Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Survival of the Fittest


 Two weeks ago some friends and I published a monthly Blog With Friends post based on the theme of Family. My friend Melissa's contribution was a very funny guide called How to Survive the Family Holiday Season Without Going Nuts. With her permission, today I'm posting a follow up to her post, but in the form of a challenge.

I asked a number of blogging friends for their advice, hints or tips on how to survive the holidays. It could be serious, it could be humorous, but there was a catch. It had to be said in just one sentence.  

What we ended up with is a great mix. Some thoughtful insight, some comic relief. We have general seasonal advice and some holiday specific tips. Hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed collecting them.

Survival of the Fittest: many bloggers share tips, suggestions, hints and advice on how to survive the holiday season . . . all in one sentence | www.BakingInATornado.com | #humor #blogging #holiday

Carol of Never Ever Give Up Hope
Hire a housekeeper the day before.

Alexandra from Fun and Fit:
Take a 20 minute nap or go for a walk around the block when you get overwhelmed, whether from chores or people.

Minette of Southern Belle Charm
Book a cruise on the 23rd of December and be gone until the 2nd of January.

Ali from Ali Davies:
Set strong boundaries for yourself and others that protect what is most important and how you want things to be. 

Bernadette of Rants From My Crazy Kitchen:
Drink, regularly, and in copious amount.


Tamara of Fitknit Chick:
Congratulate yourself for what you manage to accomplish rather than chastise yourself for the things you didn't.

Valerie of Midlife-A-Go-Go:
Eating is not an Olympic sport; take the time to chew your food thoroughly because it aids in digestion and you won't be swallowing giant lumps of food that will sit in your stomach like lead balls.


Carol of Carol Cassara:
Pick ONE event to spend with family, either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day; on the other day, do exactly what you want, whether it's hanging with hubby at home, going out to dinner or just having Christmas snacks all day. 

Erin of Searching for Sanity
When in doubt, ask yourself "What would Martha Stewart do?" then do the exact opposite.

Mary of Deep South Dish (and author of the cookbook by the same name):
Do as much of the prep work as you can in advance: chop and tightly store veggies in the fridge, toast and crumb breads for stuffing, prep macaroni and shred cheese. 


Spiced Pie With Pecans, a Pecan Pie with some new flavors and kicked up a notch | Recipe developed by www.BakingInATornado.com | #recipe #dessert

Spiced Pie With Pecans
Spiced Pie With Pecans, a Pecan Pie with some new flavors and kicked up a notch | Recipe developed by www.BakingInATornado.com | #recipe #dessert





Dawn of Spatulas on Parade
Delegate: for example if everyone is to bring a dish and you can't stand Aunt A's potato salad but she insists on bringing that, ask her to make a specific dish you do like and if there is none, tell her you "NEED" her to bring . . . soda, tea, cups, whatever.

Rena of Rena's World
If you don't like what's on the menu, Waffle House is open!

Michelle of Neverland Without a GPS
Three gifts per person because that's what Jesus got and it's his birthday.

Kelli G (a Facebook friend):
Drink up.

Lisa of Tweenior Moments
Online shopping!

Diane of On The Alberta/Montana Border
It may not be easy, but fill it with family and visiting, games and food. 

Robin of Someone Else's Genius
Avoid eye contact; staring makes people uncomfortable.


 Mary of Deep South Dish (and author of the cookbook by the same name):
Take the pressure off the host: we all share in the cooking and bring our favorite dish to my son's house.


And here's mine:
When the going gets tough, the tough pack a bag and get going.


I hope you were able to find something in this post to relate to, whether it was inspiration or amusement. This time of year we can all benefit from both. If you have a tip of your own to add, leave it for me in the comments.

I'm grateful for all of my readers, I wish you a very happy Thanksgiving. If you need me over the next few days I'll be at home cooking and baking and putting every one of these golden nuggets of advice to good use.

Baking In A Tornado signature | www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics



Spiced Pie With Pecans
                                                                        ©www.BakingInATornado.com
 
Printable Recipe
 
Ingredients:
1 (9 inch) pie shell
1/2 cup butterscotch baking chips
4 TBSP butter, melted
1 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup spiced rum
1 TBSP vanilla rum
1 TBSP orange liqueur
1/2 tsp salt
3 eggs, beaten
1 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup pecan halves

OPT: Whipped cream for serving

Directions:
*Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
*Melt butterscotch baking chips. It's best to microwave them in 20 second intervals at 50% power, stirring well in between microwaving so they don't seize.
*Whisk together melted baking chips, butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, both rums, orange liqueur, and salt. Once incorporated, whisk in the beaten eggs.
*Mix in the chopped pecans. Pour mixture into the pie shell.
*Decorate the top of the pie with the pecan halves.
*Bake for 30 minutes, tent with tin foil and bake another 20 to 30 minutes or until the center is just set. Allow to cool.
*Serve with whipped cream. Store leftovers in the fridge.

22 comments:

  1. Some really good advice here. Here's one more: Don't hang on too tight to how you want the day to be. You just might miss the splendor of what it is.

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    Replies
    1. Love this advice. Whatever the day turns out to be, take the time to enjoy it.

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  2. Thanks to everyone's very thoughtful advice, I now feel I am armed and ready for the holidays. I wonder if it is too late to book that Christmas cruise though...

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    Replies
    1. Never too late to try! Thank you so much for joining in and offering your advice, love it!

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  3. I cannot formulate proper sentences. This pie. Mmmmmmmm.

    Love this post. Great advice and giggles galore.

    P.S. You're amazing.

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  4. Good advice~ I like Kelli G's. I don't drink but I might start this year.........

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    Replies
    1. Yup, sometimes a woman's gotta do what a woman's gotta do. Thank you, too, for joining in. Loved your advice also.

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  5. I see some great advise...I especially like the idea of booking a cruise!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me too. Maybe we should do that together. Thanks for adding your advice too!

      Delete
  6. So many good ideas! I'm already stressed out and the holiday hasn't arrived yet. Ugh!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No stressing out this far in advance, you'll have nothing to do when the day comes.

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  7. Great tips. And I want that pie!

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  8. I loved this Karen! So funny! I had forgotten all about this one. I already did my cooking and I only cut one finger and burned my thumb, but nobody died so that is a plus! Hope you have a fabulous Thanksgiving! I know you will!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for participating, Rena, your advice made me laugh.

      Delete
  9. I will appreciate the advice. Mine would have been to run and hide until New Year's but that generally isn't possible. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, I'd have to say that yours is pretty close to mine.

      Delete
  10. What a great post! Loved all the suggestions. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

    lisadavisbudzinski@blogpost.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad you enjoyed the post. Happy Thanksgiving to you too.

      Delete

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