Every year we take turns in my family hosting the holidays. I haven’t had one in a while. I think the last time I hosted my entire family, except Noah, came down with the flu. It was awful. My son still refers to it as “The worst Christmas EVER!” I think it took him a week to open his gifts. I was angry, hurt and embarrassed all at the same time. This year my husband and I decided to host both of our families and just go with it. We have a humble sized home and fitting 20+ people would be a challenge, but the holidays are about being with friends and family. This year I wasn’t going to let anything or anyone ruin my day and I’m happy to say that it turned out to be a great one.
This Easter I learned that:
10. you can’t make anyone, but yourself happy. ( I knew not everyone would be a fan of my menu, but I liked it. I did make sure that there would be at least something everyone would eat. I hope.)
9. I always make too much food. ( I don’t know if it’s the Italian in me or the fact that my husband keeps telling me it’s not enough! Trust me I had more than enough food.)
8. I’m a crappy housekeeper. ( My husband cleaned while I planned and cooked. I’m not even going to tell you the size of some of the dust bunnies he found.)
7. the car keys I lost when my son broke his arm in 2013 were under the piano! ( It’s like finding $100. That’s how much a new set would have cost us. We’ve been living on a prayer with one set.)
6. my boys are happy to help. ( Not only did my son make a sushi appetizer, but he rolled over 70 meatballs for me. My other son volunteered to set the table and help guests when they arrived. Wow- they have grown up!)
5. we’ve gotten better at keeping people out of the kitchen. ( I’m sorry, but I just can’t talk and cook at the same time. Maybe that’s why I don’t have my own show-LOL!)
4. making a plan and sticking to it actually works. ( I timed everything to perfection. Sure, not everything worked, but it did make things run smoother.)
3. my husband and I can actually host a holiday and not fight. ( Oh yes, we do. Almost every single time, but not this time!)
2. I love to cook, I love to be challenged, I love entertaining. ( When you do the same old crap every day you forget the joy that can found in things like cooking. )
1. you can live by the saying, ” Do your best and forget the rest.” ( I recently interviewed Nicholas Sparks for his latest film The Longest Ride, and something he said really stuck with me. He said, “I can’t control what all of you are going to think about it. And you know what? It really doesn’t matter to me because I saw the film and I love the film. And I’m proud of that film.
And in the end, that’s really all I can control. So, I don’t try to get too caught up in what everyone else thinks or the power of anything else. I just want to know that when I put my head down at night, I did the best work that I could.” So, while I hope everyone enjoyed everything, I know that I did the best I could with what I had and I slept like a baby that night. Now, that’s control. )
Uncle Wally says
April 11, 2015 at 10:40 AMIt was the most awesomest Easters ever! Food was outstanding and the kids are just out-of-this-world intelligent and entertaining!
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
April 14, 2015 at 7:21 AMWe always end up making WAY too much food when we host holidays, too. But leftovers are good, too!
Saidah says
April 14, 2015 at 7:35 AMWe tried a new Chinese restaurant that was pretty good. Overall we took it easy and relaxed over spring break
Jessica Harlow says
April 14, 2015 at 8:45 AMIt sounds like you had a full Easter holiday complete with all of the craziness. lol I’m glad you found your keys! lol…I’m currently living on the edge with just one set too!
mabi says
April 14, 2015 at 11:17 AMI spent my Easter in Chicago with my husbands family. I was a nice change. Had some new delicious Mexican dishes!
becca says
April 14, 2015 at 11:33 AMWe always make too much food but leftovers are the best.
Ashley @irishred02 says
April 14, 2015 at 12:03 PMI always make too much food too when I have people over. I guess it is better than not enough!
Laura Funk says
April 14, 2015 at 3:27 PMI also make way too much food and my hubby and I finally have stopped fighting when we are hosting. Took a few years.
maria @closetohome says
April 14, 2015 at 4:23 PMwe cook a lot of holiday meals at our home. These are all really great tips.
Liz Mays says
April 14, 2015 at 8:19 PMWow you found your car keys! I tend to make too much food too but the leftovers are well appreciated.
Kiwi says
April 14, 2015 at 9:42 PMWow at #7 that is amazing that you found keys from 2013!! I love when
I find things in random places (but its like they magically pop up in the weirdest places). Also sushi rolls for Easter…thats different but i love sushi that cool! Thanks for sharing your personal story!
Lexie Lane says
April 14, 2015 at 9:45 PMYou may not be a good housekeeper, but i’m sure your husband appreciates all the wonderful dishes you make! I think my list is pretty close to yours!
Rosey says
April 14, 2015 at 11:01 PMI love that you embraced the day and just went with it. I also want to tell you how lucky you are to have a hubby who will help clean. :)I’ve been married a long time and I don’t think my husband has ever cleaned anything on purpose. 😉
Carol Bryant says
April 14, 2015 at 11:38 PMYour meal looks fantastic and loved the post!
Courtney says
April 14, 2015 at 11:39 PMMaking a plan is important, but my biggest thing is that I tend to stress over making things perfect, but the stress isn’t worth it because I wind up not enjoying the holiday. New motto: perfection isn’t necessary! 🙂
Lorane says
April 15, 2015 at 9:48 AMI completely agree with #1 and #4 Only you can determine your own happiness. Sticking to a plan actually works but is also extremely hard
Mama to 5 BLessings says
April 15, 2015 at 10:02 AMI love how realistic you are! Real!!!! I am so glad you found your keys, I bet that gave you a chuckle!
lisa says
April 15, 2015 at 10:46 AMEaster is one of the few holidays we don’t have at our house! Thankfully we get to go to someone else’s house and relax and eat tons of food!
Kelly Hutchinson says
April 15, 2015 at 2:09 PMI always make too much food as well! I am OCD about how clean my house should be and then no one really notices one way or the other lol
Victoria says
April 15, 2015 at 7:17 PM#10 is a good one that applies to a lot of things in life.
Dogvills says
April 16, 2015 at 9:19 AMI always make too much food too. I usually only have my immediate family and I am making enough to feed an small army.