This happy recovering procrastinator is SO thankful! Our four children were here – two plus two spouses – and we had a wonderful time Wednesday night-Friday afternoon! Last year you ladies helped me with Thanksgiving because I felt accountable to you to practice what I was learning. For the first time ever I was ready. This year, I wanted to do what needed doing when it needed doing – earlier. Sure enough – even less pressure and more fun! Thank you!
Capsulizing what I learned this time, I see D-E-A-F. DEAF helped me turn a deaf ear to those mental demands for perfect performance – by me or anybody else. DEAF made me alert to walking free.
D – Do ahead. I completed menus and shopping the week before, began cooking Monday. I like things to be freshly prepared – but I’m getting over that. I even made the mashed potatoes ahead and warmed them. Yummy! For two dishes, I prepped and bagged the ingredients. I decided what to wear (for 3 days) to avoid indecision later. We asked a neighbor to come over and take pictures.
For future do aheads, during the year I plan to try freezing some recipes, try healthier versions, and purchase a Thanksgiving journal to use as Lynn mentioned in her comment last week.
E – Enjoy! Encouraging Expectations (November 15, 2015) gave me a light heart. I felt so little pressure it was easy to relax and laugh a lot. I even sat with everybody else watching the parade! Since I didn’t have to hurry while working, the kitchen was a more pleasant gathering spot than usual. I was able to go for a walk, play a game, talk.
A – Admire God. This wording adds to my worship and celebration. Besides the biggie that we were all together, there were “smaller” things for which to be grateful. Among them: staggered arrival times allowed focused visits, I went to bed at decent times the nights before (unlike last year), gracious willingness to pose for pictures with little warning, silly fun, serious talk, etc.
F – Flex. Some dishes did not turn out as I’d hoped, but I did NOT make them again. (They were gobbled up.) The men decided we should hook up a tablet with art app so we could see our Pictionary drawings on the TV screen. Cool! (Technology did not take over!) Son requested waffles so I scrapped my plan for our traditional breakfast and made waffles. Daughter asked that I omit a salad and serve raw veggies. Easy. I forgot the pumpkin pie – again – so put it in during lunch and it was ready when we were. I had bad hair, broken nails, and a happy heart.
Huge praise: Separately, both children commented on my calmness and readiness! They noticed! Praise the Lord for His work! Doing what needs doing when it needs doing relieves stress, brings peace and joy.
What lessons would you like to pass on to us this year?
It sounds like a wonderful visit! Praises!
I am wondering if you hire out for weddings… 🙂
Actually, I ‘m a pretty good wedding worker bee! But not for hire – maybe lunch!
Thankful for so many answers to prayer & blessings. Know it was a sweet time. Ours was also relaxed & good. Praise the Lord!
It’s nice to relax after all the preparations. Leftovers are deeeelightful!
What a delightful family time you had! Your children’s comments were the result of your DEAF and desire to walk free.
We had friends over for dinner in the afternoon and we divided the menu. I decided to make and partially cooked my dishes the day before. My brother was visiting so I popped the turkey in the oven early and we headed out to the zoo. It was so relaxing. The zoo was not crowded and the animals were out! When we got home, there was plenty of time to finish before our friends arrived. The casseroles were just as good as if they had been made that morning and I treasure the time I had with Jim.
Thanks for your encouragement!!
So glad you had such a good day! You, family, and friends were ABLE to enjoy each other!