We have the "Traditonal" Turkey dinner, but only because I do not cook Thanksgiving dinner. I did it once, and never will again (it's a long story). So now that my Mother-in-law is no longer with us, we buy a "carryout" dinner from Bob Evans Farm restaurants the day before. It consists of roast Turkey breast, stuffing, cranberry-orange relish, mashed potatoes, and biscuits. I cook vegetables (usually Brussel Sprouts, because we like them), and mashed Rutabaga (we like that too...I know...we are odd). I bake Pumpkin Pie, and sometimes make my own cranberry sauce. My husband always works on Thanksgiving Day until around 4:00 PM. When he comes home he takes a nap, and then we eat. All I have to do is heat everything up and serve. It's easy and makes the day pleasant for both of us, and therefore makes me "extra" thankful.

I used to make spaghetti sauce "from scratch". I did it that way for years and years, then one day my husband's cousin served us Baked Ziti which she had made using jarred sauce. I was amazed! This was about ten years ago, and the only time I had tried sauce from a jar it was horrid. Well, the Baked Ziti was delicious, so I decided to give sauce from a jar a try. The next time I made a pasta casserole (the hubby loves Southern Italian), I tried "Newman's Own" Tomato and Basil sauce. I couldn't believe how delicious it was...certainly as good as my sauce ever was. Next I tried Prego with Italian Sausage...another hit! Well, the bottom line is that I haven't cooked Spaghetti sauce from scratch in over ten years, and I'm not sorry either...LOL.

These days, most of my "scratch" cooking involves soup...the Internet has taken my time away...because I let it. I think I'm a junkie. 

Tradition is for the "unimaginative" ... one family member of my husbands' side tells me that it is a MUST to have brussel sprouts with Christmas dinner, even though it is not enjoyed by the majority of the family members. For me, that is a good enough reason to take it off the menu, even though great-great grandma ALWAYS served it. Sigh!

Whatever you serve, do it with a thankful heart ... ! We are all so blessed! We Canadians have celebrated Thanksgiving last month, but I like to think that Thanksgiving should be every day!

Mona

Family traditions are what's most important.  Who cares if the rest of the country has turkey or perhaps ham?!  Good for you for doing what your family likes...and making that a very special Thanksgiving meal!!