tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post835365972507563881..comments2024-03-28T16:20:57.446-07:00Comments on The Gardener's Cottage: holiday stress*the gardener's cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16447809353998632722noreply@blogger.comBlogger126125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-86207413717922138612010-11-19T08:29:12.760-08:002010-11-19T08:29:12.760-08:00dear heather,
you day sounds absolutely perfect. ...dear heather,<br /><br />you day sounds absolutely perfect. and the holidays are best seen through the eyes of a child, you are so right.the gardener's cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16447809353998632722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-52353086826385807672010-11-18T15:23:27.172-08:002010-11-18T15:23:27.172-08:00I get very stressed out from November 1st to to th...I get very stressed out from November 1st to to the middle of January. It seems like everything, everyone is rush rush rush, buy buy buy and I am so not a Scrooge. I enjoy looking at the decorated trees and the songs. I find the Spirit of the Season in my 4 year olds eyes. We buy him only 3 presents and I and I make a huge feast for the 3 of us..but it is not rushed and my hubby and my son join in. We eat as we go and generally turn off our phones and just enjoy the day. We bake cookies and just try to chill. It is very low key and stress free. Long walks and lots of white chocolate cocoa's seem to help me be more pleasant. : )Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00384587118391823497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-27610209868498066122010-11-17T14:08:47.231-08:002010-11-17T14:08:47.231-08:00dear connie lou,
your comment really does put EVE...dear connie lou,<br /><br />your comment really does put EVERYTHING in perspective. thank you.the gardener's cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16447809353998632722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-91493155988415508792010-11-17T14:07:51.189-08:002010-11-17T14:07:51.189-08:00dear deborah,
your dinner sounds so perfect and e...dear deborah,<br /><br />your dinner sounds so perfect and elegant. i can just picture you 2. except that i really don't know what you look like, do i?!the gardener's cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16447809353998632722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-11803091643886858072010-11-17T13:27:45.065-08:002010-11-17T13:27:45.065-08:00I hear you, and I remember those times! However th...I hear you, and I remember those times! However this year I would take it all back to have my soldier/son home from the war and at my table.....Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01998973805998600350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-89108577416235664362010-11-17T07:59:12.860-08:002010-11-17T07:59:12.860-08:00Hi Janet - This is why this year we are saving up ...Hi Janet - This is why this year we are saving up (eating out less often on weekends) to treat ourselves to Thanksgiving dinner at The Ritz in Boston. Something entirely new for me. I love to cook, but it takes hours to prepare the mean and we eat it all so quickly, dinner is over in 15 minutes. No more trying to be Martha Stewart for me.<br />DeborahBoxwood Terracehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04635278108636515992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-9749469560441267492010-11-17T05:55:13.605-08:002010-11-17T05:55:13.605-08:00dear ff and blights,
so nice of you both to comme...dear ff and blights,<br /><br />so nice of you both to comment on my misery while living it up in blighty's HQ's. i've decided i'm working in a local shelter on the morning of and then coming home and having my vegan feast outside. so i won't be able to start drinking really, really early.the gardener's cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16447809353998632722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-54527074160978831632010-11-17T05:51:51.144-08:002010-11-17T05:51:51.144-08:00dear paula,
thanks for commenting and trust me, y...dear paula,<br /><br />thanks for commenting and trust me, you do not miss this holiday! your weekend sounds perfect!the gardener's cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16447809353998632722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-35898074568401908172010-11-17T05:50:47.335-08:002010-11-17T05:50:47.335-08:00dear sarah,
after reading all these comments, i&#...dear sarah,<br /><br />after reading all these comments, i'm positive that austrailia is the place for me. so much more kick back there! i'm so glad you said IT too. thanks.the gardener's cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16447809353998632722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-71828059814880546352010-11-17T05:49:41.860-08:002010-11-17T05:49:41.860-08:00dear joy,
thank you for your comment and i hope y...dear joy,<br /><br />thank you for your comment and i hope you feel as good as me getting all that off your chest. sometimes that's the best thing isn't it? i love that you are taking a stand and sticking to it!the gardener's cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16447809353998632722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-68501490450384782972010-11-17T02:56:56.502-08:002010-11-17T02:56:56.502-08:00Dear J
