This is the first year I’ll be going to only one Thanksgiving dinner, and it’s also the first year I’ll be bringing something to contribute … I mean, other than my good looks.

It’s no secret that I’m in L.O.V.E with The Pioneer Woman. She’s amazing, well I’d like to think she is anyways and I’ll just keep that little thought in my head because I haven’t met her. I guess she doesn’t know how much a thriving metropolis Ann Arbor is for her book tour. Anyways, I’ve been a follower of her website since Em told me about her Olive Cheese Bread a few years ago. Olives, cheese?! BREAD! I’M IN! I was in heaven, minus the part where there’s mayo in it, I’ve decided if I ever get the chance to make it, I’ll use cream cheese. That’s not what this is about. I’m still trying to decide what to bring for Thanksgiving dinner as my additional offering.

I am for sure going to be making the mashed potatoes. To be more specific, P-Dub’s Delicious, Creamy Mashed Potatoes.

Seriously, look at that. There’s so much butter in there you’ll probably have a heart attack while eating them, YUM! I might cut down the butter a little bit, and well, maybe replace it with cheese? Maybe. I don’t know yet. I’ve never made real mashed potatoes. Ever. I’m a tad nervous, but I do have a huge can of potato flakes if for some reason they don’t turn out.

So, the mashed potatoes have been decided. Easy peasy. Now comes the hard part. What to make for an appetizer. Here are the choices …

P-Dub’s Mushrooms Stuffed with Brie

I’m in love with these little bits of goodness. Brie and mushrooms and garlic! Seriously. YUM. However, Matt and his dad (I don’t know about his grandparents) hate, hate, HATE mushrooms. There’s always discussion of ‘food that pigs found’ or something to that effect when we talk about mushrooms. So, these are pretty much out, or, I could just say, HAHA! I made what I wanted to, and you have to try them because I slaved in the kitchen all day to make them.

Fried Ravioli

I fricken LOVE fried ravioli. It reminds me of the summer when I was younger and we’d go to Parties in the Park in Muskegon. One of the restaurants that unfortunately closed down a few years ago made the most amazing fried ravioli. I wouldn’t eat anything all day before we went so that I could have 2 orders. They were seriously amazing. I can’t even remember the restaurant’s name that made them, but they made the summer for me. Thanksgiving really isn’t a summer holiday and for that reason, and well, there really won’t be anything at all at a Thanksgiving dinner that goes with Fried Ravioli.

Parmesan Puff Pastry

Paula Deen can do no wrong. Do you see these things? Seriously. I might just buy the stuff to make them tomorrow when we’re grocery shopping. They look THAT good. YUM.

Bacon Wrapped Jalapenos

I’m not sure I actually have to say anything about these. LOOK AT THEM. YUM. Though, they are like jalapeno poppers, which aren’t really a Thanksgiving thing either, but they look so damned good! And, they might be a little spicy for my, as of late, hurty belly and Ginny’s aversion to anything spicy.

Holiday Bacon Appetizers

Right now, these are the front-runners, mostly because Ginny told me that they were what she wanted me to make. I’m pretty excited because they look oh-so-good, AND! if I’m going to make these, I’m going to need a baking sheet AND! baking racks. I’ve never had either, and it’s a good thing because I’ve been eying P-Dub’s Chex Mix which ABSOLUTELY REQUIRES me to have a baking sheet. So, therefore, I need one. Good transitive property there, eh?

Related posts:

1. Thanksgiving Already?
2. Hot Beef Sammiches
3. Spicy Cheese Biscuits
4. Pizza Pockets
5. Scalloped Potatoes