and I hosted dinner for 12. A kids' picnic table is off to the side.

I love hosting an informal Thanksgiving dinners. I used the place mats I had to make a "table runners". I bought some fall gourds, used a turkey decoration, put a Family sign out, and had the kids make the place cards. I don't stress it's the food and company I enjoy.

A few things I do to make my life easier with the food-

• I make the rolls the day before and keep in a Tupperware bowl with a lid. They are still soft. They are shown in the picture. I love that huge Tupperware bowl!
• I make my pies the night before- Pumpkin, Key lime (weird but I love it) & banana cream
  
• I make the fresh mashed potatoes in the morning and keep them warm in the crock pot (I add chives and sour cream to them as shown)
  
• I make the turkey in a roaster oven. I plug it in the laundry room and it cooks nicely on the counter top.
  
• I cook the yams in the oven and time it with when the turkey will be done being carved so both are warm.
• While the yams are cooking I make the package gravy.
  
• I have celery and pimento spread on hand for hungry tummy's and hungry cooks.
• We make our garden frozen corn in the microwave.
• Stuffing is Ms. Cubbison's brand because I don't care about stuffing personally. Yuck!
• I do a green bean casserole in another crock pot

Whew that's a lot of food. I am glad I am bring a side dish and a pie this year to the in-laws! :0)