it's here!

Thanksgiving week is here! So exciting. I have so much to do, and just for fun I thought I would share my To Do list for this week. I've kinda scheduled out my days since I'm working in a trip to visit my Big Sister and her family (with plenty of lovin' on the new little baobao) and a B-day dinner for our dear friend Chocolate since he will out of town for his birthday next weekend. Since it's actually Monday evening I technically have checked off the items for today but I'll include them anyway.

Monday

Shopping at Walmart

Shopping at import store

Tuesday

8:30 Leave for DJ's village

12ish Return and have a short rest/meal

Afternoon: Make pie crust (oh how I miss Pillsbury roll out crusts!) and Buttermilk White Sauce for Green Bean Casserole

6:00ish Dinner for Chocolate's Birthday at hot pot and back home for cake

Wednesday

9:00 Trip to Market for fresh veggies

10:30ish Wash all veggies (they have to soak for a while since there is no laws to regulate pesticides) and prepare for afternoon of cooking.

12:00 Lunch break/time with boys

1:30 Get busy...make fried onions for Green Bean Casserole topping, make Hummus for veggie tray, make Sweet Potato Casserole (leaving off topping till the next day), make whipped cream for all the desserts!

8:00 This is my wishful thinking time of completion so that I can get a good night's rest and not feel exhausted all day. Also at some point during the day/evening I hope to put out some Fall/Thanksgiving decorations. I don't have any and have never really decorated during this time of year but my friend had some extras and is letting me use them so I can make our home a little more festive!

Thursday

AM Get both casseroles finished and baked. Put together Candied Apple Pie to be refrigerated until baking time in the afternoon.

Finish cleaning for evening guests

12:00 Get family and food out the door and to lunch host's home.

12:30 Relax and eat a wonderful meal!

2-2:30 Return home for boy's naps

2:30 Bake pie and finish with candied topping

Make Turkey Noodle Soup

Finishing touches and cleaning around the house

Set up dessert table, drinks area and soup

4:30 Friends arrive and fun continues!

8:30 (or whenever everyone leaves) Stan and I will enjoy a Christmas movie with some Apple Cider :)

Friday

(I know this is after Thanksgiving but it's part of the week)

Relax, decorate for Christmas--Stan refuses to do it before the day after Thanksgiving-- and watch Christmas movies. Oh yeah and eat LEFTOVERS!

This list may not sound too daunting as it is but add in there three small children, one of which I must stop what I'm doing and feed throughout the day, my normal 8-10 loads of laundry, and numerous kitchen mishaps (cause you know I am SO clumsy) and it is for sure gonna keep me constantly busy. I know Stan will be a huge help with the boys and staying on top of the dishes. I'm also really hoping not to interrupt my normal morning routine of workout and quiet time so that I will have plenty of patience and can feel less guilty about the extra calories.

Let the carb overload begin!

(Oh and all linked recipes are new for me so I will let you know how they turn out!)