Or just recovering from the Holidays

As much as I enjoy the holidays, I find I look forward to the ‘after party’ as much as the festivities.

There is the fun of the food, gifts, music, movies, etc. but after a while …

Perhaps that is what January is for?

I find myself rooting around the freezer, pulling out older veg for a soup. Corralling the crackers and cheese as a side. Finding places for the gifts that I want to be able to find/use rather than tucked away in a corner I rarely visit.

We are slowly but surely working our way through the pie and cookies. Ditto for the holiday chocolates…something I admit I will be sad to see the empty package of. 

A Little Goes A Long Way

All that being done and said, what I find myself yearning for is a simple meal that isn’t heavy, fussy, or even – dare I say it – fancy.

Ironic that a few weeks ago we were dreaming of the holiday table and all the goodies it carried. Now we are dreaming of something totally different…

Perhaps that is the magic of the holidays, a chance at a Fresh Start that is, indeed, different from what came before it.

Here’s to cleaning out the pantry, using up the odds and ends, easing into simple, easy, flavorful meals.

We will deal with the rest of the holiday chaos later…right?

Happy New Year, everyone!