Mine is 22 lbs. You do have normal size for a BBB. I wait until the last available hatch, which comes in July here, to get my poults. We try to time it so that they're slaughtered at 20 weeks. That gives us a few 16 pound hens, several birds from 18-22 and a few toms that are 26-28 pounds. The largest birds usually aren't taken. Our customers want them from 18-20 lbs, especially since farm raised birds have so much more meat per pound than store bought. Store bought birds are typically injected with fluid. That adds weight without adding substance. We cut our large birds into pieces. The breast is used for roasting and the leg/thigh for soup. I don't like to have them larger than 20 pounds but some are always faster growers. They get limited commercial food and have to forage for the rest. I think I'm done raising commercial birds. I'll see how early and many poults my bourbon reds hatch next year. If I have four hens. If they each raise only five or six I'm all set. Happy Thanksgiving!

excel spreadsheets? lists? rooms dedicated to wrapping? Sheesh that's far too organized for me. I thought just getting the ornaments organized by tree was a HUGE undertaking! For wrapping I use the desperately rushed, christmas is in 4 hours, need a bottle of wine approach. I spread out the entire mess of crap with a hole in the middle for me and the wine, and begin digging my way out carefully :p I actually am organized when it comes to the decorations though. I have one attic for trees, one for ornaments that go on the trees that are on the 3rd and 4th floor as well as the decoration, and then I store the decorations and ornaments for the first floor and second floor are kept on the second floor. Less hauling down (and up) stairs that way :) I also label the boxes for the appropriate tree which is helpful when distributing boxes around the house. WHile I can obviously see what's vintage and what's traditional as well as all the other themes of a tree through the plastic boxes, I don't know how many vintage go to each tree unless I put them in separate boxes. THat leaves me just enough ornaments for each tree without taxing my little brain. I wish I could apply that kind of organization to presents LOL I do actually wrap all but the Santa ones in advance (so that's the 23rd verses the 24th btw) and those can go out under the main tree. I have been known to buy the same thing more than once...perhaps that list idea is a good one LOL Gad a room dedicated to wrapping and holiday storage...well I'm a bit nutso over christmas (major santa barf is in EVERY room) so that would have to be a big big big room! But it's a lovely fantasy!

Very sparingly. LOL Normally, I don't step foot in a store without knowing what I'm looking for. I'm not really a "browse around" type of shopper...I'm a get in, get what I need, and get out type of girl. I will spend more $$ to buy something quickly and in a comfortable (ie, not busy or bustling) environment just because it's worth it to me. If I see an item I've been waiting to buy on sale somewhere else at a higher price, I'll get it - saving the gas and frustration is totally worth the extra $$, IMO. Making most of my gifts means I don't have to shop as much, which I like a lot. LOL This year I have a book I need to buy for a gift, and some little stocking stuffers for my mom (I've already bought the usual christmas coffee samples for it), and some small gifts like a gift cert. to the dog groomer for one of their dogs, cat and dog treats, maybe some candles or potpourri. Luckily most of the women in my family read, so books are always an option - I like bookstores, so that is an easy shopping trip (though I end up buying myself stuff too - expensive). If I have to *buy* the gift, it will usually be something small from a smaller-type store, rather than something from department stores or mall stores. I try to keep bought gifts under $25 or so, but I try to get something the person will really like and appreciate, not just a "token" gift (which is why actually *shopping* drives me nuts LOL). Handmade gifts are a different story - I think nothing of spending $50 on yarn for an afghan or sweater, plus the time it takes to make. ;-) I don't do much shopping online, really - just books if possible. But I don't buy for that many people, so it's really not necessary (there are about 10-11 people on my christmas gift list...that's it). When I do go to the stores, it's usually early Sat. morning or in the evenings...sometimes I'll take a half-day on a Friday or something to shop if need be, but I never shop the day after thanksgiving or those type days. I do shop after Christmas sales if I have the $$...normally they aren't too busy, and it's a great time to find stuff for next year. :-)

You all are wonderful. I thank you all so much for your suggestions and kindness in taking time to help me find recipes or posting them. The menu so far is roasted organic turkey (my favorite TG food), mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, cope's dried corn, whole cranberry sauce, stuffing balls, & gravy. I have decided to make cherry cheese cakes that use cream cheese, sour cream, eggs, sugar, and cherry topping. I will make a few more from the recipes you all shared when I have gone through them all. i was at a tea yesterday that my DD hosted and she made a wonderful raspberry baked oatmeal for me as everything else was loaded with gluten. The oatmeal was so delicious that I didn't feel the slightest bit tempted by the other items. Going GF has helped my digestion so much that it's worth the irritation of not being able to eat normally and it truly is getting easier. I've also lost twelve pounds since July so that is also an added benefit.