Ready for Thanksgiving? Here's a checklist

It's hard to believe but the feast of feasts — Thanksgiving — is just days away!

My question to you is: Are you ready?

Here's a handy five-point checklist to get you ready in no time at all:

1. Guest list. Have you confirmed who will and won't be there? Make those calls today.

2. The menu. Do you know what you're having besides turkey? Make your menu and appropriate grocery list and get it done as soon as possible. You don't want to wait until next week!

3. The turkey. Speaking of turkeys, remember if yours is frozen solid, it needs to thaw. You're going to want to give your turkey at least a few days to completely thaw. For more information on thawing the bird and for a tried-and-true Thanksgiving menu, complete with recipes, shopping list and timeline, go to www.savingdinner.com and click on the link for your own PDF version of the Thanksgiving menu-mailer.

4. Serving pieces. Do you have everything you need? Platters, serving utensils, extra plates, napkins, etc.? Buy or borrow now. You don't want to be making panicked phone calls on the big day!

5. Linen check. Pull out your tablecloth and napkins. Are they clean, are they pressed? If not, do them now. Then hang them up on hangers and put them in your hall closet (or wherever you can hang them). Doing them the night before or the day of will exhaust you! There's way too much to do on those two days.

If you can check these five things off today, you will be in great shape for the holiday.

Remember that holidays are for everyone, including the cook! Don't forget to ask for help, allow others to bring some of their favorite dishes, and on cooking day, make time to stop, put your feet up and be very thankful for the faces that will be sitting around your Thanksgiving table.

Here's my recipe for my favorite cranberry sauce — enjoy!

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Orange Cranberry Sauce

4 cups fresh or frozen cranberries (1 pound bag)

1 cup water

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 cup orange juice

Rinse the cranberries (even if they are frozen) in a strainer with cool water, and remove any stems and bad or blemished berries.