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I’m making my lists and checking them twice. Chopping onions and celery, baking Grandmother Bread and cornbread.
The dressing is coming, the dressing is coming!
The turkey is thawing in the refrigerator.
Pie dough is chilling. Pies are coming, pies are coming!
Small pumpkins are being carved out for candle holders for the table. Homemade whole berry cranberry sauce is chilling. Thanksgiving is coming, Thanksgiving is coming!
It’s time for cleaning and cooking, decorating and primping.
We will be having turkey, cornbread dressing, cranberry sauce, gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans (home-canned), scalloped corn (fresh-frozen from the farmers market), cornmeal yeast rolls, and pies and cookies, oh my!
Here are some of my Thanksgiving recipes that you can find here on the blog:
Old-Fashioned Cornbread Dressing.
I haven’t absolutely decided yet which cookies and pies I’m baking.
All my cookie recipes are here.
All my pie recipes are here. Don’t forget the best pie crust in the world.
I cooked a big pork butt this week to make dinners easy while I’m focused on the feast. Rolls for sandwiches one night. Fajitas with homemade tortillas another night. Pizza the next. It leaves me free to play with Thanksgiving.
I like to get as much of the prep work done early as I can. I will fix the cornbread dressing today and put it in the fridge (unbaked). Wednesday I’ll even fix the mashed potatoes in advance and put them in a crock pot to be heated up on Thursday. I’ll bake pies and cookies today and tomorrow. I want the actual day to be relaxed and fun!
I love fun.
And now I am going to break my own rule and actually acknowledge something said about me on another site. Which I never do. However, I thought this was so hilarious, and appropo to this post, I couldn’t resist sharing it with you.
From the comments on another site: “Look out for chicken lady because she is only other candidate that is not painfully annoying, however, I have a sneaking suspicion that she has a full time staff like Martha Stewart.”
Staff?
Staff!
GET BACK HERE!
P.S. How is your Thanksgiving prep coming? Are your chickens helping you? BECAUSE IF THEY ARE, SEND THEM OVER HERE.
Posted by Suzanne McMinn on November 24, 2009
Big hugs to you…without power..youare a trooper!! Love the flashlight and the homemade face scrub is awesome!! - 
1:34
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I voted…
1:45
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2:19
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This is the first year I did this but I had to because the beloved ILs are going out of town and requested gravy, the relish, dressing and my yeast rolls to take with them. I don’t think the trust my SILs cooking.
So bonus – half our meal is done. Woohoo!
2:20
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3:39
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i’m always soooo impressed by the amount of stuff you get through, i know how easy it is to get distracted on a farm.
if you’re anything like me , on the way to let the chickens out you see a fallen branch that would make good kindling so have to collect it, then there is the wood pile to sort which is next to house and oh my, some tiles have blown down,and oh yes, those chickens are still waiting…………
4:23
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5:20
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Rally, people, rally!! I voted this morning, and we’ve dropped to 3rd by a big chunk!! There is a topic over in the forum where we’re discussing the vote, if you’d like to come join us!!!
5:29
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6:11
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I voted
6:13
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Hugs Granny Trace’
6:17
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Cece
6:22
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3rd??? Well – that’s just wrong! Vote!
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I hope everyone remembers what they are most thankful for and honors the spirit of the holiday.
6:44
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One of the things that dawned on me while looking over some of the competitor’s blogs is that you have such useful content! We learn things and have new recipes to try on top of having good clean fun from your sense of humor that underlies your less serious blogs. However, the city people probably don’t get the whole self-sufficiency thing like we do. It is just such a different life when it is work, home, entertainment. I can take a week at a time of it when I visit family in a beautiful downtown Chicago condo but then I am longing to get back to my country home and some meaningful work!
Off to vote on the laptop and wishing you all the best, Suzanne!
Cindy in Indiana
6:44
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As for Thanksgiving prep, since we are going to my moms I’m just making some sides, a pie and deviled eggs. I had totally forgotten about cranberry sauce though. I’m going to add that to my list.
6:46
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7:07
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We will all keep voting. We know you should be the clear winner of this job.
I know for sure your followers will read the blog on SamE daily. I wonder if the other contestants can ensure that?
Have a nice day and thanks for the laughs this morning.
7:09
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(Thank you for wanting to!)
