What a beautiful reminder, especially for this time of year! I like the phrase experience efficiency - and really should practice it more. Like your husband, mine is also better at this than I am, lol!
A few years ago, I realized that I only have a couple of hours of emotional energy to give when I’m around a lot of people. I do much better one-on-one, I think it might be an introvert thing. But having a whole pizza is never ill-advised, ahah (not the Italian-sized pizza, at least).
Ha! My husband would absolutely agree with you Giovanna 😂.
Although my introvert friends will say that an energy sap is a constant danger I think we extroverts also expend way more than we realize and need to pay attention to how much energy we really have. The struggle is real!
Oh my gosh Elizabeth. I need to apply this principle to my whole life. Not just December!! Such a beautiful, well written post. As always!
On a side note, did you see the young American chap who bit into a Terry's Chocolate Orange like an apple, and then was confused when the segments crumbled apart? Thankfully, he found our British insults amusing when we asked him what on EARTH did he think he was doing?!!! I don't go on Instagram much these days, but that reel had me in stitches.
Me too! This one seems to have really resonated. I appreciate your readership. I also appreciate all of your recent posts and all the recipes you’ve made available from the archives. I just want to be in the kitchen baking 🥰
I will have to look up that reel—that sounds hilarious!
Every holiday season for as long as I've been an adult has seen me tumble into January with pure relief that it's over. January was my favorite month because nothing happens in January. Some of this was just the time of life I was in. When you have young children and a life of your own to manage at the same time there's just a lot to attend to and no getting around it. But, I also feel like I've been on a journey for a while now of releasing myself from obligations. Most of which are self-imposed. And this December has been downright relaxing. I'm not even trying to do all the things. And, the sky hasn't fallen. What's more, we are not showing up to the things we choose to go to exhausted from the start. We show up bright and cheerful and full of energy. It's great.
Just this morning I read this, "There’s no prize for failing to spend your time as you wish." Do all the things, or don't. Leave early or stay late. Do what you will because it's what you will, not because you feel obligated to do so. This is my goal now, if you can call it a goal. Humans are funny, aren't we? We make up the rules and then have to give ourselves permission to break them. Loved this, as always, Elizabeth. You somehow always know how to write the thing I most want to read.
This one has definitely struck a nerve. I’m especially mindful of this as I’ve had to step away from my regular routine as I recover. I’m coming to recognize that journey of slowly releasing the self-imposed obligations and realizing… everything is actually okay.
I’m really glad these words resonated. It feels good to be thinking about these things alongside you 💕
I have several Richard Sax cookbooks, and Classic Home Desserts is my favorite! I haven’t made the Chocolate Cloud cake in years, but think it’s lovely too. This is the perfect reminder to make it again! ☺️
I loved/love Terry’s chocolate orange. It makes me smile remembering them. Now to parties, time, energy and joy. I’m so with you on this Elizabeth, well actually it’s Richard I’m with.
I’m generally happy to be the first to leave, and would never be the last to leave unless someone died. Then I’d stay back to help.
Thank you for the perfect permission to leave early 😘 Now the big decision— will this cake be the finishing flourish for Rachel Seghesio’s Bechamel Lasagna on Christmas Eve! Or for Julia Childs’ Wellington on Christmas Day?
What a beautiful reminder, especially for this time of year! I like the phrase experience efficiency - and really should practice it more. Like your husband, mine is also better at this than I am, lol!
We want to do it all, don’t we?? I hope the holidays bring you everything that makes you happy, Betty 💕
Thank you, Elizabeth! And you, too 💞
A few years ago, I realized that I only have a couple of hours of emotional energy to give when I’m around a lot of people. I do much better one-on-one, I think it might be an introvert thing. But having a whole pizza is never ill-advised, ahah (not the Italian-sized pizza, at least).
Ha! My husband would absolutely agree with you Giovanna 😂.
Although my introvert friends will say that an energy sap is a constant danger I think we extroverts also expend way more than we realize and need to pay attention to how much energy we really have. The struggle is real!
