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| My Neighbors' Rosehips |
Suggestions by Robin
Here in the northern hemisphere, the winter solstice arrives
this Saturday. Christmas will be here in a week, followed by the last week of
the year and New Year’s. It’s a magical time of year, when days are short and
hearts are bright. It’s a time to share food and fun with friends and family, a
time when charity towards others is easy—ideally speaking. But what if we’re
stressed, overwhelmed, and can’t balance our obligations? What if we’re estranged
from our families? And OMG, what if we’re working retail? How can we best enjoy
the holiday season as it builds inexorably to its conclusion?
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| Wintery Ivy |
First of all, ask yourself what you enjoy most about this
time of year. Then take as many opportunities as you can to enjoy whatever that
is. What I like best is the lights. I make a point of driving by some houses
that are lit up every year, or go on mini-excursions in search of displays. I
walk around the neighborhood every couple of days to see who’s lit. Perhaps you
like the music (my second fave), a special Christmas decoration, certain people
that you see once a year, a particular cookie or traditional treat, your
Christmas tree, or the seasonal parties. Whatever they are, find ways to
maximize your enjoyment of your favorites. Make it your priority to find them,
do them, enjoy them.
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| Ornamental Pumpkins: Recipes TBA Soon |
And what about those aspects of the Christmas season that we
don’t like? Whenever thoughts of the unwanted come up, stop and ask yourself
“What DO I want?” Focus on what you want, not what is painful, as you plan your
course of action. Sometimes this is easy, like if you choose to walk out of a
store that’s playing a carol that you can’t stand. It’s harder if others are
involved. For example, if you’d like a “normal” family Christmas, you won’t be
able to force others to change. However, wanting a Christmas where you feel
good is feasible. Perhaps you can brainstorm (alone or with others) about
changing up the routine, say no to an obligation that’s not fun, or distract
yourself by focusing on getting more of what you enjoy most about Christmas.
Your happiness is important, and obligation is never reason enough to do anything.
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| My Rosemary Sporting Solar Net Lights |
Okay, this was supposed to be about Christmas season foods
and menu suggestions. Sometimes the posts just write themselves. On to the
food! Everyone has traditional foods that they enjoy over the holidays, so
please leave a comment and let us know your favorites. Best wishes for a happy
Christmas season. Get out there and create the Christmas experiences that you
like best.
Christmas/Holiday
Potluck Ideas for Hosts & Guests
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