in case you need to hear this

ten things from me to you

1. it’s okay to skip this holiday (go the movies! do whatever you want!)

2. it’s okay to not make everything yourself and definitely okay to not make everything from scratch (this is true all of the time, but especially today)

3. it’s okay if your turkey is dry (that’s what gravy and cranberry sauce are for)

4. it’s fine to use a foil pan to make clean-up easier today (just please put it on a sheet pan so that it’s easier to take in and out of the oven)

5. you don’t need a roasting rack (they’re the most annoying thing to clean) — just set your turkey in the roasting dish as is, or set it on a “rack” made of a bunch of pieces of celery lined up next to each other

6. it doesn’t matter if everything is hot and ready at the same time

7. it’s fine to wear your most comfortable pants — in fact, please do

8. if someone makes a comment about your body or what you’ve eaten, it’s fine to tell them to fuck off, change the subject, or simply leave the room

9. if you don’t like cooking with people, you can set up a 1000 piece puzzle in another room and tell them they’re not allowed in the kitchen until the puzzle is done

10. if someone is annoying you, send them out to buy more ice (whether or not you need it)

see you next week. take good care of yourselves, friends. xooxoxox julia

my preferred low-effort/high-reward cocktail snack: cheez-its.