I enjoy baking, except when that’s all I do for several days. But I love Thanksgiving, so it’s all worthwhile. I don’t enjoy baking for probably a week after Thanksgiving though. I think this is why it’s nice to have so many leftovers, so you don’t have to!

I like to get as much done ahead of time as possible. I only have 1 oven, well 2, but one’s a woodfired cookstove, so if we light it, I use it more for warming than for cooking, although it will do that, it just takes a lot longer.

My schedule usually starts on Tuesday. I got the turkey out of the freezer and put it in cold water to thaw most of the way, and then put it in my fridge until Thursday morning. Then I got all my pie dough made, the chocolate pie done, and pecan pie bars finished last night.

Today, Wednesday, I made the rest of the pies (pumpkin still in the oven), and I am waiting to bake the rolls. I also cut up the bread for the stuffing so that it can sit out overnight to dry. If it’s not totally dry by morning I will put it in the oven for a few minutes before the turkey goes in.

Tomorrow will be cooking most of the stuff we want hot. Turkey, stuffing, green beans, mashed potatoes, and sweet potatoes. I will also make a veggie tray, fruit salad, and a cheese and pickle tray. Although, the night is not over, I may make the fruit salad tonight and cut up the cheese as well. We’ll see.

Today was also the big decision day for me. Well, I made the decision several days ago, but I took care of the paperwork today. I decided to go with the publisher and get my book started with them. I am excited but nervous as this was never part of the winter budget. I felt like this was the direction I needed to take however, so I am going to leave it in the Lord’s hands to help us pay for it. I will keep you all updated as we go along as this is a new experience for me, and I am excited to see where it takes me!