Wes and I read about how high Turkey prices have gotten, so I was pleased today to see that Baker's here in Omaha has 2 different kinds of Turkeys on sale right now. One kind is $.68/lb the other is $.98/lb. I just saw this on a TV ad so I have to do some more research to see what the difference in the birds are, but I am super happy to see the prices falling back down to less than a dollar a pound!!

Also, I heard (have not yet verified) that BagNSave advertised in yesterday's Sunday World-Herald (Which I have not read yet) that they have Our Family brand Grade A Premium Turkey, .33/lb (with $25 additional purchase-that excludes the price of the turkey). This deal should be good through 11/24/10

I have to admit something...I am NOT a frugal Thanksgiving cook. I, in fact, go a bit crazy for Thanksgiving, even when I am just cooking for my family of 6 (2 adults, 4 kids ages 2-7). But, over the last 2 years, while I have been cooking for our family and friends on a budget, I have tried to cut down a bit. Just so you know where I am coming from, let me tell you that in the past, I have taken my mom's Thanksgiving menu and made it all plus a few additions I have added along the years (keep in mind ALL items are made from scratch including the cranberry sauce). So, (prepare for overload and shock) here is my mom's menu Plus my additions (I will denote those with *):

• Turkey
• Mashed Potatoes
• Sage "American" Stuffing/dressing
• "Greek" Dressing
• Cranberry Dressing
• Cranberry sauce
• Orange-Cranberry Relish/Sauce
• Gravy
• XiaXia's Rolls
• Yams/Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows
• Ambrosia
• Jello Salad
• Olive/Pickle/cheese appetizer tray
• Cheese Ball with crackers
• Hot Apple Cider
• Christmas Pudding
• Cranberry Cookies
• Pies-1-2 Pumpkin, the whatever else I feel up to making (Apple, Cherry, cream pies, mince meat)
• Pecan Pie*
• Ham/pickle/cream cheese roll ups*
• Green Bean Casserole*

Ok-I realize that for a family of 6 this is a bit crazy, but I feel like it is not much of a holiday if I am missing anything. However, I am realistic, so I have cut it down a bit, and there are a few things I no longer do from scratch.  So here is the menu as I have streamlined it over the years and which items I no longer make from scratch.  Also, some of the items I make throughout the weeks before and after instead of all on one day (like the desserts).  (Highlit items I still make. Bolded means I have cut it from the menu, and I will put comments next the the items):

• Turkey
• Mashed Potatoes
• Sage "American" Stuffing/dressing (I actually no longer make this from scratch though-we found that our little family likes Stove Top just as well and it is far easier!!)
• "Greek" Dressing (I actually LOVE this, but it is the hardest/most time consuming thing on the menu and I found I am usually the only one to eat it, so I cut it out-it also has expensive ingredients that are not as easy to find here in Omaha as they were to find growing up in Utah).
• Cranberry Dressing (I just cut down to 1 dressing)
• Cranberry sauce ( I just like the one with Orange better so I only make one)
• Orange-Cranberry Relish/Sauce
• Gravy
• XiaXia's Rolls (Admitedly I do not always do these from my XiaXia's recipe/from scratch. Sometimes I opt for pillsbury ones or premade to save time, but I always regret it!)
• Yams/Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows
• Ambrosia (Yes I realize this is both Bolded and highlit-It remains on my menu, but sometimes I don't get to it or have room in the fridge, so it is an iffy one)
• Jello Salad (As with the Ambrosia, this one is one I often end up skipping, and when I do make it, I rarely make the full Jello salad recipe-often it ends up being just jello made by the kids, and that is perfect for our family!)
• Olive/Pickle/cheese appetizer tray (This one really depends on sale prices. I like to have it for people to snack on all day while we cook, but if these items do not go on a great sale leading up to the holiday, they are cut out!)
• Cheese Ball with crackers
• Christmas Pudding (I save this for Christmas if I make it at all-my family is not big fans)
• Cranberry Cookies  (I always make these but usually not right on Thanksgiving-it is part of the Thanksgiving week treats though)
• Pies-1-2 Pumpkin, then whatever else I feel up to making (Apple, Cherry, cream pies, mince meat)
• Pecan Pie*
• Ham/pickle/cream cheese roll ups*
• Green Bean Casserole*

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Thanks That Freebie Site.

Lots of places have begun to release their Black Friday ads. As I mentioned in my previous Black Friday post, make sure to double check your local ads on Thanksgiving to make sure what you are looking for is part of your local ad as sometimes they vary regionally and sometimes the early released ads are not exactly the same as the final ads.

That being said, I want to tell you about a website I found and love! It is Black-friday.net. Here are a few reasons I particularly like this Black Friday site:

• They have listed all the Black Friday ads that have been released.
• You can search the lists by store or by item.
• You can sign up for email alerts for when new ads are released.
• You can make yourself a list on their site of the items you are interested in (which is an easier way to make the list I talked about in my previous post).

As an FYI-they have just released the WalMart ad and the Toys R Us ad is already up-those are usually 2 of my favorites and I am going to go look through them in just a minute here!

The Pillsbury gieaway ends on 11/17-just a couple days left to enter!!

Remember to enter BOTH of my giveaways (the BabyCenter one would make a GREAT baby shower gift) There are still LOW entries.

You can enter to win this fun giveaway that includes yummy Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls as well as Scrapbooking items meant for a family fun Sunday brunch! Go here to check it out and to enter!! This giveaway ends this week and has 48 entries right now!!!

AND this next giveaway is perfect for the expecting/new mom OR for a baby shower gift! You can enter to win this fantastic prize package that includes two new BabyCenter parenting books (BabyCenter® Pregnancy and BabyCenter® Baby), a package of Seventh Generation diapers, a gift card from BabyCenter partner, Shutterfly and a BabyCenter bib!!! This giveaway ends on 11/27 (my baby sister's 22 birthday). Go here to check it out and to enter As of this post there are 30 entries-the chances are good.