It is getting to be that time! Here in the U.S. Thanksgiving is just a couple weeks away and Christmas will be here in a few weeks. I keep hearing people say that they are not doing their normal baking. BAKE and ENJOY people. Don't worry about passing the virus - the heat you bake at is pretty extreme. None of us know what tomorrow brings, let alone next year. LIVE and do as many "normal" things as possible.
I worry about a lot of things - but baked goods and food is at the bottom of that list.
I keep most baking and goody items in the pantry at all times, but there are some special ones that we all like to have on hand during the holidays.
Is your holiday pantry ready?
BAKING:
We all need sugar, flour, brown sugar, powdered sugar, baking soda, baking powder
Vanilla and all other flavorings
Spices
Chips, cocoa, nuts, coconut, peppermints
Marshmallows and marshmallow fluff, corn syrup
Dried berries and fruit
Sprinkles, colored sugars and other decorating supplies
Oatmeal, yeast
Oils, butter, Crisco, Ghee, etc.
REFRIGERATOR GOODS
Butter, eggs
Cheeses - all kinds - for snack plates as well
Dip items - purchased dip or ingredients to make dip yourself
MISC.
Crackers of all sorts
Chips for dips
Chick peas to make hummus
Dried French's onions (mmmmm - green bean casserole)
Any types of cookie, brownie or cake mixes you may choose. Some just want a simpler holiday and that is perfectly OK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I like to have lots of easy items on hand. I will have drop cookie dough in the freezer and ready to bake at a moments notice. I keep dip items on hand and fun chips for impromptu company.
Also keep slicing cheese and crackers - and I have beef stick on hand almost always.
There is always pickles, relish and olives.
Lots of fun and easy things that can be thrown together in a few moments.
My attitude may differ from yours and that is OK. I am not saying your way of thinking is wrong or that I am right. I just have decided I am going to enjoy life. I don't know how many years I have on this earth - so I want them to be fun.
Make the goodies. Eat the goodies. Give the goodies.
TIS THE SEASON
I love the last part especially "Eat the goodies"! :)
ReplyDeleteYes indeed!!! ENJOY!
DeleteCouldn't agree more! I've stocked my pantry fairly well, in preparation for Thanksgiving cooking and baking -- there will be maybe 4-6 of us(?). As Thanksgiving approaches (and if it goes on sale) or shortly after, I'll add another 5# bag of flour and one of sugar, and maybe one additional brown sugar. I have regular marshmallows on my current shopping list; I may grab a small bag of miniatures for hot chocolate, as well. But, YES, enjoy and share the goodies -- this year, in particular!
ReplyDeleteYAY! Good for you. It doesn't mean you have to have mass quantities of people around - but we should all enjoy! I can gift my neighbors and not interact too much. I can share goodies with family.
DeleteThis year has been a challenge for many and we need to have a little enjoyment amongst our prayers and worries.
Our pantry is quite stocked for the holidays but it doesn’t seem that we will need nearly as much as usual with everything scaled back this year,
ReplyDeleteAgree - not as much - but still have some. Smile, laugh and love and munch and share a few treats!
DeleteI was thinking of making some peanut butter cookies today. Or making a chocolate cake. We will definitely be eating them. LOL
ReplyDeleteThat is OK. It's the holidays and we all splurge for yummies. Enjoy!
DeleteI rarely bake from scratch, and certainly no one wants to eat it if I do, myself included. My one attempt at Christmas cookies with icing, some years ago, earned the name "Celie's formica cookies" from my family. :) I do enjoy baked goods others make, tho! Celie
ReplyDeleteLOL - that is funny! Bless your heart. Maybe cookies from a box mix or a roll would be better for you. No harm in that.
DeleteHope you get to enjoy some from some where this year!!!
The Betty Crocker sugar cookie mix is quite good and you can press it in a sheet pan and bake them and then frost for sugar cookie bars.
DeleteLana I have done that. I have also made pan chocolate chip cookies. Betty Crocker is a great brand.