I'm in England typing this from Blighty...Dear J<br />I'm in England typing this from Blighty's computer (true! We went to Oxford yesterday) anyway we say Don't get stressed re Thanksgiving- nominate people to bring a dish and keep it casual. And start drinking early. Really really early. Love FF and Blighty from Blighty HQ xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxFaux Fuchsiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17317677066408030053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-86701322971083493612010-11-17T02:16:21.681-08:002010-11-17T02:16:21.681-08:00This holiday is something that does not exist arou...This holiday is something that does not exist around here. Instead I will invite my youngest niece and we will design christmas cards, bake christmas cookies and giggle a lot. It will be a weekend like any other weekend. I am not sure if I miss the holiday you have.Paulahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17842556959891396007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-18872293033742983672010-11-17T01:12:18.322-08:002010-11-17T01:12:18.322-08:00Oh my goodness Janet - just look at the amount of ...Oh my goodness Janet - just look at the amount of comments on this post! Maybe more people pretend than we realise that all is jolly and happy when really it's STRESS city... Have to say that if I was in England at this time I would be worrying about Christmas, making it all wonderful etc. and what I was cooking and who was coming over.. (usually at least mother in law which was enough to stress me at the best of times!!) Funny thing is because I am here in Australia and its Summer holiays in January I almost forget at times that it's Christmas soon!! I'll be lucky if I get my cards out in time and you know what? I don't care this year!! There, I've said it! xSemi Expathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12839322243900070800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-56784210191951086282010-11-16T22:38:26.937-08:002010-11-16T22:38:26.937-08:00Oh my. I am amazed that so many feel as I do. I ...Oh my. I am amazed that so many feel as I do. I hate the "happy holidays" for they are never, ever, either of those words! I am usually depressed for the whole season, and have only recently begun to understand why, and how I could change it. <br /><br />I've been married and a mom 30 years. And that's exactly how long it's been since a holiday rolled around that I wasn't too tired, too stressed, etc, to actually enjoy. The last decade has been particularly difficult. This year, I waved the white flag. I am not doing a traditional Thanksgiving. With one vegan, one vegetarian, one low carb diabetic and one meat/potatos type appetite - I just ain't doing it. The vegan won't be with us this year, so that's one diet off the list. I will fix a turkey earlier in the week, and maybe a side dish or two that week, in advance. Small and simple. Thanksgiving day, I plan to heat everything up after making cottage dill bread and he'll have his traditional meal and myself and the vegetarian will scrounge a salad. And then I'm going to do something I enjoy for the rest of the day. And my daughter will go to her second family's house (her BFF) and be a part of a huge family with the traditional groaning table of food. I sincerely hope she has a wonderful time; they're an awesome bunch. It took me a long time to realize I was trying to reproduce the holidays of my childhood; and for starters, we're about a couple dozen people short of the crowd I remember fondly, so it just isn't something I can do for my kids.<br /><br />Himself will pass out after eating all the turkey/potatos. That will mean I can be in my quilting studio doing what I love. All of us will enjoy the day in our own way. <br /><br />I'm doing pretty much the same thing for Christmas. The tree is up already. I have done everything I can in advance. Presents are made and mailed. I'm revolting this year. I am not going to get caught up in having the most wonderful memorial picture-perfect holiday. We're going to focus on the reason for the season and the love we have for each other and gratitude for our little family. It's what we've got. We put the fun in dysfunctional and I kinda like us! Sorry to blather on!! <br /><br />Joy (HBS)Joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05833603111807285912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-46466525227968095582010-11-16T14:47:47.068-08:002010-11-16T14:47:47.068-08:00dear jo,
thank you for your comment and judging b...dear jo,<br /><br />thank you for your comment and judging by the comments here, you aussies have it whipped. it seems so much more low key there.the gardener's cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16447809353998632722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-72542272728128357742010-11-16T13:58:22.658-08:002010-11-16T13:58:22.658-08:00Hi Janet
I've only experienced the one Thanksg...Hi Janet<br />I've only experienced the one Thanksgiving when visiting a friend in San Francisco some years ago. From what I saw at that time it IS a lot of work! <br />Being Australian and living in London I just have to deal with Christmas. But as my parents and brother are on the other side of the world we have very low key Christmas days with just the three of us. And, how lucky am I, my husband does the cooking.<br />My mum has the right idea - she provides a ham and some seafood and then all her guests bring the rest, salads and desserts and everyone eats outside. <br />Sometimes I yearn for a 'hot' Christmas in the sun instead of these dark Northern Hemisphere ones!Jonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-77618820067286793242010-11-16T12:39:07.714-08:002010-11-16T12:39:07.714-08:00dear anon,
i feel your pain and you are obviously...dear anon,<br /><br />i feel your pain and you are obviously not alone. i think your decision to opt out is great. it really is just too much...the gardener's cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16447809353998632722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-12869452913228030982010-11-16T11:18:11.651-08:002010-11-16T11:18:11.651-08:00Love the post.
