How To Holiday Shop with Ease & Giving Thanks

Don't worry, be Happy!  Just like my smiley pepper.

I have so much to be grateful for this year; I can't believe it was 18 months ago that I started writing this blog, time has flown by.  I could never have imagined I was going to make friends all over the world.  Friends whom I look forward to checking up on, staring aimlessly at their amazing creations, and feeling such sorrow and joy when they do.  I just wanted to let you know how grateful I am for all of you that have entered my life; you have added something to it that I didn't even know was missing.

I'm spending every extra minute this week getting ready for the holiday and I was hoping maybe a peek in at how I get ready, might help you with the crazy overwhelming tasks that come with the holidays.

People (I won't name names, but you know who you are) used to make jokes about the amount of things I like to try and get done.  Getting things done for me has nothing to do with excess time on my hands or being Type A or anything like that.

I like to be organized and make a plan and then write it down.

In order to make sure I don't have to go back over and over again (besides, that is what Hot Dog Dude is for) to the grocery store and get into a fist fight with someone over the last carton of heavy whipping cream. I like to make a list and categorize it by sections in the grocery store.  I'll have it in hand as I stroll up and down the aisles, checking off items as I throw them in the cart.  Maybe you noticed mine is not alphabetical; I like to live a little on the wild side.

A grocery list can be really easy to throw together if you write up a menu beforehand.  Then all you have to do is a quick rundown of the recipes in your mind and fill in the blanks.   Be sure and leave yourself a little wiggle run in your menu for a kitchen failure.  If that seem insurmountable, go for a ratio of half homemade and half pre-made. 

Keep your pantry well stocked with essentials, such as 8 different types of flours and 13 different types of sugars.  Please don't tell me I'm the only one who worries that I might need to make a dish that calls for all 8 of those flours at the same time.  Laugh if you want, but I'll be baking bread and whipping up cookies when that next big one hits, because I have all the items in my panty ready to go.

My sister-in-law watched my house one weekend and the first thing she told me when I returned was, "You label your panty"?  Doesn't everyone, I thought to myself.  I'm still scratching my head over that one.  Do you think my pantry is cause for alarm?  I did discuss it with my therapist and she wasn't overly concerned.

I guess this is just what works for me and keeps me from being stressed over the thought of preparing a huge meal with lots of components for a large crowd.  

That way the joyous time I like to have when company comes over doesn't hinge on having a meal that just about killed me to make.  I want to enjoy that we are all together and that we are all well and that we have smiles on our faces as we talk about what's been going on in our lives and where we hope to go in the future. The food is just icing on the proverbial cake.

Be kind to yourself and enjoy your family and friends this Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Gina

p.s.  If you are making a frozen bird this year and haven't started thawing it yet; quit reading this and run to the freezer and move it to the fridge.