7:10
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7:18
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That Chicken Lady comment cracked me up. Am I sensing a bit of nervous competition worry?! GOOD! They should be worried. Because you ARE gonna win.
Dec. 8 headlines, “The Chicken Lady Reigns!”
“Oh, hail, Chicken Lady” *snicker*
Good luck, Suzanne!!!
7:20
am
Suzanne–your menu looks delicious,
Do you have room at the table for 300 or 400 of your avid readers?
We can all bring a dish!
The best part about Thanksgiving is all the yummy leftovers.
It is my favorite holiday –I am thankful we have you in our life.
Jo
7:25
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7:32
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Life is complex….but lovely. And I’m thankful for the birds, money to pay bills, the jobs that provide that money, clothes that need to be washed and a loving husband who calls me!
7:37
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7:41
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Today I’ll be cleaning,baking, washing all that dusty stemware,putting another leaf in the table, assembling linens and serving pieces…making the cranberry relish (with orange and ginger) the applesauce (with jalapeno!)…more bread is rising for stuffing since we ate most of the first batch. I’ll prep some veggies,make pie dough,etc.
I’ll go out and CUT BROCCOLI…IN MICHIGAN…this fall has been so spooky mild that I still have baby buds out there, also New Zealand spinach, the tips are still tender. That stuff never quits.
First I have to tear myself away from CITR…at 8 am I’m OUTTA
HERE…(I really mean it this time, really I do).
7:47
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7:48
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I am amazed as always at what all you get done. Multi tasking at your best!
I have got to make that scalloped corn dish, it looks amazing!!!
Now, I’m off to vote!
Deb
7:50
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I laughed out loud at the “staff” bit.
Have to go start my cornbread dressing…
7:56
am
Mr. Bad Squirrel is in charge of gathering nuts. Mr. Cardinal will prepare the seed, and Mr. Woodpecker is responsible for the suet.
This year, it’ll be just Rod, the Deer Family (who must eat outside since they’re not housebroken) and me.
All my veggies are prepared since they’re summer goodness from my tiny garden or the farmer’s market.
We’re having game hens, stuffing, gravy, corn, Brussel sprouts, sweet taters, mashed taters and something else that’s slipped my mind.
Oh. Pie. Apple pie.
Voted (11963 votes), and was shocked to see that two other people have higher numbers. I’ll Tweet more often.
8:06
am
I will forever refer to chickens as Fluffy Butts now. Makes so much more sense than just ‘chickens’.
8:09
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And you haven’t fired any of your “staff”-or do I mean fried any of your “staff” so you are way ahead of Martha!
8:10
am
My staff has volunteered to help with Thanksgiving – only because it is such a notoriously fowl holiday and they are bovines.
BTW, I have posted twice to the top-20 SAM-e list and nothing comes up. In fact, the messages haven’t changed for hours…???
8:11
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Have a great day Suzanne….
8:11
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Turkey, bread & sausage stuffing, gravy, potatoes, green beans, cranberry sauce (jelly ONLY!), black AND green olives, homemade pumpkin pie (from REAL pumpkins), Hershey Bar Pie and Chocolate Pecan Pie.
Now if I can just get SON to finish washing the dishes so I can get into my 3′x4′ kitchen
, I’ll be THRILLED. 
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Hello- everyone–I have left 2 post on the Sam-e web page, and neither is showing-what am I doing wrong?
Jo
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8:35
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Same here ICG
I thought I was doing something wrong
Jo
8:36
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8:38
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I knew this round would be tough because you did so great in the last one! They were expecting you this time! I’m voting, posting, emailing, facebooking and begging! You SO deserve this job!
8:41
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have many skills and talents, a great sense of humor and a genuine
love of life that you share on your daily blog that entertains, encourages, and inspires us! And you do have the best staff…where would we be without Clover, Coco, Annabelle, the chickens and ducks, sheep, donkeys, fainting goats, pigs, etc. Much, much better than Martha Stewart!!!!
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Kathleen
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I think it is probably to be expected that the Chickens Union would be supporting the Turkey Federation and boycotting the holiday prep. Great menu!! Somehow Thanksgiving snuck up on me this year since we are not having company.
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Beth aka oneoldgoat
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10:02
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Happy Celebrations & Blogging!!!!
Ash….
