When I'm cooking/baking, there are two parts of the process

[Nanuke]

7. Planning

I love the planning process. Looking at recipes, finding ideas for accompanying sides and extra touches such as relishes or sauces, and making shopping lists that involve usually multiple types of stores/markets.

For large meals/entertaining, I like to get out the right serving plates/bowls/utensils for the table and even putting temporary paper labels in each one. Love seeing my table set before company arrives. Occasionally, for holidays, I even take a photo of the set table that only I will see/enjoy later.

I hate putting my china/crystal/silver away the next day and washing the linens.