Candies are made.
Chocolate cake "rounds" are made; won't make the filling and frosting and assemble it until tomorrow.
Turkeys are thawing. (We got just the breasts, so they're each only about the weight of a large chicken.) Rain is forecast for us, but if it's not too miserable outside, I'll start a charcoal fire and roast them on the grill -- can't beat that for flavor.
Liz has a big batch of bread dough in the 'fridge, where it will keep until tomorrow morning.
Bottles of wine and "hard" lemonade are lined up, waiting to be drunk.
Presents have been wrapped.
Cats are mostly sleeping, interrupted by occasional moments of looking puzzled or irritated that we have the temerity to disturb their beauty sleep.
The place is clean &
almost completely decluttered! I am chagrined to admit what a huge job that is every year.
Tomorrow, the final crazy run to make it all come together. Final cleaning, cake-making, bread-baking, turkey-roasting. And then, sometime around the time when I'm completely ready to just say, ah screw it, let's buy take-out, family arrives, and it's a pretty nice time.
I don't know how much of it comes across here, but Liz and I are both extreme introverts in real life. Being in the company of people, even family that we've known for decades (kids) or ever (parents, siblings), is very hard. Tiring. We'll both be exhausted by the time people finally leave, and the dishwasher's been loaded.
But I just wanted to say, if any of you were ever in the area, you'd be welcome too. I really appreciate the encouragement, laughs, advice, commiserations, and everything else that people share here. I'm grateful for AW, and all of you that make it what it is. Howsoever you celebrate the season, whether religiously or just enjoying some time with friends, relatives or yourselves, I hope it's a good time for you all.