Before you get all caught up the things to be bought and made in the weeks to come, use this week to get started right.  The 3 week in November each year is the drop off time for Operation Christmas Child - better known as "pack a shoebox time"  Drop off locations can be found in various community centers and places of worship all over the country.  It's fun to take the kids shopping for small items to pack the box with and start this season of gifts by actually giving away.  In recent years, we have enjoyed the process even more by doing our donation tags for the box online as then you can track your box to the country/region it was sent.  The kids enjoy looking on a map to get the magnitude of the process and where that simple box that was once at our house has now been transported to.  For further information please go to www.samaritanspurse.org

Here's a family favorite recipe that fits theme too as it makes 3 delicious loaves so some to give and some to keep!

Best Evah Pumpkin Bread:

3c. sugar
1 c. veg oil
3 eggs
3 c. flour
1 tsp. cinnamon and nutmeg each (or 2 tsp of apple pie spice)
1 1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking soda
1 T. baking powder
2/3 c. water
2 c. canned pumpkin
1 c. chopped nuts or chocolate chips (white choco chips are great in this!)

Beat together sugar oil and eggs with spoon.  Sift together dry ingredients. Add sifted dry mix alternatively with a bit of water to wet mix, beating well after each addition until all dry/water and wet mixed together.  Add pumpkin/nuts/choco chips and stir well.  Pour into 3 greased loaf pans.  Bake 350 for approx 70-90 mins until tester comes out dry.
 

The two biggest tips I have for getting ready for big holidays meals are: delegate and pick some items for the menu that you can prep ahead.  You know people in your family/friends being invites all have some dish they are known for so take advantage of that and ask them if they can bring that to the meal.  If you have friends/family coming that aren't cooks - ask them to be in charge of bringing extra ice, the honey baked ham or even the Gladware containers for packing up leftovers for folks to take home.  

The following is a great recipe you can prep early and have on hand for your meal - if you can manage to wait to eat them til then ;)

Pecan Pie Muffins:
1 c. packed light brown sugar
1/2 c. all purpose flour
1 c. chopped pecans
2/3 c. butter melted and cooled a bit
2 eggs lightly beaten

In a large bowl:  combine brown sugar, flour and pecans then set aside. Combine butter and eggs and stir into sugar mix.  Fill greased and floured (very important!) mini-muffin cups 2/3 way full.  Bake 350 for 20-25 mins.  Immediately flip onto wire rack to cool.  Yields 2 dozen.