Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Forced casual: The Hostess learns to suck it up



Okay. Okay. I do not adapt well to a lack of formality. Do not ask me why, I think I get it from my Dad. He never approached the kitchen in the morning at any hour without having showered, shaved, and dressed in pressed clothing. Never. And that was just for starters.



When I go away, say, to ski and the cupboards are bare of all serving items I deem necessary on a desert island even for serving heathens, maybe I have a little break with my perfectly resolute state of internal calm (huh.).



Over New Year's 2010, I was pleased (forced) to accept that roasting pans would be used as serving vessels, plates as platters, and any number of other things would occur on the tabletop which I try to tolerate mention of when I receive letters about "letting go" of my "rules" here at the Hostess.



So, here you go, I did what I could to let go, while still preparing all the food, and did not once wish it was a bit different.



Altogether, a fabulous holiday with a ton of people I adore, 14" of powder, one new two-year-old skier, one car that did not make it out of the valley in the blizzard, and love, tons of love.

7 comments:

Blue said...

There are standards that must be kept up and a pretty chopping board could do double duty as a platter. At least you did not mention having to use paper napkins.

P.Gaye Tapp at Little Augury said...

You've got it! Pass the love. GT

Mrs. Blandings said...

Our Florida set ups are often the same - lots of Cornell. No one notices but me and I .... get over it. Looks like a great trip.

Karena said...

I know this was not your style, however all friends and family really care about is being together. The food looks delish!

Jo said...

Yes, I am learning to let a few things go as well ~ not without a few deep breaths and perhaps an extra glass of wine.

Sounds like a lovely holiday filled with family and fun.

Jo

James said...

Your father had a good rule , I always believe shirt and shave before you come down. I'm glad you had snow and love!

home before dark said...

One of the last times my step mother-in-law was at my holiday table, she (the granddaughter of a former governor who had a thing or two to say about formality) said, "You know, you don't have to go to all this work just for us." Help me dear BH, I did not think and simply said the truth, "I don't do it for you, I do it for me." She was appalled at my lack of discretion with her. Out of the mouths of tired hostesses sometimes a great truth is shared.