I’ve grow to realize that when I leave a party early, no one notices as much as I worry they do…
That is so true!
Oh my gosh Elizabeth. I need to apply this principle to my whole life. Not just December!! Such a beautiful, well written post. As always!
On a side note, did you see the young American chap who bit into a Terry's Chocolate Orange like an apple, and then was confused when the segments crumbled apart? Thankfully, he found our British insults amusing when we asked him what on EARTH did he think he was doing?!!! I don't go on Instagram much these days, but that reel had me in stitches.
Me too! This one seems to have really resonated. I appreciate your readership. I also appreciate all of your recent posts and all the recipes you’ve made available from the archives. I just want to be in the kitchen baking 🥰
I will have to look up that reel—that sounds hilarious!
Every holiday season for as long as I've been an adult has seen me tumble into January with pure relief that it's over. January was my favorite month because nothing happens in January. Some of this was just the time of life I was in. When you have young children and a life of your own to manage at the same time there's just a lot to attend to and no getting around it. But, I also feel like I've been on a journey for a while now of releasing myself from obligations. Most of which are self-imposed. And this December has been downright relaxing. I'm not even trying to do all the things. And, the sky hasn't fallen. What's more, we are not showing up to the things we choose to go to exhausted from the start. We show up bright and cheerful and full of energy. It's great.
Just this morning I read this, "There’s no prize for failing to spend your time as you wish." Do all the things, or don't. Leave early or stay late. Do what you will because it's what you will, not because you feel obligated to do so. This is my goal now, if you can call it a goal. Humans are funny, aren't we? We make up the rules and then have to give ourselves permission to break them. Loved this, as always, Elizabeth. You somehow always know how to write the thing I most want to read.
This one has definitely struck a nerve. I’m especially mindful of this as I’ve had to step away from my regular routine as I recover. I’m coming to recognize that journey of slowly releasing the self-imposed obligations and realizing… everything is actually okay.
I’m really glad these words resonated. It feels good to be thinking about these things alongside you 💕
I have several Richard Sax cookbooks, and Classic Home Desserts is my favorite! I haven’t made the Chocolate Cloud cake in years, but think it’s lovely too. This is the perfect reminder to make it again! ☺️
I’m glad I put it back on your radar; it’s really delicious!
I’ve not made it before—a friend recently recommended the recipe to me. Now I need to get the cookbook 😊. Very tragic that he died so young.
Yes, very sad—he was so talented!
There’s a lot of EQ ( emotional intelligence) packed into this post - bravo for scripting a dilemma we all face
Thank you Ellen. I always appreciate your readership and perspective 💕
Such a lovely message, Elizabeth. Presence is the gift!
Thank you Michelle! It’s never an easy process but always so worthwhile 💕
Wonderful reflections, Elizabeth!
Thank you Lolly! A good reminder for me to stay present amidst the chaos 😊
We all need reminders like this year round. Love 🥰
I loved/love Terry’s chocolate orange. It makes me smile remembering them. Now to parties, time, energy and joy. I’m so with you on this Elizabeth, well actually it’s Richard I’m with.
I’m generally happy to be the first to leave, and would never be the last to leave unless someone died. Then I’d stay back to help.
I don’t doubt it on both counts Lisa! You strike me as someone who is efficient in everything you do—in the best possible way 💕
Relaxing and being open to possibilities makes most sense. Most of us live structured lives and now is the time to enjoy whatever comes our way..
Or at least try to!
Absolutely. No pressure either way.
You are lovely Amela.
So kind of you to say that.
Thank you for the perfect permission to leave early 😘 Now the big decision— will this cake be the finishing flourish for Rachel Seghesio’s Bechamel Lasagna on Christmas Eve! Or for Julia Childs’ Wellington on Christmas Day?
Wow—what time is dinner? 🥰
Whatever you choose I can guarantee you’ll have it on repeat, especially if you have as many chocolate lovers in your life as I do!
Great dispatch this week Elizabeth. I want to try that recipe!!
It's a winner!