I blame my mother...

With the cold, snowy weather our neighborhood has become a deserted tundra. What is usually a street full of running and playing has become the occasional wave and a frigid hello as we shovel out. So, what better way to reconnect than a wine night with the ladies on the street? I love a good night IN where I can catch up with friends, but not wonder what my family is doing since I am a mere 10 feet away.
However, I am a horrible hostess. I blame my mother because growing up when we had people over she was a firm believer of the "help yourself". Everyone always just made themselves at home and her house was always immaculate so there was never a need for that last minute scramble to clean. Usually when I host, I clean, prep and try my best to focus on filling glasses instead of conversation...this time around...none of that. I did vacuum and wash counters, but no dusting, cleaning bathrooms, mopping, etc. Everyone brought their own drinks and I provided the ever yummy box-o-brownies. That's it. The result...the same thing as if I'd cleaned and prepped. A great night of conversation, eating and drinking among friends and neighbors. So why do I worry when the result is the same either way? Just one more way to relax and work on filling my happy bucket this year.
On a side note...the resolution rage has made it a full 3 weeks. This week for dinner...BBQ sandwiches, pepperoni subs, cheddar beef enchiladas, chicken gnocci, and broccoli cheese soup. I made my quota in running this week and can hopefully start making up for the 4 miles that I am still behind from the first 2 weeks. It is getting easier day-by-day though.