The new year has arrived, and with it, a bit of culture shock: back to work, back to reality, back to a reasonable amount of cookies. It can be rough. At the end of my workday on December 26th, I fake-whined to my co-workers, "I haven't had any Champagne all day!"- then went home and had a glass. It's important not to shock the system...
The holidays can definitely be a time of indulgence (though I've been able to keep up my usual workouts, it's been Constant Cookie Season around here), and for good reason: winter is a tough time of year. It's dark, cold, and dreary, and we all need a little sparkle- whether in a glass of from strings of lights- to help us get through it. I've been thinking of other ways I can bring a bit of indulgence into my life, without wrecking my budget or my health.
- I'm going to keep my white lights up for at least another month, probably until the end of February. Last year I kept my mirror garland up until March and I was so glad I did. It made the dark days a lot brighter.
- A single bottle of Champagne (well, Prosecco) in the fridge can work wonders. I'm not nearly as likely to open it as a non-sparkling wine, so it's likely to be there for awhile, reassuring me that festivities are always at hand.
- Half- or quarter-batches of cookies are the way to go! A batch of cookies makes too many cookies to be alone in the apartment with, but there's no reason I should go completely without. A few fresh-baked cookies now and then are good for the soul- and, I'd argue, the body.
- You know how December can be so crammed with parties it feels like you're going straight from one cookies-&-Champagne event to the next? I didn't get around to hosting a crafty little soiree over the holidays, so I think I will in January or February. We could all use an excuse to put on a pretty dress or dapper suit and overindulge, just a little.
How do you make the transition from party-time to back-to-the-grind a bit smoother? Happy New Year, everyone!
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In the immortal words of Madame Bollinger (on Champagne):
I drink it when I'm happy
and when I'm sad.
Sometimes, I drink it when I'm alone.
When I have company
I consider it obligatory.
I trifle with it if I'm not hungry
and drink it if I am;
Otherwise I never touch it
- unless I'm thirsty.
Yes, for a few days there, I believed all my family did was drink classy champagne. It was fun while it lasted! I just packed away my flutes which probably tells you how often they are used.
That is the best picture ever.
I want that champers cooler!
sorry, but this picture was on facebook for the last two weeks! please don´t bring these boring kind of stuff on your page.
Hmmm some people are grumpy, maybe they're going through champagne or cookie withdrawal lol
Bahahaha! I love it! Nothing wrong with a little wish fulfillment. I have a hard time with the end of the holidays...because it's still winter, only now it sucks. Luckily, Denver is home to the National Western Stock Show, and we show off how fancy we are for the incoming stockmen by leaving our Christmas lights up until the show ends in January. So, I spend lots of time downtown to get my twinkly lights fix.
I like the idea of throwing a just-because party, maybe I'll do that. And I always make a huge deal out of Valentine's Day, because, hello, chocolate and flirting? Two of my favorite things! The hype and the day itself break up the monotony of winter.
I used the photo for my BB messenger...everyone loves it.
Well despite living in Jamaica and spending the new year at the marina in Portland for lunch, a plunge in the sea and making homemade pizza and drinking champagne at midnight, I truly have the blues today as things go back to normal tomorrow.
I am currently doing laundry and preparing myself for work in the morning.
Thanks for this post as I'm glad to know I'm not alone and the support is greatly appreciated.
Happy New Year all!!!!!
Winter does not suck, however the worst thing about Christmas is you begin to plan for it so long in advance (and hopefully you see friends and family...and it is a great time. I know as an adult I really take advantage of seeing my parents), but then its just gone. Radio stops the music, the stores whip out sales, and the drugstore has Valentine's day candy. It sucks because you are dropped off of an emotional cliff.
Of course I moved to New Orleans a few years ago...and Mardi Gras is coming.
Yep, January and February are tough, especially for those of us with SAD; all the holiday fun and running around keep you going in November and December, but then January 1 hits, there's no more fun stuff and the weather is gray and gloomy. I try to plan things to look forward to during that time--a little trip, a party, that sort of thing. And you just have to keep busy, exercise, and generally take care of yourself as well as you can.
Hey STH, Chinese New Year is coming!
Now there's a gift for those who have everything, Chandon cooler, love it!