My sister in law lives four hours away. Their family of five comes for Thanksgiving, and we travel there for a post Christmas celebration. She started the tradition of handling breakfast for each night her family stays. She comes with a cooler packed with a premade breakfast casserole, pastries that can be warmed, mimosa and Bloody Mary ingredients, sausage balls, etc. Each morning, she wakes up and tackles breakfast and can even go back to bed if she chooses. As everyone wakes up, they come down to coffee and breakfast. It’s the most thoughtful hostess “gift!” Even if you just show up with store bought pastries, a nice juice or ground coffee, it’s such a departure from a bottle of wine or candle.
This was so helpful!! Im great at planning the actual meal on the holiday but tend to forget about the other meals. I want them to be special (intentional but easy) too when all my family is here ❤️❤️ Thank you!
omg my parents are coming and I am queen of lists but I have never thought to type this out like this! Doing immediately thank you, it’s always chaos and we spend hours figuring out where to go eat dinner
LOL Storytime saved our 2+ hour drive yesterday! The adults found it just as funny as the kids. And your nephew’s suggestion of the Magic Woods podcast back in the summer has truly revolutionized tech use in our house—our 5 year old listens to it for hours every day! He just plays in his room, listening to Magic Woods. And this is a kid who previously would want to watch endless tv, all day everyday.
Love these somewhat eclectic guides you put out; they’re reminiscent of old school Cup of Jo, in the best possible way!
Attempting a ham for the first time and just caught where Caro says only to bake it for 15 minutes, whereas the instructions say to warm for almost 2 hours because my ham is 9 lbs. OMG not sure which to follow? I don't want to dry it out but only 15 minutes...will that warm it enough?
Question for the crowd - similar vibe to hosting but what to cook when on ski trip with extended family in a rental? Easy, minimal ingredients (because rental), tastes good. Any recommendations? We have grandparents all the way down to toddlers. We’re responsible for dinner one night and I’m coming up blank on ideas!
For the mushroom leek bread pudding - if making in advance like Ina’s note suggests… how far in advance can we prep it? Can it sit in the fridge overnight?
Can you please give some tips for an entry level caviar tasting? My first and only was at a fancy place in NYC twenty years ago, along with a 100 year old port (the manager was a friend …). I live in Wisconsin now so would love to understand a good reasonably priced mail order suggestion to make my little midwestern family understand how delightful and not scary caviar is!
My sister in law lives four hours away. Their family of five comes for Thanksgiving, and we travel there for a post Christmas celebration. She started the tradition of handling breakfast for each night her family stays. She comes with a cooler packed with a premade breakfast casserole, pastries that can be warmed, mimosa and Bloody Mary ingredients, sausage balls, etc. Each morning, she wakes up and tackles breakfast and can even go back to bed if she chooses. As everyone wakes up, they come down to coffee and breakfast. It’s the most thoughtful hostess “gift!” Even if you just show up with store bought pastries, a nice juice or ground coffee, it’s such a departure from a bottle of wine or candle.
Can I pin this to the top so my sis and brother see heh heh heh
Love all of this, but Jenny’s poem brought me to tears! ❤️
Every time I read it I tear up!!
This was so helpful!! Im great at planning the actual meal on the holiday but tend to forget about the other meals. I want them to be special (intentional but easy) too when all my family is here ❤️❤️ Thank you!
LOVED Nepenthe on my trip to Big Sur!!! have fun!
This was INSANELY helpful, thank you queen!!!
And I love Jenny's poem - so sweet.
I am having my seven year old grandson do place cards on the 24th for our Christmas Day dinner.
so sweet!! my 6 year old was in charge of making the place cards for Thanksgiving this year and he was so proud
omg my parents are coming and I am queen of lists but I have never thought to type this out like this! Doing immediately thank you, it’s always chaos and we spend hours figuring out where to go eat dinner
That poem! It so perfectly embodies how I love and show love to my daughter. Thanks for sharing :)
Isn't it just lovely? Jenny has such a way with words.
LOL Storytime saved our 2+ hour drive yesterday! The adults found it just as funny as the kids. And your nephew’s suggestion of the Magic Woods podcast back in the summer has truly revolutionized tech use in our house—our 5 year old listens to it for hours every day! He just plays in his room, listening to Magic Woods. And this is a kid who previously would want to watch endless tv, all day everyday.
Love these somewhat eclectic guides you put out; they’re reminiscent of old school Cup of Jo, in the best possible way!
That is the *ultimate* compliment.
Attempting a ham for the first time and just caught where Caro says only to bake it for 15 minutes, whereas the instructions say to warm for almost 2 hours because my ham is 9 lbs. OMG not sure which to follow? I don't want to dry it out but only 15 minutes...will that warm it enough?
that's a big daddy -- If you want the whole thing warm, cook it longer!!!! like 30 to 45 minutes
Thank you!!!
Question for the crowd - similar vibe to hosting but what to cook when on ski trip with extended family in a rental? Easy, minimal ingredients (because rental), tastes good. Any recommendations? We have grandparents all the way down to toddlers. We’re responsible for dinner one night and I’m coming up blank on ideas!
SO helpful!! Your pre-holiday meal recipes are top top top, Caro!! ✨
For the mushroom leek bread pudding - if making in advance like Ina’s note suggests… how far in advance can we prep it? Can it sit in the fridge overnight?
Oh at least 48 hours
Merry Christmas, Caro!! Enjoy your family time! Such a blessing!
thank you love!!!!!! you too!!! xoxo
Can you please give some tips for an entry level caviar tasting? My first and only was at a fancy place in NYC twenty years ago, along with a 100 year old port (the manager was a friend …). I live in Wisconsin now so would love to understand a good reasonably priced mail order suggestion to make my little midwestern family understand how delightful and not scary caviar is!
Costco (I know!) has good caviar. You might try there?
I, too, am on the prime rib plan but looking for a recipe that lets me use my oven for those two hours! Any recs, folks?
my friend Jess grills it!! https://www.thespruceeats.com/how-to-grill-prime-rib-335743