Thanksgiving Dinner for One, Two, Possibly Three.

When life gives us lemons. We make lemonade! And when our families can't make it to Thanksgiving or we have no one to celebrate with. We Make Thanksgiving Dinner anyways. Or at least I do. And just think a Thanksgiving alone or with only your spouse can be just what the doctor ordered. NO, "headaches" of the holiday travel, No family arguments, No impressing the in-laws. Just a nice easy dinner with holiday movies and a meal you can be proud of. Here is a simple grocery list of an easy Thanksgiving Dinner to enjoy. And how to prepare it. Total cost in my state I would guess around $35.00 to $45.00.

* Making this meal in this order is meant to make the meal as easy as possible. So that you may have a quick home made Thanksgiving Dinner that is easy to clean up and less hassle than a more traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Make and taste at your own risk.

1-2 Cornish Game Hens (follow directions of packaging)

2 Cans French Style Cut Green Beans (Drained)

1 Container French's Fried Onions

1 Can Mushroom Soup

1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce

1 Can Jellied or Whole Cranberry (chilled)

1 Package of Instant Potatoes or 1-2 Russet Potatoes

1 Large Can of Libby's Yams or Sweet Potatoes

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 cube of butter for Yams; 1/2 cube of butter for Stuffing; 1 cube of butter for basting Cornish Game Hens

1 package of mini marshmallows or 1 package of large marshmallows

1 Pillsbury Can of croissants or dinner rolls (follow directions on packaging)

1 Salad Kit (follow the directions on packaging)

1 Box of Chicken flavored Stuffing (follow directions on packaging)

1 package McCormick's Gravy (follow directions of packaging)

1 Frozen dessert of your choice (follow directions of packaging)

I make this meal every time my children are at their father's for the holiday. And when my family (whom live all over the U.S that never come to visit) aren't here with me.

I make the side dishes the night before. First I make the Green Bean Casserole. Drain the beans in a strainer and through them into a small casserole dish that can be used for baking in the oven. Add one can of cream of mushroom soup, worcestershire sauce, and half the can of French's french fried onions. Stir till all ingredients are thoroughly mixed together. Cover with foil and set it in the fridge till tomorrow. (I also like to add around 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper)

Next the Yams with Marshmallows. I like to put the yams and water from the can on the stove let them get warm. Then drain them with a strainer. Then put them in a mixing bowl. Add the butter and the brown sugar and mix the with a beater. Grab another small casserole dish. Cover it with Foil stick it in the fridge.

Cranberry. Jellied Cranberry needs to be stirred with a fork. Cover with Seran Wrap and put it in the fridge.

Almost forgot the stuffing. Oh and the would be Bad! No stuffing. Make according to directions of the box. Cover with foil and set it in the fridge.

If you buy instant potatoes you can make them the day of the meal or make them the day before. It's easier to make as much of the dinner the day before. Then all you have to do is stick the side dishes in the oven or microwave to warm up and get to the proper temperature. And then bake them.

On the day of Thanksgiving I make the Cornish Game Hens, which you can find in the freezer section of your local grocery store. Just follow the directions of the package. They are easier to make than a whole turkey. And they only take around an 1 hour and 55 minutes to bake.

You can even make the pie the day before. Warm it back up while your eating your dinner.

On the day of Thanksgiving all you have to do is turn on the oven to start the Cornish Game Hens and Start Cooking!

Take the green bean casserole the yams and the potatoes out of the fridge. If you use a microwave be sure to take the foil off the already prepared dishes and cover them with seran wrap to get them warm before putting them in the oven.

Now you can do this part one of two ways. Most of us only have one oven. And it would be great if we all had two for this type of meal. If I bake the hens first then set them out while heating up the side dishes they tend to lose their temperature faster than I like. So I suggest heating the side dishes in the oven or microwave around 15 minutes before the hens are done. Once you have preheated the side dishes into the microwave you will need to put the rest of the onions on top of the green bean casserole and the marshmallows on top of the yams. Then bake both at 350 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes or until marshmallows and onions are browned. The sides and then hens should hold temperature just long enough for you to make your dinner rolls in the oven and gravy on the stove.

* as the side dishes warm and bake, make the salad, put dinner rolls on the cookie sheet, and start the gravy. And cook according to directions.

May you all have a very Happy Holiday Season. Not a lonely one, a good one. One that your not alone. Even when you are.

Happy Thanksgiving 2016