I don't have to do the turkey this year, nor the stuffing. We'll still go home with leftovers mind you, but I don't have to deal with the rest of it.

We have what is known as a Hobo Thanksgiving, in which we invite friends and family over who are basically alone for the holidays. For example, we have two friends whose husbands are either out to sea or in Afghanistan and they both have kids. They are coming. The person who hosts the dinner (this time it's my neighbor) makes the turkey and the stuffing, and everyone else brings the rest, generally a dish. Unless you are me.

I'm making Yum-Yums, Sausage-cheese dip, Green Bean Casserole, Homemade Rolls and Apple Pie. I suspect I will be busy but will have a blast doing it all. It's the next best thing to being with my parents. My husband has stated a preference that he would like to be here (home) either Thanksgiving or Christmas but it was my choice. I, of course, immediately chose Christmas because to me there is nothing better than being "home" (my parent's house) over the Christmas holidays.

But back to Thanksgiving. I am going to attempt something new, and exciting, and not a very good idea to do if you have never made it before. I'm making some homemade rolls from scratch. I got the recipe from here and decided to forgo the Brown 'N Serve variety, for a good old fashioned, yeast using, OMG what in the heck am I doing making these for the first time for a big dinner, roll.

The way I figure it, everything else I'm making is a slam-dunk. I've made all the other things on my list too many times to count. Of course, now that I say this, I'll probably burn the pie and under cook the green beans, but there you have it. I'm going out on a proverbial limb, and truth be told, I'm excited about it. I'll go ahead and by the old standby rolls in case they don't turn out but I'm optimistic. I've not worked much with yeast so it should be interesting.

I'm making up my grocery shopping list now, or after I publish this post. Tomorrow morning, Meelie's gymnastics practice is from 8-11 (thanks so much for letting me know this at 6:30 tonight coach). Chickie and I will head on out to Walmart, and she'll get her brows waxed (don't ask) while I pick up the food. We'll pick up Meelie after that, and then head on out to the movies. We are going to see Bolt and I'm looking forward to it. It's just going to be a girl’s day out, no BOYS allowed (sorry Dad). I don't know what else we will do but I do know we will have fun. The girls are excited, and of course I'm only doing this for them. Ah, the sacrifices we mothers make.

Five days off. Fun and food with friends. Trying new things. Spending time with my daughters. What more could a mom ask for?