Fun Thanksgiving Ideas

Thanksgiving is and has always been one of my favorite holidays - how could it not be, the main focus is food and family?!  I'm hosting my dad's side of the family this year, and while I'm tempted to go all out and get crazy, I know most of the family wants the traditional, normal fare.  Plus, I'll be 30+ weeks pregnant with twins, and I'm not exactly up to spending the entire week in the kitchen these days.  There are nurseries to decorate and tiny baby clothes to buy (and couches to sit on and sitcoms to watch).  Anywho, we'll still have a very nice dinner, and it will be a group effort, with everyone contributing a dish or two.  For that, I am thankful!

But if you DO like mixing things up, here are some ideas for appetizers, sides, and desserts that are a little different and nontraditional.

P.S. If you are looking for something traditional, I'll be posting my very favorite recipe for dressing on Friday (or stuffing - but we'll address that then).  It's a keeper!

Appetizers, Salads, Drinks, and Sides (from top left)
Blue Cheese Cheesecake with Pear-Onion Jam
Harvest Pear Salad
Pomegranate Sangria
Roasted Beet Salad with Goat cheese and Spicy Maple-Glazed Pecans
Curried Butternut Squash Soup (would love to serve this in little shot glasses with the appetizers!)
Herbed Turkey Meatballs with Cranberry Dipping Sauce
Green Bean Bundles
Sparkling Pear Sangria
Sweet Potato and Pepita Salad with Avocado and Pomegranate Seeds

Desserts (Clockwise from Top Left)
Sweet Potato Bars with Marshmallow Topping
Apple Spice Cake with Caramel Swirl Icing
Triple-Chocolate Pumpkin Pie
Pralined Pumpkin Cheesecake
Triple Chocolate Cheesecake (a must-have at every holiday for my family)
Southern Comfort Caramel Apple Pie
Pear-Maple Cobblers
Glazed Cranberry Bundt Cake


And if you are stuck with tons of leftovers, here are two of my favorite ways to use up that turkey!

Turkey Cranchiladas
Turkey Sandwiches with Cranberry-BBQ Sauce