When all the leaves are off the boughs,
And nuts and apples gathered in,
And cornstalks waiting for the cows,
And pumpkins safe in barn and bin,
Then Mother says, "My children dear,
The fields are brown, and autumn flies;
Thanksgiving Day is very near,
And we must make thanksgiving pies!"

It's almost that time, isn't it? Time to make the pies. I can't believe that yet another Thanksgiving is just days away. I have been thinking about my Gram's stories of her childhood and Thanksgiving with her grandparents. She recalled the buggy ride through snow to their log home, the menu, and her cousins. I also think of the beautiful Thanksgiving dinners she prepared for us all of those years. I sure miss her!

We've been finalizing the plans for our Thanksgiving day feast. There have been some changes, though. My sister is hosting the gathering, but she is also still recovering from having a c-section as well, so I had planned to do the cooking. As it turns out, my surgery (biopsy) is scheduled for early Tuesday morning. I won't be able to bear weight on that leg for two days! I didn't realize that it would be this way or else I would have waited until after Thanksgiving to have it. Perhaps it won't be as bad after all. We'll see. I am still planning to cook, even if it's done from a chair. I will have to wait a week for the results, as they have to be sent to another city to be tested. I'm sure I will have plenty to keep my mind busy this week so that I am not thinking about it.

I would also like to share this time saving Thanksgiving tip with you. I mash my potatoes ahead of time and put them into a crock pot until we are ready to serve them. I always have perfectly seasoned, hot mashed potatoes with no last minute mashing and mess! You might consider it this year. :-)