The be-thankful season is upon us

The hustle bustle of the holiday season is upon us, my friends.

By the time you read this we will be well into the preparations for our feast of Thanksgiving. Are you remembering during this hectic time to stop and actually give thanks for all that is good and plentiful in your lives? Or are you just going through the motions for fear of falling so far behind that you can’t recover?

Remember the reason for the season, as they say. Now and always.

A few simple organizational tips are all we need to stay on task and pace ourselves in all areas of our lives for the next couple of months. Very shortly we will be presented with a fresh start to a new year, but until then let’s try to be as efficient in our word and deed as humanly possible.

Hopefully your turkey bird has been long purchased or at least ordered, and you very well may have accomplished your short list at the grocery store. I do recommended a couple of visits to the grocers in anticipation of putting out your holiday spread. There are many dry good items that can be purchased ahead of time. This is time efficient shopping and also cost effective for the wallet.

Ordering the turkey and any other meats and poultries in advance is always helpful. Check your linens and make sure you have a head count for your table and have a clean and pressed cloth suitable to seat your table size.

Acquiring a centerpiece from the local florist is also a very nice touch. Some colorful autumn leaves in a decora-

tive bowl with some mini pumpkins or a few festive colored ornaments is an inexpensive do-it-yourself way to decorate the table as well.

Place cards are a nice touch too, and the children can be assigned the task of making these for the family members and guests.

I usually start a few days ahead of time, before the hustle bustle in the kitchen begins. I clean and tidy the house, and I also set my table. I actually enjoy seeing it set so beautifully, awaiting our guests. This is a good motivator and very inspirational.

I chose my menu a few weeks ahead of time, as I mentioned earlier, so that I can do some of the shopping in advance. There are also many kitchen tasks that can be started a couple of days early; such as any chopping, peeling or assembling. You can even bake your pies and wrap them well to freeze. What a great way to manage the rushing about on Thanksgiving day.

I enjoy having family with us in the house, and if you have guests this year who are arriving early, do not hesitate to put them to work. Giving thanks for all we have comes easier when we all are putting in the elbow grease to make it come to fruition. We can be thankful for the help just as easily.

Be certain to stop the treadmill of life, get off and do something pampering for yourself. Even a peaceful walk through the fall foliage can refresh the mind and spirit.

Carry this practice through the holiday season with your other holiday celebrations, engage everyone in the preparation and you will not only be much more efficient but you will most probably be less stressed and will enjoy the season immensely.

Good luck and have a thankful Thanksgiving Miriam S. Cash is the owner of Equilibrium Design and Consulting of East Goshen. More information is available at www.designsbyequilibrium.com.