Holidays are different now, living my life on the journey. I used to get depressed that we don’t have extended family nearby to celebrate with. I hate admitting how green with envy I was seeing everyone’s family pics on my Facebook newsfeed.
I have a completely different outlook on everything now, including holidays. Instead of feeling lonely and focusing on what and who I didn’t have, I focus on what I do have.
I live to eat and look forward to planning what I will be making for holiday meals. Just because there isn’t a slew of us doesn’t mean I can’t prepare what I want.
People look at how much food I make for just 2, 3, or 4 of us and can’t understand why I go to all the effort. I am not talking about how much in terms of servings sizes, but the variety and preparation time for my meals. Just because I’m only cooking for 2 or 3 of us, does that mean we aren’t worth it?
I cut back on making elaborate meals when I was feeling lonely and sorry for myself; now I say the hell with it and make what I want.
Today we had brunch for two. I served traditional Pizzagaina, which is a savory meat and cheese pie. I also made Ina Garten’s Sour Cream Coffee Cake with a Maple Glaze. Deviled Eggs and Shrimp Cocktail balanced out the meal.
The pizzagaina was a lot of work, but I love making it. I made mini pizzagaina this year and froze two out of the four to serve at another brunch.
I’ve gotten better at baking in the last few years and don’t get stressed out anymore. I watched Ina Garten on YouTube make her coffee cake, got out Nana’s tube pan, and jumped in. It took longer than I thought to prepare, then it had a 50 minute baking time. It had to cool for 30 minutes before I could carefully remove it from the pan and glaze.
The deviled eggs I made a couple of days ago, along with the shrimp cocktail. I had eight shrimp leftover when I was making shrimp and grits, so I boiled them that night, and they were out of the way.
While the coffee cake was in the oven, I prepped a few things for Easter dinner, which we will be having later with our oldest son Noah. The brunch? I couldn’t be more satisfied with how everything came out; it was totally worth the effort for just the two of us. 😊
Happy Easter! I love your effervescence and genuine take on life! I’m so glad that I follow your blog. You light up my day. P.S. I’ll soon send you a donation to support your blog.
Family may not be close in proximity—-but are there in heart!!!