Out & About

In Focus

I TRU LY LOVE and enjoy all the cooking and decorating for the holidays—and I know you, as a Living reader, do too. But I always have to remind myself not to get overly ambitious about what I can actually achieve on Thanksgiving, especially this year, when I want to spend more time with family and less in the kitchen or fussing about. My goal is to experience the day in full, not in a race against time in a cooking contest of my own making.

The whole point of this, after all, is being with your people, and the photo above is my sweet reminder. You can see my ecstatic son (top left), thrilled to be with his cousins on our last Thanksgiving together, two years ago. Fast-forward: That baby, Augie, just walked and talked his way into nursery school, and his brothers have grown in physical leaps and mental bounds, too. Life moves fast. This holiday, I don’t want to miss a thing.

So how does one balance quality time with the flock and creating a super-special feast? First, get them in the kitchen with you. Then use our ideas to make a delicious meal in a warm setting, without the stress. “Simply Grateful” offers a flavor-packed menu that streamlines your efforts and your grocery list; it will tickle every taste bud come turkey time. Speaking of the bird, there’s a fantastic preparation idea in that story, and in her column (page 15) Martha shares an ingenious grilling method that ticks off several boxes: The result tastes divine; it cooks the whole turkey to burnished, brown perfection while freeing up oven space for baking sides; and we all know a grill is a great thing to gather around for a few laughs while it works its magic. Win, win, win. Here’s to a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Elizabeth Graves, Editor in Chief

Let’s keep in touch! Email me at elizabeth@marthastewart.com Follow me on @ebgraves For all subscription inquiries, call 800-999-6518.

| LIVING IN MY LIFE | Here, just a handful of our ideas that I’m excited about this month.

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In “Old Meets New,” home editor Lorna Aragon mixes classic china patterns with new tableware to gorgeous effect. Page 29.

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As you’ll see in “Autumn Aglow,” your holiday table and décor can be stunning—and stunningly simple to make way ahead of time. Page 72.

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“Simply Grateful,” by deputy food editor Greg Lofts, is a Thanksgiving feast that will delight everyone. Many ingredients multitask, and the turkey cooks in half the usual time. Page 78.

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I’m a big fan of these aprons by G.K.P. (aka Good Kitchen Products), a California company we feature in American Made. Page 35.

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There might be a coup if we don’t keep some traditions, like my mom’s sweet potatoes with pecans. But “Beyond Pie” inspires me to shake up the dessert lineup. Page 90.