It's SO Cold, Even the Owls are Angry!

Last night, the night time temperature low was 19 degrees!  Yes, 19-freaking degrees?! (We tied a 1950's record!) That is just plain NOT fair! It is still Fall for goodness sake! Even the neighborhood owl was angry about it. In the middle of night, the owl was hoot-hoot-hooting his feathers off as if to say, "Really? Give me a break! It's only November!" I quite agree. 19-freaking degrees in November is just plain wrong-o! What to do? What to do?

The answer is simple, move. Pack up and move... Move somewhere it never gets cold and the sun is always shining, the birds are always singing (in fact they speak only lovely things) fingernails never break, and everyone gets three O's a day! Ahhh... Set me up! 

Okay. Okay. So we cannot all pack up and move. In fact, the place I just described only exists on lots of tequila. So what! Remember, there is never any judging here at Mary's Kitchen and I'm just saying... Wouldn't that be great? 

So for really - realsies, what to do? How about moving in a different sense. Stretch, do some indoor chores (like dusting your desk or something) and then, reward yourself with a fun project you're been wanting to try like bread making or mastering the perfect pie crust? I think this time of year is the perfect time to master homemade pie crust. We are entering pie season after all and nothing says holidays like pie. How to find the time for all the little bits of a special meal? Break them up of course. Today, I offer ten tips to prepare for the coming holiday meals, by working a little at a time. I hope it is useful.
1. Make and freeze home made pie crusts.
2. Make and freeze fresh apple pie filling.
3. Dry bread for the bread stuffing. 
4. Bake and freeze any homemade breads you plan to serve.
5. Make and freeze any special breakfast treats you plan to serve.
6. Begin planning for any special holiday treats that require time. For example; I make Stollen every year so there are many components to the bread I have to prepare ahead plus curing time for the Stollen itself so mark your calendars NOW for any treats like this you make, so you have set time aside.
7. Make some homemade treats now for giving later. For example; flavored salts, sugars, jams, jellies, liqueurs, flavored coffees, etc., you may give as little co-worker, teacher or neighbor gifts. Homemade gifts can be made and stored from now and having a nice stash of homemade goodies is always useful.
8. Keep an eye out for sale items and special deals at stores now, that can be frozen so you save money on special meals later.
9. Make and freeze snacks and appetizers so you have yummies for munching on if someone stops by, to bring to other people's homes or for enjoying when your family gathers.
10. Take care of yourself so you feel your best and stay healthy! (This should have been Number One.) Under this category is relax and have fun. DO NOT shop at a mall. Malls stink. Make gifts, order thoughtful gifts online, think out of the box. (Dance lessons, cooking classes, journals, blankets, slippers, a meal or drink in a basket, gift cards all make excellent and thoughtful (out of the box) gifts.)

Share your tips for upcoming holidays in the comments section. 

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