I have tried asking for help. It ...Love the post.<br /><br />I have tried asking for help. It hasn't worked.<br />I am the only adult female in the family that takes on the responsibilities of the holidays.<br /><br />I am tired of it all. It hasn't been fun for me since my children have grown, and married. I tried to teach by example. When my children were young we would go to my Mom's/Mom-in-Laws.<br />I always, and I do mean always brought sides, and desserts. I always helped with any and all work. Helping to serve, as well as dishes etc.<br /><br />I always taught my children that one should never just show up, sit, consume, and act as if<br />one were at a fine dining facility. (waiting to be served/mindlessly ignoring responsibilities. <br /><br />Yet, my children have not learned this lesson.<br />They also have spouses that didn't learn this lesson. <br /><br />The holidays for me are a nightmare. I am opting out this year. I have told my children that I won't be home for Thanksgiving.<br /><br />Sad but true. I have three adult children, their spouses, and four grandchildren. Also, my Father-in-Law, Brother-in-Law, my husband, and myself. My Mother-in-Law died three years ago. It is more than I physically, and emotionally can handle alone.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-24889449361422866842010-11-16T11:07:59.509-08:002010-11-16T11:07:59.509-08:00dear janet,
janet's can read janet's mind...dear janet,<br /><br />janet's can read janet's minds. ahaha!the gardener's cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16447809353998632722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-42095611753932012712010-11-16T10:46:24.603-08:002010-11-16T10:46:24.603-08:00Bravo! You read my mind. ;)Bravo! You read my mind. ;)Janethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00852511054538195004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-59189674959466836352010-11-16T10:40:19.867-08:002010-11-16T10:40:19.867-08:00dear pam,
thanks pam and i guess no matter where ...dear pam,<br /><br />thanks pam and i guess no matter where we are in this world we can all relate to holiday stress.the gardener's cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16447809353998632722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-21937740409301037482010-11-16T10:39:30.335-08:002010-11-16T10:39:30.335-08:00dear jeanne,
your zion thanksgiving sounds perfec...dear jeanne,<br /><br />your zion thanksgiving sounds perfect. hope to see you soon!the gardener's cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16447809353998632722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-60074539010222174422010-11-16T10:26:40.167-08:002010-11-16T10:26:40.167-08:00Janet, I live in South Africa and so enjoy catchin...Janet, I live in South Africa and so enjoy catching up on your insights, ideas and style. Today's post particularly has resonance for me. Best wishes PamPam Willshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16095667334507589160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-81005076689656235212010-11-16T10:00:52.545-08:002010-11-16T10:00:52.545-08:00Every Thanksgiving we dig out the, "Alices Re...Every Thanksgiving we dig out the, "Alices Restaurant" and sing in *two* part harmony all the way to the ...In-Laws. :/* I hate going there. I dont like them and they dont like me. Weird huh?<br /><br />My favorite Thanksgiving was spent with Leo, in a cabin at Zion National Park. It snowed.:) Thanksgiving is actually my and Leo's anniversary We've been together since 1971. Boy I'm old.<br /><br />Your Desert Rat sis,<br />j.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-34807652591841935692010-11-16T08:39:03.449-08:002010-11-16T08:39:03.449-08:00dear emily,
thank you and i will post it tomorrow...dear emily,<br /><br />thank you and i will post it tomorrow. glad you found/read the vegan post too. good luck with earthlings, you're gonna need it!the gardener's cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16447809353998632722noreply@blogger.com