The computer paper with everything I’m cooking over the next two weeks is taped to my pantry door.

Dinner with friends. Family birthdays. Thanksgiving.

Hands down, I get the most excited about cooking for Thanksgiving.

About 30 people. Between the two families.  For the trip across town to my parents’ house for Thanksgiving lunch. Dinner will be at my in-laws at 5p. 

Creamy mashed potatoes with fresh rosemary. Lots of butter. And my secret, ½ an onion cooked and mashed with the potatoes. 

Let’s not forget the apple pie with the crumble top. My Grandma’s recipe and Grandpa’s favorite.

Who am I kidding, it’s everyone’s favorite and unless I stand guard over two skinny slices to take home, there’ll just be crumbs in the red ceramic pie dish. 

I’ve made it so many times. It’s become Charissa’s apple pie.

Related: The Best Apple Pie Recipe (there’ll be zero leftovers!)

Trying to make my grocery budget stretch to cover all these potatoes and apples can be a tricky thing. 

You’ll enjoy the turkey and gravy, don’t forget about the apple pie, even more when you can save as much as you can.

Because when money’s tighter than you’d like, it’s easy to feel bad because you don’t have a lot of money to spend. And there’s this pressure from how, we assume, others look down on us for……

That we’re not measuring up.

Or when we’d love to do more, but right now there’s too many bills to pay off.

Can I remind you Thanksgiving isn’t about who spends the most. Or how much you spent. It’s about cherishing the time you have with family and friends.

Because you really don’t know how much longer you’ll have with them.

Last year, my Uncle Mark called me a few days before. He had an idea. We, meaning you Charissa, could mix up everyone’s name on a scrap piece of paper.

Then have everyone pick a name from the bowl. Share something nice that you appreciate about the person you picked.

Good idea. I can do that.

Then 7 minutes later, he called back again. Oh and what do you think about having a pile of conversation starters. You know, to ask questions. Get everyone to answer,

So I lead those two activities. My family sat around the table for 4 hours - never happens. And we talked. Laughed at some of the answers.

Uplifted by the thoughtful comments shared. Compliments not often spoken out loud but meant a lot and brought some to tears.

And we decided the appreciation circle needed to be our new tradition.

By all means, save as much as you can to be a wise steward of your money. And to continue to make progress on your money dreams.

Focus on your blessings and all the things you’re grateful for. Enjoy your family and ask conversation starters. Like if I were a pair of shoes, what kind would I be?

Cute… and comfortable heels. Even though I only have two pairs and they’re not super comfortable. Thanks for asking.

I have to sit on the blue cooler lid for it to close. It's time to head across town for lunch at my parents and dinner with my in-laws. 

 My hubs grunts as he swings the cooler up on his muscular shoulder to go down three flights of stairs.  

It'll be much lighter tonight. With a dollap of cold mashed potatoes, 1-2 slices of pie and a few rolls leftover. 

 Grateful to have 30 members of family to cook for. And creative ways to save money on Thanksgiving.