SATURDAY

Morning: Shields Date Garden Trip (10:00 AM - 1:00 PM)

  • Family excursion for Medjool dates

  • Plan 3 hours to enjoy experience

Afternoon: Wine & Spirits (2:00 PM - 4:00 PM) Total Wine (all alcohol in one trip)

  • Far Niente Dolce Late Harvest Wine

  • La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

  • St. George Terroir Gin

MONDAY

Morning Shopping (9:00 AM - 10:00 AM) Ralphs Early Prep Items

  • Bellwether Farms Ricotta

  • Port wine

  • Fresh cranberries

  • Any pantry staples needed

Prep Work (10:30 AM - 4:30 PM)

  • Make cranberry sauce with port:

    • Cook fully

    • Cool completely

    • Store in airtight container

  • Prep date filling:

    • Mix ricotta, honey, orange zest

    • Store in piping bag

    • Label "FOR DATES"

  • Make herb butter for turkey:

    • Roll in parchment

    • Freeze for Thursday

  • Pre-measure all spices into labeled containers

  • Iron linens

  • Polish serving pieces

  • Create sticky notes for serving pieces

TUESDAY

Morning Shopping (9:00 AM - 11:00 AM) Trader Joe's (Main shopping)

  • Brussels sprouts on stalk

  • Rainbow carrots

  • Leeks

  • Celery

  • Shallots

  • Garlic

  • Fresh herbs:

    • Thyme (2 packages)

    • Rosemary

    • Italian parsley

    • Chives

  • Raw almonds for green beans

  • Pistachios for dates

  • Tonic water (4 bottles)

  • Oranges for zest

  • Fresh flowers

  • Pancetta for brussels sprouts

Bristol Farms (Just lettuce)

  • Frisée (Chickory)

  • Butter lettuce

  • Belgian endive

  • Watercress

  • Romaine heart

Crockpot Pickup

  • Pick up 7 crockpots

  • Bring home and inventory:

    • 1 large for turkey

    • 1 small for gravy

    • 5 medium for sides

    • Verify all have lids

    • Check for cracks/damage

Prep Work (11:30 AM - 6:00 PM)

  • Toast all nuts:

    • Almonds for green beans

    • Pistachios for dates

  • Process Brussels sprouts:

    • Remove from stalk (save section for display)

    • Clean and trim

    • Store with paper towels

  • Prep all vegetables:

    • Trim green beans

    • Peel rainbow carrots

    • Chop celery and leeks for stuffing

    • Mince shallots for all dishes

  • Toast breadcrumbs for brussels sprouts

  • Make garlic-herb mixture for mashed potatoes

  • Triple wash all lettuces (Via Carota method):

    • Handle each variety separately

    • Dry completely

    • Wrap in clean towels

    • Store in bags with paper towel

  • Mix sherry vinaigrette base

  • Prep citrus garnishes:

    • Zest and slice oranges/lemons

    • Store with damp paper towel

  • Set table

  • Arrange flowers

Evening - Guest Preparation (6:30 PM - 7:30 PM)

  • Set up air mattress

  • Make bed with fresh linens

  • Arrange guest amenities

  • Set up morning coffee station

WEDNESDAY

Morning Shopping (8:00 AM - 9:15 AM) One Trip to Sprouts/Ralphs

  • Straus Family Creamery Organic Butter

  • Straus Family Creamery Whipping Cream

  • Eggs

  • McConnell's Vanilla Ice Cream

  • Point Reyes Original Blue Cheese

  • Point Reyes Golden Gate Gruyère

9:30 AM - Dion Arrives

  • Welcome and house orientation

  • Coffee and light breakfast

Crockpot Prep (10:00 AM - 11:00 AM)

  • Wash all crockpots thoroughly

  • Test each one with water

  • Label each for its dish

  • Set up stations where they'll be used

Main Prep Work (11:00 AM - 4:00 PM)

  • Make Ultimate Pumpkin Pie

  • Make Brandolini Toffee Cheesecake

  • Make mashed potatoes:

    • Complete fully

    • Store in crockpot insert

    • Refrigerate

  • Mix stuffing ingredients (except liquid):

    • Combine dried bread, herbs, vegetables

    • Store in airtight container

  • Make Golden Milk Punch base

  • Cut cheeses and rewrap

  • Finish sherry vinaigrette

  • Set up bar area (everything but ice)

  • Pre-measure coffee for service

  • Complete final room arrangements

Evening (5:00 PM - 8:00 PM)

  • Final kitchen organization

  • Set out butter to soften overnight

  • Review timeline

  • Organize refrigerator by course

  • Easy dinner with Dion

THURSDAY

Morning (8:00 AM - 9:00 AM)

  • Remove turkey from refrigerator

  • Set up preparation zones

  • Fill ice bins

9:00 AM - 11:30 AM

  • Store air mattress and bedding

  • Transform living room

  • Final flower touches

  • Set up crockpots in stations

Main Cooking Timeline

  • 11:30 AM: Start turkey (425°F)

  • 2:30 PM: Check turkey temperature

  • 3:00 PM: Turkey should be done

  • 3:00-3:30 PM: Rest turkey and make gravy

  • 2:45-3:15 PM: Roast brussels sprouts (400°F)

  • 3:15-3:45 PM:

    • Add liquid to stuffing and bake (375°F)

    • Roast honey-glazed carrots

    • Pan-roast green beans

    • Turn on crockpot with mashed potatoes

Final Assembly (3:00-4:00 PM)

  • 3:00-3:15 PM:

    • Stuff dates

    • Final bar setup with ice

    • Garnish prep

  • 3:15-3:45 PM: PERSONAL PREP TIME (DO NOT SCHEDULE ANYTHING ELSE)

  • 3:45 PM:

    • Carve turkey

    • Transfer all to crockpots:

      1. Turkey (large crockpot)

      2. Gravy (small crockpot)

      3. Mashed potatoes

      4. Stuffing

      5. Brussels sprouts

      6. Green beans

      7. Carrots

    • Final appetizer plating

Service Schedule

  • 4:00 PM: Guests arrive

    • Begin aperitif service

    • Medjool Date & Ricotta Jewels

    • Mt. Tamalpais Botanical Gin & Tonics

  • 4:45 PM: First Course

    • Mixed Lettuces with Vinaigrette

    • Cheese & Bread Service

    • Heidrun Sparkling Mead

  • 5:30 PM: Main Course

    • Full buffet service

    • La Crema Pinot Noir

  • 7:30 PM: Dessert guests arrive

  • 8:00 PM: "Proud Mary" Performance

  • 8:15 PM: Dessert Service

    • All desserts out

    • Far Niente Dolce

    • Coffee/Tea Service

Late Evening

  • Reset living room for Dion

  • Return air mattress and bedding