DeleteI'm with you. I am going on and enjoying the holiday and our door is open to anyone to drop by and have coffee and what ever goodies we have. We are so sick and tired of being told to be alone! Our state is saying you have to do such stupid things as buy individual serving packets of condiments for Thanksgiving dinner. I don't think so! And to friends who have no family in the area like us I am saying come and eat! Let's enjoy the day!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Individual servings of condiments? Oh my. There is being safe and there is ridiculous.
DeleteLife goes on ... regardless. Holidays are special. I am cautious but tired of being controlled.
Have a wonderful season!
This week I will be going to our bulk food store to pick up nuts, baking chocolate, and tart shells (I can't make decent tart shells for love or money). I usually make lots of candy (brittle, almond bark, caramels, mints, and such) and a few of the cookies I remember Mom making from my growing up years. Of course there are always butter tarts. Stocking up on a few of those items starts now.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Good for you. Hope you get some great sales and deals - they are starting! I love making many family favorites that Mom made as well. Makes it seem like a hug from her!
DeleteBlessings.
I will cook a few goodies, things I really do like. However, in the last few years, I have baked less. I have not even used two pounds of sugar this whole last year, so the fifteen pounds I have should suffice. Most certainly, I will be alone with Tommy and have no desire to break rules or chaff under restrictions. Holidays can be happy and alone. It just takes a proper mindset. I have never feared contamination from cooked food.
ReplyDeleteI bake less as well - but still enjoy it. I think I use more sugar for canning and hummingbirds than anything.
DeleteIf I weren't totally alone it might be different - but since I am, I want my family around.
I hope you and yours have a wonderful season!
I'm well stocked with baking supplies but I've also started with the items that I purchase - in fact - I bought my first tin of fancy chocolates today. The luxury biscuits and shortbread that I buy from my favourite grocery store are just arriving so I may pick up a tin of each tomorrow - not sure about supplies or people stocking up so better to have them on hand. If I "entertain" at all this year it will just be one friend - a singleton like me. We are going under more restrictions again so won't be seeing any of my family (they all live out of town) and I won't be throwing my usual Christmas party for friends. I'm hoping for a Christmas in July celebration next year!
ReplyDeleteI have a turkey breast and a package of turkey thighs on my list, along with a small ham - that will do for meat. But I will be buying lots of cheese (the main reason why I could never be a vegan)! We have a wonderful market here that is about a 15 minute walk from my office and there are a few cheese stands with imports from all around the globe and I do like to try new ones now and again.
I do like an occasional drink so I've already put away a few bottles of wine and some "bubbly" but I like a bottle of Dubonnet at Christmas so I still need to buy that.
It is going to be a strange holiday season but I'll do my best to enjoy it.
I am so glad you are starting to get those special items you like. A nice glass of wine sounds good too.
DeleteOh my, I love cheese - that is a huge weakness of mine. I try to have several types on hand all the time.
Christmas in July sounds fun.
Have a great day.
Restrictions have been lifted here on our little Island so I will certainly be baking and enjoying the season the best we can.
ReplyDeleteYAY for you!!!!! That is wonderful. Have a wonderful and enjoyable holiday season.
DeleteYes! Love reading your articles
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
DeleteLove it!! and agree :D. Gonna make cheese balls; your post made me think of it.
ReplyDeleteMmmmm love cheese balls. Thanks
DeleteI keep a pretty deep pantry so I won't need much. I'll probably get the ingredients for Chex Mix; cheese, meats, crackers; ingredients for dips and whatever candy Farmer wants. We don't entertain much and this year will probably only have DS2 & family here. A few neighbors may drop by in Dec. but it'll be for a monrning coffee break type of visit.
ReplyDeleteI'll continue with my Saturday baking and maybe a few more treats that the family wants. Nothing huge like past years.
I understand totally. I will bake - but not like years past. That is OK.
DeleteChex Mix - I forgot about that. Yum.
Enjoy your son and your dear neighbors.