#123 - Don't Like Holiday Stress...

Stress-free Zone

I've had 6 holidays since this cancer thing started and I'll remember them all, even Memorial Day. I'll remember how different each holiday felt... after diagnosis... before surgery... during chemo... 

I'll remember Thanksgiving this year and how I got a break from raditaion for the holiday! Mostly, I'll remember how truly thankful I felt, with family and the end of treatment nearing. I'll also remember the holiday, as the easiest Thanksgiving ever. The kids came home... and it really did feel like we were in some kind of stress-free zone!

Prep

With only 4, it was easy to fit everyone in the kitchen. All pitched in the night before, doing last minute prep.  

On Thanksgiving morning, there was time to sit around and drink coffee and eat pumpkin bread. There was no rush to get the turkey started. No fretting over finding the right table cloth.  No fussing over polishing silver. 

I felt different this year. I felt too relaxed to stress over details.

Miss Lola

Scott brought Lola and she even seemed to be aware of the stress free zone. She had her own goodie to nibble on, while we feasted at the table.

Balmy Weather

A crisp day would have been festive, but we made use of the ideal temps.  There was time for frisbee and dog walks.  The air felt heavenly.

Leftovers

It felt wonderful not wasting food this year. Before the kids headed home with leftovers on Saturday, we experimented with Stuffing Waffles!  
This was Don's idea and I'm sure it will be a tradition now! The stuffing got toasty in the iron and the heated potatoes, meat and cranberries were topped with gravy. Perfect!

Cozy Cabin Dining

On Friday night we had a special dinner outing at Rainbow Lodge.  We arrived early to see the grounds lit up in festive lights and we lingered over meals of trout and wild game.

Posing with Kids

Don took a photo of me with Heidi and Scott before we left the restaurant.  As we drove home I realized I'd missed our chance to get a Christmas card photo of the 4 of us. But then I thought, "Am I even doing Christmas cards?"  I like this new relaxed approach to holidays.  I'm going to have to give the card idea some thought!