Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Holidays, managed (part 3)

This may be the most important tip.

DSC_1409
{slow down}

Slow down and know when to quit. Some of us have trouble setting limits, which is how I managed to nearly chop off the tip of my finger a few seasons ago. Making cheesecake with an immersion blender sounds like an okay idea when it's 1 am and you're high on holiday music and feeling pressured.

Last year, I broke down and purchased frozen desserts from Trader Joe's when I was running low on time. And you know what? The world did not collapse. No one even blinked. And I got some extra sleep. Some of you are probably laughing right now but that was a huge step for me.

You don't have to do anything. Seriously. If you are stressed out by the thought of cooking the entire Thanksgiving meal, go order one. I give you permission. Or pick up Chinese food and call it a night. Just don't do it reluctantly. Whatever you decide to do, embrace it joyfully. The holidays are about you and your family and friends. When we lose our focus, it's hard to remember that. You should be doing things that work for you and make you happy (even forgoing celebrations altogether, if that's good for you), not worrying about how your efforts stack up against everyone else's.

And with that, I'm off to make a mess of my kitchen. Have a wonderful, fabulous Thanksgiving, everyone! I'll be back next week.

27 comments:

  1. Great advice! Happy Thanksgiving!

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  2. great advice...and somehow it calms me a bit as my family decided we were going out this year, with only me going "no"!!!!! i'm going to cook some dressing anyway over the weekend so i can feel okay about it all.

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  3. VERY timely post! :) thank you for sharing. i am a newlywed and have felt that 'pressure' to be a happy/amazing gourmet cook...but sometimes it's just better all around for me not to stress and save some time by going the easy route!

    have a GREAT thanksgiving!

    you are a wise woman!!

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  4. happy great big thanksgiving!

    xo
    kelly

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  5. Happy Thanksgiving! Slowing down right.now. Even in Paris.

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  6. all of this is so very true and it's nice to be reminded of what truly matters. have a wonderful thanksgiving. xoxo

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  7. Great tips and something to remember during these wonderful times! Happy Thanksgiving!

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  8. loving these reminders.

    thank-you!

    & happy thanksgiving. eat to your hearts content and feel as you should... BLESSED.

    xo micaela

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  9. Thanks for the reminder, we all need permission to slow down once in a while!

    http://heartandcrafts.blogspot.com/

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  10. I tend to run out of steam near the middle of the season and I have to just stop and clear my head before starting again. And you're right. Embrace it joyfully. Because what's Christmas without being joyful?

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  11. Hope you have a wonderful holiday too! The last few years, as us "kids" have become adults, we've turned Thanksgiving dinner into more of a group effort, and do as much as we can the night before. Its made my mom a MUCH happier person! :) And that way we learn all her trade secrets and have fun gossiping over the kitchen island while we work. I love it.

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  12. yum - i'd like the other half of that cookie!

    good advice and happy t'giving to you too!

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  13. This is funny because last night, very late, I finally agreed with my boyfriend that it would be healthier for everyone involved if I just bought the cranberry sauce.....

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  14. oooh i love this:

    Whatever you decide to do, embrace it joyfully

    exactly!

    happy thanksgiving friend.

    xo
    jos

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  15. thanks for that bit of awesome, wise rachel.
    i am embracing the evening.

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  16. mmm. amen to that. you're one wise girl, rachel!

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  17. So so true. Thanks for the reminder.

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  18. Yes, I agree. It is important to know when to stop so you can still enjoy the holiday (and although I have two pie pumpkins out back the pumpkin pie this year will be frozen from a store). Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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  19. I keep notes each Christmas- what I gave people, what I cooked, etc. Last year I made extra notes on things such as - don't bother with the Christmas cookies. This year I will heed my own advice! This series is fabulous. Please don't tell me Part 3 is it!!!!
    I hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful and relaxing.

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  20. Oh this is the perfect post for the upcoming holidays! I love what you said about "embracing it joyfully." Such good advice.

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  21. you are one caring, intuitive,talented and may i add smart cookie. xo kathi

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  22. Hello, I found your blog by chance and boy, am I loving it. I spent these few days reading your blog from the very first post and I must agree, you really do have a beautiful life! It's a joy to read and I love how your whole layout is so tidy and simple. Looking forward to more of your lovely posts. Have a nice day! :)

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  23. Love this and FULLY agree! I did some short cutting on Thanksgiving and am pleased with how relaxed and low key I was.

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  24. Stumbled across your blog via "First Milk" which I must visit regularly. For the first time in ten years, husband and I chose "not" to celebrate in traditional form. We shopped not, ate and drank what was on hand. It was, a pajama day watching the God Father trilogy and counting our blessings during commercials. Enjoying your blog... ~JD

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