A New Year's Resolution I Really Hope to Keep

Happy January all!  It is getting a little late in the month to be making New Year's resolutions but, I have been putting away Christmas decorations all week and this is the first time I have really been able to sit down and share my one and only with you.

Before I tell you my NYR I want to explain a few things to you.  My husband, Tom, and I have been empty nesters for quite a while now and with that life circumstance, I have gotten out of the habit of having well-stocked, dare I say any stocked, cabinets.  I am a run-out-and-grab-what-you-need-for-that-day kind of gal.  This method has seemingly worked for us most of the time but, for the reason I am about to explain, I would like to improve on this system in 2025.

Do you remember the story in the Bible of Zacchaeus?  He was the guy who wanted to see Jesus as he was passing through Jericho but, being a short man, he needed to climb up a tree to take a peek at him over the crowd.  Jesus saw him in the tree and told Zacchaeus to "come down immediately.  I must stay at your house today." (Luke 19:5b)

Being the crazy and insecure person that I am, the first thing that came to mind after ready this passage was, "What if I didn't have any decent food at my house to give to Jesus if He wanted to stay at my house?!"  Then and there I wanted to make sure I would have food in the pantry, at least enough to offer an unexpected guest something to eat if they ever stopped by.  Improving my hospitability skills and becoming more organized in this area did not seem like a bad thing to strive for at the beginning of a New Year.

Well, that was at least four years ago, and I have to tell you, I never did anything to prepare for that unexpected event...until this Christmas season.  I had casually invited my son and his family to drop by over the weekend a few weeks before Christmas to see my holiday decorations.  My son loves Christmas and the decorations that go along with it. So, I thought he might enjoy seeing mine before the chaos of Christmas Day came.  I host Christmas Day for my whole family, and it does get a little hectic.  My thought was well founded :).  Anyway, there were no set plans, and no pressure from me to have to come.  The family had school events and social engagements but, I wanted to be prepared anyway just in case they could come.  So, my husband and I went to the store and specifically picked out items that would not expire until after Christmas so that they wouldn't go to waste if my son's family, indeed, could not drop by.

As it turned out, they couldn't come but now I had a crock of spreadable cheese, some humus, crackers and pretzels.  We ended up using them on Christmas Day but, for the weeks leading up to the holiday, I knew I had food I could offer anyone who might stop by.  It was the best feeling ever!  Being prepared actually took stress away.

Now I feel empowered to keep my New Year's resolution. I will now have food items available in the pantry for unexpected visitors.  What I have realized is that you do not have to have a lot of food choices, just a few.  Make sure to check the expiration date to be confident that your foods will last at least a few weeks.  If in the end, the food needs to be thrown out, the reward for me, at least, outweighs the risk. It is worth the somewhat small cost.  Of course, only do this as your budget allows.

In thinking about this, I have come up with some ideas for you (and myself) to have on hand.  One or two items should suffice as a contingency.

Brownie mix is a great choice.  They are easy to make and usually bake within a half an hour.  We always have ice cream in the freezer so, that is a nice added touch.  Come to think of it, you can simply offer ice cream. That works. Chocolate syrup lasts forever so that is a good choice too.

Frozen cream puffs.  These are great with chocolate syrup drizzled over them and they last quite a while in the freezer.  The thawing time is fairly quick too.  If you would like, you can present them nicely on a pretty dish.

Frozen eclairs are good too.  You don't need the chocolate syrup for these but, who is stopping you from adding a little drizzle here as well?!

The aforementioned cheese and crackers~

If someone drops in around dinner time, spaghetti and sauce is an easy meal to put together.

Frozen meatballs can be one of those items you buy and put in the freezer, just in case.  

They can be added to the sauce.

And don't forget bread and butter and maybe some jelly.  Most people have bread and butter around the house, and it came be delicious too. 

As I started thinking about the possibilities of easy food offerings to have on hand, the ideas kept coming.  There is popcorn, potatoes chips, dips, bagged cookies and even lollipops. I am famous for those with my grandchildren.

  I am sure some of you are thinking, " This seems pretty ridiculous".  Doesn't she have anything in her pantry at all?  Truly, I have to be intentional with this.  Yes, I have food but, often the package has been opened and half eaten.  It may not be presentable, or I do not have the forethought to come up with something.  My hostess confidence goes right out the window, and I am left holding an empty bag.  So, in order to keep this New Year's resolution, I have to plan ahead and be thoughtful about what I might buy.  

I am thinking that keeping this resolution will improve my life and, if I am lucky, will brighten another.

Let's hope this is not one of those resolutions that goes by the wayside. 

 I would love to hear what New Year's resolutions you might have :).