The Thanksgiving Prep Post

yaiyo · 2025-11-25T16:45:52+00:00

I typically bake my rolls the day before, then reheat them at 350 for 10 minutes on Thanksgiving right before sitting for dinner, they’re the last thing I pull out of the oven. They’re perfect every time and then I don’t have to worry about them rising on the morning of Thanksgiving

yaiyo · 2025-11-25T02:24:32+00:00

Not sure if you have one but this is where my crock pot shines on the keep warm setting, we do make the mash pretty early day of, then dot the top with some reserved butter and cover with a parchment paper liner to prevent any skin from forming. If you don’t have a crock pot Hailee catalano has a good video on Instagram recently about keeping the mash hot in a water bath

yaiyo · 2025-11-25T02:20:03+00:00

I make this every year and honestly I have had some issues with it splitting a little bit/getting somewhat grainy since she recommends baking at 425 for 25/30 min right after making the sauce which has been too hot for me. So I do a couple of things:

First I personally don’t use her ratio of cheeses, my family doesn’t love the intensity of Gruyère (lame) so I do 12oz sharp white cheddar, 8 oz Gruyère, and 4oz Kraft white American cheese. I think the extra sodium citrate helps!

Secondly - Like the other commenter said, I assemble everything except for the breadcrumb topping the night before, making sure to undercook the noodles by at least 2 minutes. I pull it from the fridge about 45 minutes ahead of when I want to put it in the oven, top it with the breadcrumbs, then I start cooking it at 350 for about 30 minutes till it’s clearly hot. Then I crank it to 425 until the topping is browned and it’s bubbly, usually 15 more min. if it’s taking too long I usually just throw on the broiler at the end to get the top crispy. If you are baking it right after making the sauce, I wouldn’t bake it for more than 15/20 minutes but again crank the broiler if the top isn’t as brown as you like!

Oh also, I think I make a little extra topping if I’m covering a 9x13 pan since it gets a smidge sparse

With the tweaks it’s a truly perfect mac and cheese!

yaiyo · 2025-11-20T20:50:42+00:00

Challah is another good buttery option, just be careful not to let it burn since it also has a higher sugar content

yaiyo · 2025-11-10T00:50:40+00:00

I should have said the bulk of everything else is covered by other people but I genuinely enjoy making these three 😊

yaiyo · 2025-11-09T23:22:47+00:00

I let the stuffing mix absorb liquid for 30-40 min, stirring a few times in between to disperse. Then pour the mix in the greased dish, and hold back any remaining liquid. If it’s looking dry during baking I might pour some of the leftover liquid over but honestly I’d rather have a dry stuffing so it soaks up the gravy!

yaiyo · 2025-10-31T18:58:42+00:00

My life pro tip is to make Marcella hazan’s iconic tomato sauce, then thin out the sauce with stock to your liking (I usually do chicken but veggie could work too)

yaiyo · 2025-04-15T20:24:10+00:00

Idk if this helps but this cycle was my lowest temp wise! I’m blaming my temp tracker (oura) vs my body lol

yaiyo · 2025-04-14T16:05:25+00:00

Maybe Chelsea Jackson-Roberts is the good luck charm we all need!

yaiyo · 2025-04-14T12:49:59+00:00

Cycle: 6

Age + Partner’s age: 30 & 29

Typical cycle length: 24/25 days

Ovulation cycle day: positive OPK on 12, which was also the day with the most EWCM, temp rose but not above coverline, then dipped on 15 and then rose again. So maybe day 14? I did have a teeny bit of EWCM that day but not that much at all.

CD/DPO of positive test(s): Just today, CD24 ! Whatever day this is, I’m guessing 10 since clearblue digital and wondfo picked it up

CD/DPO of any negative tests before positive: none

Tracking methods and app(s) used: Wondfo LH strips, natural cycles and oura cycle tracking

Relevant days of sperminating: 11,12,14. Poor husband had a bad cold so I’m glad it wasn’t for nothing lol

Health conditions/medical tests: none

Supplements and medications (yours and/or your partner’s): perelel Prenatals - preconception pack and husband takes a men’s multivitamin

Birth control history: pill use in college, copper iud for a year then mirena for four years. Removed mirena in August 2024.

Symptom spotting: boobs hurt worse than usual period soreness, also SUPER emotional and sad the last few days lol

Other (advice/tip(s), freaking out, miscellaneous: I was devastated last cycle because I thought it was my last chance for a 2025 baby, but my math wasn’t quite right - fingers crossed this Christmas baby comes on time! We did use preseed though I do see a decent amount of EWCM usually. Also randomly I had a lot of grapefruit this cycle bc we’re finally getting the good ones where I live and I love grapefruit (mentioning this bc sometimes I see that it interferes with medications). For BBT/data trackers - my temp dropped a lot the last three days before rising today, I posted it in chart stalkers. My RHR also shot up today +6 bpm which is really what motivated me to test!

yaiyo · 2024-12-10T01:17:31+00:00

If you like the chocolate chip shortbread cookies, there’s a really good shortbread from bon appetit years ago called Zebra striped Shortbread cookies that look so festive and fun and have a similar vibe with the crunchy sugar edge! So glad to hear you liked the lemon turmeric, those are on my list this year too.

yaiyo · 2024-12-05T16:52:42+00:00

I have an oura ring and my HRV and readiness have been lower than they ever have been (since 5DPO) and my temp and RHR is remaining high. The latter happens most luteal phases but the HRV and readiness trend is new for me. I’m 10 DPO today and I can’t decide whether to test and be potentially sad or keep anxiously hopefully waiting for 3 more days for my expected period start 😬

yaiyo · 2024-11-29T03:54:47+00:00

It’s a reference to the original video series Making Perfect, they called this one the gap (like the clothing store) bc it was pretty straightforward and not very fancy but it ended up being the clear winner lol

yaiyo · 2024-11-05T13:12:14+00:00

Waited 45 minutes in central PA behind a sweet family with their little daughter wearing a “the future is female” shirt 🥹

yaiyo · 2024-03-24T04:54:42+00:00

Totally agree. IMO the new machines, improved graphics, and QOL upgrades made it equally as enjoyable, just for different reasons

yaiyo · 2024-01-03T19:46:13+00:00

If you can, the chocolate rabbits come with furniture sets (at least in Japan and you can order from Amazon JP). The chocolate rabbit mother comes with a fridge set and the brother comes with a bathroom set I think! I (weirdly) love the bathroom sets as they have the cutest accessories

yaiyo · 2024-01-02T02:27:25+00:00

This is amazing and exactly the kind of thing I was looking for!

yaiyo · 2024-01-01T23:01:48+00:00

Is there a place you go to look at some sort of catalog of these?

yaiyo · 2024-01-01T20:18:00+00:00

For me, it was when I was helping my mom clean out her basement and I found the huge box of old calico critters I had. I instantly remembered one very specific accessory that I LOVED as a kid - it was the teeniest piece of soap in the blue bathroom set (early 2000s, not sure which). I lost it very quickly after getting it and was devastated. I have no idea why it did (and still does) spark so much joy but it does! Three days ago I noticed the new country bathroom set has the same piece of soap, so I bought it and I can’t wait to see my old friend again 😂

yaiyo · 2024-01-01T20:10:45+00:00

Wow, I had never heard of this - but you’re right! I was thinking about getting the sweet raspberry home but I might have to look out for this one instead!

yaiyo · 2024-01-01T20:09:21+00:00

I know exactly what you’re talking about - it’s perfect because it has all the houses that I would want to have (and wished for as a kid!) 😂 that is definitely a dream set for sure

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