They look perfect!
Assuming they're similar to making hash browns, I agree the prep is a lot of work. I just bought frozen hash browns today for our Christmas brunch. For a minute I thought about making them from scratch and figured that's the last thing I want to do on Christmas morning.

Tonight - oven roasted bratwurst, sauerkraut, and crispy skillet potatoes. A beer would go so well, but I'm going to have too many of those Belgian suckers tomorrow at a friend's house. So either wine or perhaps I'll make Wisconsin-style old fashioneds.