Whether you are gathering with a few friends, hosting extended family or are an invited guest to give thanks, this prep list is for you.

I recall my mother doing it all every Thanksgiving, prepping a bit here and there during the week, but most of it was done in the style of happy kitchen chaos on Thanksgiving Day. I count my blessings that most of my late November days were spent with mom, who ran the show until we said goodbye three years ago.

Her silky gravy was the star of the feast but was the last to arrive at the table. I am this many years old before knowing this can be done weeks in advance. Mom’s high-heat roasted turkey was massaged with bacon grease before hitting the oven.

To emulate this, I give this treatment to turkey wings and turn them into her memorable gravy, minus t

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