Thanks-Giving

This holiday season, I am most thankful that I get to spend Thanksgiving day with my family.  It has been 4 years since I've been able to say that because:
4 years ago I was studying in London and didn't get any time off from school to fly home;
3 years ago I was trapped in a hotel room in Memphis and in the air after trying to get home for Thanksgiving day, but not making it until late Thanksgiving evening after the meal had been eaten and left-overs had been packed away (i.e. close, but no cigar);
2 years ago I was studying like a madwoman through Thanksgiving break for a business associations and tax finals; and
Last year I stayed in Cleveland and made an entire thanksgiving meal with Christopher and enjoyed desserts with the Pollis Family.
But, this year, I will be snuggled up with Maggie and Kendal watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Dog Show and watching Elf for the first time and helping prepare the Thanksgiving Day meal.  Because I am going (I use this form of the verb because, while I have given up all meat, I'm clinging to crustaceans for a bit.  However, I've been 'animals with a face free' since August) vegetarian, there will be no turkey on my plate.  Instead it will be filled with the supporting cast of delicious sides.  I'll be making, from scratch, Alton Brown's green bean casserole recipe.  I'm super excited to try this version that doesn't use processed-soup or other foods.  Instead of Campbell's, I'll make my own cream of mushroom soup and instead of French's, I'll make the fried onions.  Here's the recipe:

I'm also making a vegetarian version of my Grandmother's beloved stuffing, a vegetarian gravy and a spinach-artichoke dip from the Whole Foods Cook book for those tummies that cannot wait until dinner time to be filled.  I'll post those recipes later in the week as we get closer to Thanksgiving Day! :)  Happy cooking and safe travels!