Letting go

Ina Garten's homemade cream of fresh tomato soup

Last year I went cuckoo-ca-choo with all my baking and cooking for people in my neighborhood. This year, I have no energy, desire, or motivation. You know how you give and give and give... and end up a bit empty/runnin' outta gas? That's how I feel this year.

Ina Garten's Macaroni and Cheese

So I'm simplifying. It's about my family this year.

I have a wise friend that told me recently that it's important to focus on the people who appreciate you, and you gifts/talents/presence.

This is where I wish those kindred friends who live afar... I wish were closer so I could feed them, to show how grateful I am for them. Please consider these pictures... what I would do for you, if we were nearer.

A twist on my friend CW's chicken pot pie. Her recipe is drool-worthy. It makes the Costco chicken pot pie taste like blech... and I adore Costco the store/company.

Yes. I know... I actually made dinners for people. It was utterly insane. Great fun though.

I'm not even mailing out Christmas letters. That is how awesome I am this year. Our Christmas greetings will solely include a blog post.

This year, the simplicity, the break, will do me wonders. Life is a constant ebb and flow of seasons. Last year was incredibly fun, but that was a season for going bananas. This year is my season to chill, and relax. So... I'm gonna be busy making it grand for my family, because if I don't, no one else will.

Cookies and cupcakes from Martha Stewart's cookies and cupcakes books.

Cheers!