LAST MINUTE THANKSGIVING REMINDERS

Are you feeling a little overwhelmed with last-minute details for Thanksgiving? Somewhere between mashed potatoes and a “green side dish,” I left a strand of lights dangling over the front door.

The gentle breeze pushes them against the glass sidelights.

I am looking for a staple gun. A staple gun solves problems.

And between the to-do lists and a load of laundry, the vacuum has gone missing. And I spent 12 minutes searching for a Christmas show I started on Sunday, while baking these pumpkin cookies with buttercream icing.

The most surprising admission this week is that I have never made fresh green beans.

I know. I grew up on canned green beans.

So I am not sure how many pounds of green beans I need to feed 16 people.

I found the Brussels sprouts I bought (two weeks ago hovering in the refrigerator bin looking a little ragged.

My backup plan is this yummy Brussels sprout recipe.

The secret ingredient is a wee bit of sweet chili sauce.

What is your biggest challenge this week?

So, in the crazy hours leading to Thanksgiving, here are a few last-minute tips before you head out to the grocery store.

Clean the guest bathroom + add a roll
Buy an extra bag of ice
Lemons & limes, because even if you serve water, every drink looks better with a wedge

TRAY OF LEMON AND LIMES ON KITCHEN COUNTER

4. I reminded you of this a few months ago. Fill the salt & pepper shakers.

5. Unload the dishwasher.

6. My mom has a “soaking tub” in her sink to drop her silverware and serving utensils so they don’t get “stuck on food.”

Guess where I got this tip?

7. Empty kitchen trash cans before dinner. I use brown paper bags to line the bottom of the bin to catch the mess! I have to get the most out of that ten-cent bag charge ( when I forget my go-to reusable bags, heavier than the Homegood bags!