I would never berate myself or feel bad for how the meal turned out because, to paraphrase Teddy Roosevelt, the other freeloaders who showed up to eat the meal don’t get to critique me, the chef, the lone man in the arena. Whatever I turn out of my kitchen is more than they did

LOL pp^^? To the OP, make a comprehensive list of all that needs to be done. If anything can be done on Wednesday, do it. Tomorrow, i plan to make the stuffing, cranberry sauce and set the table. Don’t forget to delegate (use your list).

Yeah, just don't make my sister's mistake and you will be fine (she read the label to say cook turkey for 25 minutes, not cook turkey for 25 minutes per pound, lol).

Thanks, OP. Here’s to the cooks, the hosts, and the dish washers. May your breasts be moist, your gravy smooth, and your pie crusts flaky!

Here, hear, OP!

And lest we forget the wise words of Tante Marie:
[youtube] https://youtu.be/foA0MGUbYH0?si=0calhiNvgCPiN4ah[/youtube]

Also remember this. This is ONE meal. One. And no one's last meal (hopefully lol). Lean into the disasters when they happen because that's how family stories get starred. People have more fun when the hosts are at their own party.

For any of you stressing about cooking/baking/serving a perfect meal (I've already had a minor meltdown, and it's only Tuesday!), here's something that always helps me:
"Ring the bells that still can ring/Forget your perfect offering/There's a crack in everything/That's how the light gets in" (Leonard Cohen).

So, if things don't turn out perfectly, don't worry! There's a crack in everything. Your family will know you love them and see how much you care even if the meal doesn't come out exactly as planned. (And the above quote is good for family relationships too...no family is perfect either!)

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone on this forum who is working so hard to give their family and friends a delicious meal. You are appreciated!