A Simple December
Filled with easy recipes and holiday reading recommendations
Hello, and Happy Holidays!
The holiday spirit has been late to arrive this year but it’s slowly tip-toeing in. Some years I have to nudge magical holidays feelings into existence; it doesn’t come as easily as it did when I was a kid. I often blame this on the excessively sunny climate that I live in and lack of cozy or bracing winter activities, but I know it’s more than that. Each year, though, I get a little better at accepting less magic and exuberance around the holidays and intentionally embracing the quieter moments.
Like a cup of coffee next to the tree in the morning. A walk with my kids in the park. A small, last minute winter solstice get together with friends we’ve seen far too little this year. A few simple baking projects, a stack of winter-themed books, an hour on the living room rug with my girls drawing and doodling holiday zentangles.
I’m also taking good advice from The Lazy Genius podcast, which reminded me this week that Wonder Shows Up When You Slow Down. After running a few quick, last minute errands this morning I have officially entered the “if it’s not done by now, it’s not getting done” phase of Christmas. It’s time to move out of “prep mode” and into enjoyment mode!
Simple Holiday Recipes
I’m 100% in favor of less cooking this year and more relaxing. Below are a few simple recipes that you can still pull off before or after the holidays with a quick trip to the grocery store and just a little bit of effort in the kitchen.
On Christmas Eve we always celebrate with appetizers instead of a full meal, which makes food prep easier. Plus, who doesn’t love a massive cheese plate, smoked salmon, veggies + dip and frozen tempura shrimp from Costco?
On Christmas Day, we’re sharing a potluck dinner with friends who are making lasagna. We’re bringing either this kale salad with creamy dressing & pistachios or this one without the Brussels added.
SIMPLE, COZY MEALS
❄️ Instant Pot Beef Stew, from my blog
❄️ Instant Pot Pork Shoulder, from my blog
❄️ Easiest Spinach Lasagna from Julia Turshen
❄️ Swedish Meatballs from Olivia Mack McCool
FAVORITE SIMPLE HOLIDAY TREATS
❄️ Russian Tea Cake Cookies, from Smitten Kitchen
❄️ Perfect Homemade Hot Chocolate, from Alison Roman
❄️ Josie’s Cinnamon Sugar Pecans
Last night before we watched A Charlie Brown Christmas, my 11 year old mixed roasted pecans with melted salted butter and a very generous amount of cinnamon and sugar. They were so good! Set aside your recipes for sugared spiced nuts and just make Josie’s 5-minute pecans instead!
Holiday & Winter Reading
I mentioned a stack of holiday books that have brought me great joy this month. Even if I don’t end up reading all of them, I still love seeing the books stacked up next to my bed. Most of these cozy, literary winter books you can enjoy all the way through January.
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
Time of the Child by Niall Williams
The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey
Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher
Christmas by the Book, by Anne Marie Ryan
A Literary Christmas, an anthology by the British Library
The Penguin Book of Christmas Stories, a collection of authors
This year we’ve officially moved out of Little Kid Christmas and onto Big Kid Christmas. I can definitely sense my kids (ages 11 and 15) humoring me rather than fully enjoying some of our traditions, like watching Rudolph and Frosty or joining an outdoor holiday sing-a-long downtown like we did last night. Christmas with big kids is fun in a different way, and so much less exhausting. I miss the footed jammies and Christmas picture books, but I don’t miss the overwrought toddlers or inevitable exhaustion and sickness that crept into the holidays.
Wishing good health to all of you, good tidings of comfort and joy, a warm cup of coffee and a good book, and time with friends and family, however you celebrate.
I’m looking forward to chatting again in the New Year!
xo
Jenny