Photo From Food Network

I adore Sandra Lee, the host of Semi-Homemade Cooking With Sandra Lee and Sandra's Money Saving Meals on the Food Network. Her recipes and decorating ideas are so creative—seriously, how does she come up with this stuff?—but still accessible for families on a budget. I was really excited about getting the opportunity to speak with her last week and ask her if she had any last-minute Thanksgiving tips. Here's what Sandra had to say:

Photo From Martha Stewart

Remember a few weeks back when I was freaking out about making Thanksgiving dinner for my whole family and, more specifically, the stuffing?

Well, since then I've been trying recipes, and I think I found my favorite: Cranberry-Cornbread Stuffing (using the Skillet Cornbread I made earlier this week). It's a Martha Stewart recipe, but I've added a special, secret ingredient.

Photo From Food Network

Today I interviewed the Food Network's Sandra Lee about last-minute Thanksgiving tips (more on that later). I asked her which dishes are best to make BEFORE T-Day. Here's what she suggested...

Photo by Cafe Kim

I love giving homemade gifts to my friends and family during the holidays! These mini cinnamon coffee cakes (the recipe is my mom's) make festive, thoughtful gifts.

Photo by Cafe Kim

This week I'm testing holiday recipes to serve at the big Thanksgiving dinner I'm cooking for my whole family. This lovely—and, more important, EASY!— sage and honey skillet cornbread from Epicurious.com might just make the cut.

Photo From Rachel Ray Show

I'm such a sucker for stories about celebrities who volunteer and donate money to great causes especially during the holidays...

I've been reading about how talk/cooking show host Rachel Ray not only had her crew rebuild and remodel a soup kitchen in Ohio, but is also making sure it will be supplied with enough food to feed its more than 500 clients for an entire year.

See? I'm a total sucker for this stuff...

Pie—like stuffing—is another one of those Thanksgiving foods that everyone does differently.

Pumpkin and apple pie seem to be the most popular dessert enjoyed by families on Thanksgiving. But I've also heard of eating pecan, sweet potato, cranberry swirl, lemon, chocolate, banana pudding—even cheesecake!

Tell us what kind of pie (or other dessert) your family eats on Thanksgiving, but first: check out this Apple Pie recipe from the White House pastry chef, who Obama calls the "crustmaster":

Photo from Food and Wine

I love cranberries, but I know lots of people—particularly kids—can't handle the sourness. Still, with the right amount of sugar, I think this tart 'n' tasty fruit has potential to be more than a tired Thanksgiving side or a forgotten muffin. Check out the New York Times article about the underrated cranberry; then read on for an easy cranberry sauce recipe guaranteed to sweeten up your Thanksgiving spread. (None of that canned stuff allowed!)

I'm hosting Thanksgiving this year. It will be the first time I cook dinner with all the fixings for a big crowd. *Gulp.* I've got the turkey under control. But the one food that's stressing me out? The stuffing!

Help!

I'm planning a little Halloween get-together this weekend and have already started breaking out my Martha Stewart skills.

Here are some links I love for those of you that are doing the same: