Well, finally the holidays are upon us. Not next month or next week even. Right now… beautifully in our face. I absolutely love this time of the year, I know it was how I was brought up. Gifts were always meaningful, never trivial. Meals were always incredibly planned, not even necessarily fancy. Just the bounty of what was available prepared and served with tender respect. And from as young as I can remember, my mom always started the season  a few days early. Two days before the 25th I’d be given a stocking stuffer or two, then on the 24th perhaps e few more small gifts, with the rest coming forth on the 25th. She says that this is how her parents raised her— to do whatever you can to spread out wonderful, special times. Why limit the joy to an hour or two when you can extend it over many days? Their holiday meals were also spread out— a few extra special meals always preceded their Christmas feast. It is a tradition that I have come to respect and look forward to. Now that I plan and prepare the meals, and do all my own shopping and such, I wouldn’t have it any other way! Think about it, for most things in life we demand instant gratification. Life has become so fast, so focused on speed and multi-tasking. Whewwh! Every now and then wouldn’t you love to slow things down, make it last, take the time to really wrap your brain around what’s just happened and ENJOY it to your hearts content? Maybe that is why I love slow-cooking, braising, long-roasting, cooking en sous-vide — by extending the process I am also extending the resulting pleasure.

Do try my mom’s “special time” theory! Take the time to spread out the good times. A little bit here, a little bit there, a little bit really can go a long way! We deserve it, don’t we?

Happy opening, receiving, eating, savouring, sipping, and SLOW it down, man! Think slow motion, but less goofy!

Happy Slow Holidays and Tastefully Yours,

Luke