The holidays always seem to derail our routines and reset our priorities.  At least that is the way it works for me.  I was faithfully working on the 52 Project, recording my progress every day, when I was distracted by Christmas lights, decorated cookies, and one gathering after another. Now that 2016 is here, I am determined to get back on track. I shouldn’t feel too discouraged because while some items on my list fell to the wayside, others benefited from the holiday season.

#10: Feed 52 People Around My Table

In 2014, I had my kitchen renovated and a large dining room added on.  Scott and I had been planning the work and I decided to go ahead with the project on my own. The end result surpassed my expectations and I finally had an area where I could feed my whole family comfortably.  I envisioned having frequent dinner guests and being a welcoming hostess.  But there were a few little problems with that vision.  I’m an introvert.  I am not comfortable cooking in front of others.   My house is never clean enough or it never seems like just the right time.  So, although I have great intentions, I never seem to invite people over.  And I regret that. Hence, item #10 on the list.

Going into Thanksgiving week, I was up to 11 friends and family that had partaken of meals around my table.  Thanksgiving and Christmas have passed and the number of people who have been fed in my house is at 45.  Seven more to go and I’ll be at 52.  It’s paying off as I’m getting more comfortable with having dinner guests.  And I’ve learned a few things that I bet most of you already knew:

1. RELAX. The guests are coming to eat and visit.  They are not coming to inspect my floors or be amazed at the collection of dust bunnies on the bookcases.

2.  ACCEPT HELP.  I don’t have to make the whole meal.  Christmas breakfast has always been one of the traditional meals I make for my family.  This year, Patrick offered to take care of the main dish, the eggs.  He brought an incredible quiche that melted in the mouth. And I was able to relax and try a recipe for vegan cinnamon rolls.  And guess what? Sometimes the best thing you can do is let someone do the dishes.  It doesn’t mean you are a bad hostess.

3. IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE FANCY.  Because my kids had places to go this year, we had our ‘tree’ on the Monday night before Christmas.  Juggling all our dietary needs, I settled on providing an enchilada bar so that people could select the fillings of their choice. As the evening grew closer and I was trying to get gifts wrapped and the house picked up, I realized that was just too much for me to do after a full day’s work and before the clan arrived.  So, I decided to do spaghetti with sauce from a jar (Thank you, Paul Newman!), and good bread.  Pat and Margaret provided the salad while Dana and Jeremy brought dessert.  Simple and filling.  And the approval rating was 100%.

4. DON’T PUT IT OFF, DON’T MAKE A BIG DEAL OF IT. I worry.  I fret.  But when the guests actually arrive and I relax and enjoy them, It’s all worth while.  Not every meal is perfect, the plates don’t match, but the company is good and the laughter & conversations are priceless gifts.

Now it’s time to get back to the other 51 goals on my list!