My Thanksgiving Menu

Because we're on our own for Thanksgiving this year, and because I know, I just know, that my kids will most likely eat only a few things on the menu, I'm making what sounds good to me.
Here it is, in all it's excess and glory (links provided when possible):

Herb-Roasted Turkey with Shallot Pan Gravy

Sausage, Cranberry, and Pecan Stuffing

Perfect Mashed Potatoes

Rolls - lots and lots of rolls from my zoji

Ambrosia - Gran's recipe, and this is all for me - oranges, coconut, pecans and maraschino cherries - Heaven!

Mom's Famous Orange Jell-o - and I even have the Jadeite green mold just like hers - I searched and searched on e-bay for one for quite a while. This is the. best. jell-o. ever. It's orange jell-o, boiling water, orange sherbet instead of cold water and a can o' mandarin oranges, drained. Awesomeness. We've been eating it in our family for years and years. I can't imagine Thanksgiving without it.

Brown-Sugar Glazed Yams with Marshmallows - I must have these. I will eat them all myself if needed.

Brussels Sprouts with Onion and Bacon - Aaron and I share a deep and abiding love for brussels sprouts. Yeah, we're weirdos.

Carrots with Shallots, Sage and Thyme - my kids love carrots, so we'll see if they eat these

And for dessert:

Chocolate bundt cake - for the kids
Pumpkin tarts - for Aaron
Lemon tarts - for me (I might share for Laurel)

I'm not meaning to exclude my kids from the process. I know what they will eat (turkey, potatoes, maybe carrots, definitely jell-o and rolls for sure) and I know that I want more than just kid friendly food. I also want them to see adults enjoying different things. James and Will can be quite adventurous if they see Aaron and I enjoying something.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!