Catching up

Hello December!!! Time flies when you are having fun. Sorry I haven't kept in touch, its the middle of the selling season and between booking events, creating jams for the season, answering emails, filling orders, going to events and still pickling, canning, jarring and being a wife and mom well all I can say is I'm sorry. I promise to try a little harder to drop a line or two to let you know how and what I'm doing. I'll get back to me in a moment, but first, how are you doing? If I'm busy I know your busy as well. I mean work, school, kids, relationships, appointments I mean life in general must have you up and down and around and around. Please and I say this from the bottom of my heart, make time for yourself. If even for a moment, a walk, a cup of coffee, a glass of wine, or even a drive by yourself will help you to handle the stresses of day to day life. If all else fails....... And believe me I've done this before and it really helps, let out the the biggest scream.

The beginning of the holiday season has begun. We just finished Thanksgiving and I do hope it went fantastic for you all. For some, soon it will be Chanukah, for most, its Christmas, Dias de las Posadas, Yule, Kwanza, Tet, Dhawali and many other holiday celebrations during this time of the year. I wish you all nothing but peace, love, happiness, joy and success with you and your families this year and onward. Nothing fills my heart more than the closeness of friends and family; both young and old, gather to break bread and share fond memories of celebrations past.

Of course, that means if you're hosting you gotta have your A-game. A little advice, don't procrastinate. If you're like me, you want to show off your culinary skills not to mention, you home decor and want everything perfect the more time you have to survey, review, plan and execute your gathering the better. However sometimes, things happen, and you got a last minute get together you've decided to house well it doesn't mean that your gather won't be successful they will, you just have to put a little more of yourself last minute. Here are some tips I used when hosting last minute gatherings:

1. Where's the best place to have your gathering. Depending on the gathering, location may cause some of your guests to decline your invite. Also, sometimes you have the guest that just doesn't want to leave when the gathering has ended. Now this depends also on the amount of people you are inviting. If you're inviting more than 10 guests, then maybe a restaurant (casual or gourmet, depending on your budget) might be suitable. Contact the restaurant manager for assistance and reservations for your event. The plus side, someone else does the cooking and cleanup.

Now, maybe you are on a budget and a restaurant is not what you are looking for that's okay. you have other options. If need be your home, plan where you will have your guests gather and where food and drinks will be displayed. Draw it if you have to.

2. Keep it simple. As the say goes, " Simplicity is elegance." This is very true when hosting a gathering. One does not have to spend so much money in hosting a successful event and believe me, years before when it was last minute, I spent more than I needed to. Use what you have in and around your house. You need a table to seat 6 or 8 or 10 guests or even more??? I' m pretty sure you might have boards or boxes that can be stacked to make a Faux table. Chairs? Well mismatched to me looks shabby chic. Tablecloth? Try using bedding. Not enough glasses? Mason jars. Use your imagination and buy what is really necessary. Same is true with the food you plan to serve your guests. I should have put it on as a tip, but I figured just to add it on here. Look to see what you already have and plan your meal accordingly.

3. Keep it Light. Now this may not apply if you are hosting a family gathering with all the family then again, if family will be hopping from one house to another then you could consider this method. But, I strongly suggest this tip. Again, make it easy on yourself. A successful even it where the host or hostess is talking and gathering with family and friends and not in the kitchen huffing and puffing completely stressed out. Not to mention the clean up afterward. Once you have determined the time the event will take place, Plan your light meal accordingly. Example, if weather permits and you just so happen to have one, making homemade pizza in the back yard with wine and salad. Maybe grilled appetizers, Or even a big bowl of chili with corn bread and crackers or even put some Frito Lays to make cowboy salad. If you're feeling a little more frufru (my term for fancy) maybe a light exotic dish paired with a beverage suitable with the meal. Remember though, don't go overboard keep it easy.

4. Take the help. This one I cannot stress this enough. Often times in the past I would get so angry at myself for not taking the help when it was offered. To save yourself from regret later if anything please listen to me when I say, " If someone asks if you need help, TAKE IT!!" If someone or multiple people want to help you the better. Can I bring something? Yes! Can I help you set up? Yes! Can I help pick up? Yes ! Can I Help......? YES!!!! It helps you with time, money and most important, stress.

5. Enjoy yourself. Enjoy the moment. I will tell you from experience whether firsthand or witnessed, things happen. It's going to happen; I was a book club gathering one time, A BOOKCLUB GATHERING???? WHAT COULD POSSIBLY HAPPEN? The hostess's dog was let loose by the husband because he was being spiteful. Well, there was more to it but that's for another time, anyway, there was a mess, and she was upset, the mood was not good. However, once the spill was picked up and continued on then I think the rest of the night would have gone on with no other hitches. If things happen just, try to fix them and move on. Now keep in mind, us common sense. I know I said earlier use what you have around your house. But, if you a going to use plates that were given to you as a wedding present from a family member, or something of value (monetary or sentimental), then maybe it's not a good idea to use them, Be preactive, be prepared, be quick, and carry on. Don't sweat the small stuff. AND SMILE!!!!!!! have fun and take a lot of pictures.

Well, I hope this advice helps you all. Oh, look at the time, I have to get ready for my next shows this weekend. I hope you have a fantastic rest of the week, month, holiday season. Remember to check my calendar for any upcoming events near you. I am trying hard to venture out further so please be patient. You know, I have had some email me to ship them some of my jams and jellies to Nova Scotia. They bought some from me when they were here, and they saw me in one of my events. I'm pretty excited about that. Oh yeah, I almost forgot, dont forget about the raffle. I got the baskets made up. I hope you have entered for your change to win one of two baskets. Also, keep a look out, at any time, I may go on vacation and would want to to a FLASH SALE WHERE THE ITEMS ARE 50% OFF!!!!

Take care all!