Warm and pleasant greetings to all.
We hope you had a great Thanksgiving day, enjoying a beautiful spirit, a bountiful food table seasoned with love, and spending time with family, friends and others who care about each other.
We appreciate our neighbors, as always. It’s always good greeting others when we are out and about. We appreciate those who stop in to see us and even the telephone calls, all of which make us feel blessed. May the same spirit of thankfulness, and blessedness, flow right into the Christmas holidays.
Remember, you can’t afford to let your turkey overstay its time in the refrigerator. Many dishes will taste good from leftover turkey. Try pita pockets, frittatas, soup, barbecue sandwiches, pasta bake, nuggets (children love it!), and even chili, pot pie, hash, turkey salad ... you name it, it’s all a new lift to that dry leftover turkey.
People are excited about the holiday festivities. We are all concerned about keeping safe during the season. I, of course, am always concerned about food safety and sanitation, my pet peeve. At the same time, we need to “brush up” on our etiquette skills.
Don’t forget: Manners matter, especially when we’re around others all dressed up and socializing and in fellowship.
It’s good to conduct ourselves with good behavior, especially when we are invited for dinner. According to etiquette experts, here’s how to avoid mistakes:
1. It’s rude to arrive a few minutes early or later. It’s highly intrusive to come early.
2. Don’t bring a dish if not asked. Do bring food if asked or it’s potluck.
3. Always arrive with something for the host.
4. You are invited, not you plus one!
5. If other cultures or traditions are not the same as yours, just silently join in. Don’t make a rude remark.
6. Keep your conversation light and pleasant, no personal topic, gossip, etc.
7. Drink and eat responsibly, don’t embarrass yourself!
8. If you are going through a buffet line, don’t carry multiple plates. Start with one plate. If you like seconds, be sure everyone else has gotten their first serving.
9. Lot to be said about regifting. Be careful! I’m personally shy, so I refrain.
10. If place cards are used at table settings, please do not replace them!
11. If there’s not a dress code, show your host you are happy to be invited. Don’t overdo it. Dress up a bit. You don’t want to dress too casually.
12 Don’t overstay your welcome. Sorta read the room, the host’s body language and the departure of other guests. Leave at an appropriate time.
A few residents in our community are getting the decorations in place for the holidays. It gets more beautiful each year. Some one has to start first to get others in the mood — or the mode, whatever. Our community will have some beautiful decorations, you’ll see!
Enjoy life today. Be blessed.
