The holidays are coming - Thanksgiving, Christmas and the New Year are just around the corner.

How would you like to come home after a busy day of shopping and have most of your meal already prepared? Or, perhaps you'd like to avoid staying up late or getting up early to prepare food for a special holiday?

The Hall County Cooperative Extension and the Hall County Library System will be offering two free programs that will teach you how to freeze for future use.

You'll receive a booklet giving specific freezing directions for common foods. Plus, you'll receive recipe ideas for make-ahead foods.

I will teach the class, and I promise that you'll have fun and receive lots of information to take home and use throughout the year.

The same program is available at three different times and locations. Preregistration is required.

• 1-2:30 p.m. Nov. 5 at the East Hall Library, 2435 Old Cornelia Highway, Gainesville; to register, call 770-532-3311, ext. 161 by Monday
• 10:30 a.m.-noon Nov. 6 at the Spout Springs Library, 6488 Spout Springs Road, Flowery Branch; to register, call 770-532-3311, ext. 191 by Monday
• 4-5:30 p.m. Nov. 20 at the Hall County Cooperative Extension office, 734 E. Crescent Drive, Gainesville; to register, call 770-5435-8290 by Nov. 18

Everyone will receive a handout on "Turkey 101." It is filled with everything you always wanted to know about buying, thawing, cooking, serving and storing your turkey.

Just imagine pulling a homemade dish out of the freezer and before you know it, a major part of the meal is done! You can have delicious, healthy meals, save money and spend less time in the kitchen.

Debbie Wilburn is county extension agent in family and consumer science with the Hall County Extension. Contact: 770-535-8290.