“If you have learned nothing from this list, I hope you get this one
part. A little planning NOW, saves a lot of time LATER! AND ENERGY!” - FlyLady
Dear Friends,
Have you started planning your Thanksgiving Holiday Dinner? Do you
know the menu? Have you bought the needed groceries? Have you made out
a to-do list? If you sit down for 30 minutes and seriously think about
the process, you life will have less stress. I am going to walk you
through the planning process.
- What are your plans?
- Am I cooking or going to another family’s house?
- If you are going to someone else's home, do you need to bring
something?
- If you have to cook, what is on the menu? Traditional dishes, or
something different and new to the family. Do members of your family
have their favorite dishes?
- Don't forget the rolls!
- Don't forget dessert!
If you are like me, cooking a holiday dinner really zaps your energy.
There is a way to cook this meal and still enjoy the family. I am
going to tell you how in step-by-step instruction. This plan worked
for my Thanksgiving celebration two years ago. This was the first time I
ever tried this method. I well never do another holiday meal without
this plan.
Here is what I did first:
- Made sure the house was clean and kept ready for company while I cooked.
- Got my dishes ready for the table several days ahead of time.
Get out your table cloths and center piece. Have you thought about a center piece
yet? Silverware and serving dishes too? Make sure they are all clean
ready for the table. Either set the table, (if you do not have to use
it or put the dishes aside for the time being on a clean counter and
cover with a dish towel. I have a cat. LOL I also cover the whole
table if set with a clean sheet. The table is set and I don't have to
worry about it anymore. I even have time to fold napkins and do cutesy
stuff to the table. Because I am not rushed. It's a Martha S. Moment.
LOL
- Make out your menu for the dinner. Examine your recipes and pick
your family favorites. Also try one new thing. Surprises are
always nice. Could become a new family tradition. Pick out some
things that can be made ahead of time and put into the refrigerator until time
to cook or serve. Some salads need to be made a day or two ahead of
time, so that the flavors meld.
- Make out a grocery list. Check the recipes for items you have on
hand and list the ones you need to buy. Think of everything you will
need. From egg dye to candy, beverages to desserts. What is the main
dish?
- Clean out your refrigerator. Really good. Make room for covered dishes.
- Go shopping early in the day or the day before you start to cook.
- TODAY! Make an appointment calendar for your cooking. Especially for
the day you are serving the dinner. You can't have everything in the
oven at once. So plan on what needs to go in the oven and stagger it
according to how long they need to cook or can they cook together if
you have room. This is when I would love to have 2 ovens.
- At the top of this appointment calendar, write: Only prepare ONE
DISH at a time. Set a time for each particular item on the menu.
Follow this schedule, allowing plenty of time to clean up after preparing
each item. Don't forget to thaw the turkey or ham. LOL Write it on
your list.
- Cook or prepare something each day for 3 days. If you divide the
work out over 3 days, you will have time to plan something fun with
the kids and you will have the energy to do it. You can do dessert and many salads
early. Throw together casseroles. Pick items for your menus
that allow you to make ahead. This way you are only popping in the
oven and setting it on the table.
- When you start to cook, make sure the dishwasher and sinks
are empty. Run hot soapy water in the sink, so you can clean up as you
go. Remember to only prepare one item at a time and clean up after
yourself as you go. DO NOT START A NEW PREPARATION UNTIL THE MESS IS
CLEANED UP FROM THE PREVIOUS DISH. I MEAN THIS. I can hear you know.
"Oh I can do two things at once." Do you remember how overwhelmed you
get and the feeling from turning around in circles in your kitchen
floor because you don't know what to do next. Focus on one item at a
time. This relieves all the stress. I promise. Your kitchen will be
clean too. That is the biggest stress reliever.
- Don't forget the rolls. This is a family tradition in our home.
Someone always forgets the bread. LOL So from now on, I buy the frozen
roll dough at the grocery store. It is wonderful. All you do is read
the directions. They are on the back. LOL and put them in the pan to
rise 3 hours before your meal. Put this on your schedule. 3 to 4 hours
ahead of meal time. They have to rise and then be cooked. READ. But
they are great. Everyone thinks they were made from scratch. A new family tradition. LOL
- Give everything a time on the calendar. But if you don't look at
it, you won't follow your plan. Take your calendar or notebook with
the schedule written on it and Put it on the refrigerator or on the counter.
Look at it every hour. It has your next few days planned out. Guess
what? You don't even have to think now, you just have to read, the
thinking has already been done. Keep your recipe with this notebook
too.
One word of warning: Do not let your sink become a catch-all. Put
everything away as you use it and wash up all your dishes. Then you
can start the next preparation.
If you want to have a wonderful family celebration, the hostess does
not need to be exhausted and at her wits end. You can do this. If I
can, anyone can.
One other thing: get dressed in a nice jumper and put on an apron
while you cook. I don't know why, but I always feel so festive when I
cook with an apron on. Have your hair fixed and your face looking good
too. No sense scaring the guests.
Holiday celebrations are special memories for your children and
family. Make them memorable, in a way that only you can do. You are
blessing your family with your efforts. Don't be a Martyr. Enjoy and
love every moment of the preparation.
Wishing you all the joy and happiness that Thanksgiving brings.
This is my favorite holiday!
FlyLady
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