A co-worker made this every year for our company Christmas party & I loved it.

Marinated Vegetable Salad
1 C. sugar
3/4 C. cider vinegar
1/2 C. vegetable oil
1 t. ground black pepper
1/2 t. salt
1 (16 oz.) can French cut green beans, drained
1 (16 oz.) can Sweet English Peas, drained, or 1 1/2 cups cooked frozen peas
2 (14 oz.) cans Shoepeg Corn, drained
1 (2 oz.) jar diced pimento, drained
1 C. chopped celery
1/2 green bell pepper, diced (can use red, yellow or green)
1 bunch green onion, chopped
1 or 2 cans water chestnuts

Mix 1 cup sugar, vegetable oil & vinegar, pepper & salt in saucepan. Heat to melt sugar. Cool. Toss dressing with
remaining ingredients. Mix & chill for at least 8 hours. Serves 8 to 10 people.

Here's a really good cheese ball for an appetizer. You can find the dried beef in the canned meats department of your grocery store. It comes in a small glass jar.

Dried Beef Cheese Ball
2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
6 oz. dried beef, washed thoroughly & cut into small pieces
4 green onions, chopped
1/2 t. onion powder
1/2 t. garlic powder
2 T. Worcestershire sauce
Finely chopped nuts

In a medium size mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, dried beef, green onions, onion powder, garlic powder and Worcestershire sauce. Form the mixture into a ball. Roll the ball in finely chopped nuts & refrigerate overnight.

Their home is something I might aspire to, and has plenty of outlets. What I think is neat about the crock pot idea is that I can fix it wherever I am in the morning and it will be ready in the late afternoon.

P.S. I lived in Navy housing like that -- one outlet per room, one switch per hallway -- once out of there I felt liberated!

What about a broccoli/crasin salad. I have taken this to many potlucks and it sure does go over well. If you want to PM me-I will look at my recipes and e-mail it to you.

That is how I am leaning. Great ideas!

I agree with the 'cold salad' idea for all the reasons already mentioned.. Here are a few of my favorites for you to consider :)

Broccoli pasta salad - you can never go wrong with anything bacon! https://spicysouthernkitchen.com/bro...d-pasta-salad/

Cranberry almond broccoli salad (a family favorite) https://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/cra...vefyre-ratings

Spicy Cilantro Slaw - this has a very distinct (but I think good) flavor if you want something a bit different http://kalynsprintablerecipes.blogsp...anut-slaw.html

Anything in the Crock pot is a good alternative too :thumbup:

I'm getting hungry!

I am very traditional when it comes to Thanksgiving dishes. There have been some good ideas already listed. My thought is the traditional green been casserole but prepared in a crockpot. That way, staying hot won't be a problem (yes, I agree, that can definitely an issue with holiday meals). Personally, I use canned French cut green beans, a can of cream of mushroom soup (can dilute with broth if you like), then top with the crispy French fried onion rings just before serving.

Copper pennies carrots are a tasty and super easy cold vegetable side. Also better a day or so after you make them.

DD makes this without the onion rings. Instead she prepares a box of stuffing to put on top. Sooo good.

For someone traveling, I never expect hot things. Salads kept on ice. Bread. Paper plates and dessert.