Citrus Cranberry Sauce:
1 cup chopped fresh cranberries
1/2 cup plus 1 tbsp orange juice concentrate, thawed
1/4 cup sugar
2 tbsp Grand Marnier
3/4 tsp grated orange rind
1/2 tsp grated lemon rind
1/4 tsp ground allspice

Mix ingredients together. Bring to boil; cover, reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Simmer uncovered for 5 more minutes. Cool.

Butternut Squash with pecans and blue cheese:
4 1/2 lbs butternut squash, unpeeled but seeded, cut into 1-inch cubes
3 tbls olive oil
6 stalks fresh thyme
1 cup pecans
1 cup crumbled blue cheese

Preheat oven to 425. Roast squash in oven with oil and sprinkled with 4 stalks stripped thyme leaves for about 30-45 minutes, or until tender. Toss in bowl with cheese and pecans. Season to taste and garnish with remaining sprigs of thyme.

The squash is Nigella Lawson. Don't remember where the cranberry sauce is from.

Especially since I found an easy squash/pecan/blue cheese recipe that makes much more sense.

Glurble...whimper...link, please?

So, it's a letdown to make fantastic and complicated side dishes for just me.

I will happily take any leftovers.

ETA: JZ, I'm way ahead of you. Literally.

::::marks Megan's post for later printing:::::

We're doing all new foods. I'm making a Cranberry Tangerine Conserve from epicurious. We're also making Stuffed Acorn Squash, Creamed Corn (from frozen), Baked Quail with Potatoes, Ham, Ambrosia, Green beans (it was going to be broccoli but green beans won out), Maple Glazed Carrots, Sweet Potato - PEcan Pie and Raspberry Chocolate Cheese Cake.

And maybe a fried turkey.

No dressing that I know of except the stuffing in the squash. We're trying to do different things this Thanskgiving since it's the first since my cousin died. Which of course it is since he died in June, but ... it's going to be hard. Good, but really hard I'm sure.

Peace to everyone who will be dealing with a lost loved one over the holidays.

Now if only my friend didn't hate nuts, and would let me make it with the gingersnap-pecan crust, instead of making me having a boring crust. Sigh.

How about making it with gingersnap-graham cracker crust?

How about making it with gingersnap-graham cracker crust?

yeah, I was contemplating a just gingersnap or graham cracker crust, but then I was afraid that might be too sweet, on it's own...anyone have thoughts on how to cut the sweetness (add savory), without adding nuts?

Hmmmm, we have a bad trend here. Matilda seems to be drawing the line at common courtesy.

"I want more chips!"
"Can you say please?"
"I don't want to say 'please'!"
"It's nice to say things in a nice way and say 'Please' and 'Thank you'."
"I don't want to say 'Thank you'! Chips!"

I'm not sure where the disconnect is occurring. Is it that onerous to say 'please' and 'thank you'? Obviously not. But clearly it rouses the rebel in her.

We're trying to do different things this Thanskgiving since it's the first since my cousin died. Which of course it is since he died in June, but ... it's going to be hard. Good, but really hard I'm sure.

askye, doing all new stuff sounds like a great idea. Speaking as someone whose mom died at Christmas, alcohol also helps. I hope it all goes well for you.

Crap, I'm an asshole. Cash, I'm sorry, I forgot to actually type out the sympathies for your sister and her nephew. That's so hard.