(http://asha-oceanichope.blogspot.com/)
10:04
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10:07
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I am using your pie crust recipe for my Thanksgiving apple pies. I forgot to tell you that I won second place with the same combination (YOUR pie crust and my apple pie recipe) at a 4th of July contest this past summer. I got a trophy and everything! Thanks for all that you share. Happy Thanksgiving!
10:12
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Beth aka oneoldgoat (who is experiencing a series of senior moments today!)
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10:25
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Although I didn’t find anything interesting enough to take me back to the other sites, I did notice that those who had commented while I was there and who seemed concerned about the number of votes you were getting didn’t speak negatively about you or your blog, but instead seemed to have respect for you/your writing/your work/your talents/etc. I have a feeling that even if you don’t end the contest with the largest number of votes, you will have gained a large number of regular readers through the other contestants who are now voting for them but who will continue to come to your blog because they have learned that, not only is your website attractive, but you and your writing are so addictive, so heart warming, so funny, so informative, soooooooooo (I wish I had the words to fully describe it). You just make our hearts jump with joy!
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10:26
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HAPPY THANKSGIVING AND HAVE FUN!!
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10:43
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Suzanne’s blog is universal! It’s so awesome to me that we can all (city and country dwellers) meet here and find common ground and a sense of community. And I love reading all the tips in the comments section. There’s just a warmth here that can’t be packaged or bought. So, hello to all of you who live in the country from a city girl (who was actually born in the country)! Thanks for sharing your personal stories.
10:47
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And I’m working. New job, can’t quite say “no” to the hours, yet. Bummer, Thanksgiving was always my favorite holiday. All of the food of Christmas with none of the gift-giving angst.
I will, I will, I will own a farm of my own some day with the kids gathered around the dining room table for Thanksgiving dinner. And I will be very, very thankful.
10:48
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10:51
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I have never stuffed the bird with this dressing, so I’m not sure what to tell you. Hopefully, though, someone reading here will have an answer!
10:54
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10:56
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Happy Thanksgiving, Suzanne! I am praying for you to win the contest because your honesty and life are so refreshing. Good luck.
11:35
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By the way, Suzanne, your post today certainly put me in a Thanksgiving mood!
11:39
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OK, off to vote.
11:42
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11:43
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I would imagine that the “keeper of the cookies” would be at or close to the top of the chart. Just let me know and I can take care of this on my next 15 minute break or my 30 minute lunch.
ENJOY! and have a great Thanksgiving holiday with your family….and take a well deserved nap in the afternoon….traditonal at our house!!
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Votes are just that…votes. But comments are from the audience SAM-E is trying to reach and they speak volumes about the feelings and confidence these people have for that contestant.
Now’s the time to be letting SAM-E know the reason behind all those votes you gave for Suzanne. DON’T FORGET TO LEAVE A COMMENT!!!!!!!
1:14
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2:36
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You have inspired me to actually get out my canner and can my cranberry sauce this year instead of tossing what we don’t eat at Thanksgiving!
Hopefully I will get that done today. Just wanted to let you know that I vote for you every day! I sure hope you win! 
Angela
2:47
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My staff (2 mini doxies) have really been a wonderful help to me during this busy week. If I drop something on the floor, they are right there to pick it up. If I need someone to taste test, they are right there on the job. Even keep my toes warm at night. Very loyal staff.
2:47
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2:53
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Did your votes get erased somehow?
2:54
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Thanks for all of the yummy recipes. My sisters and I can’t be together this year on Thanksgiving, so we are each making your recipes at our own homes. (So we are together, but not together together.)
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and thanks again for all that you do.
Lynette
2:59
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Votes: 20% Judges decisions: 80%
3:07
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3:25
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That Thanksgiving dinner looks scrumptious! We already had our Thanksgiving here in Canada I can have turkey with your cornbread dressing anyway, right? It doesn’t have to be a holiday. If the dressing freezes well we could have it all the time.
That remark about the full time staff is funny! My helpers look just like your’s, unfortunately :-)
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Love the recipes Suzanne thank you
4:27
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http://www.sam-e.com/talk/say-hello-to-the-top-20-candidates-for-the-good-mood-gig/
Let us know if you find it or not.
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Thank you Barbee–now we need to get about 999 more posts, that should about do it.
Jo
7:12
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I;ve got a dozen guineas you can borrow to help, cause they sure aren’t helping me any. Oh, and then there’s the dozen goats out there … !!!
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Like many of your followers, I’m at a loss about what else I can do to help boost the vote.
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xoxo
SC
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