Happy November, my friends. The Season of Thanksgiving is upon us and I am indeed thankful for so much. Here's just a partial list: My family. I love them so very much and am blessed beyond measure because of them. And here's news - - - I'm going to get that Grandbaby I've wanted . . . and here's the BEST part . . . It's a GIRL! For those of you that know my family, know that I'm the only girl from WAAAY back. I have brothers and we all have only had boys. Now those boys are having babies and they are all boys, so you can see how thrilled and thankful this girlie-girl is and can't hardly wait to meet the new Delaney Princess.
I'm so very thankful to have a business that I love, with clients that I love and with a team of talented professionals that I love. Wow . . the work trifecta.
I am thankful for chosen family - my dear, dear friends. I am thankful for business associates that I have a blessed relationship with. I have food to eat, clothes to wear, and a comfortable, warm bed to sleep in. Everything else is such a bonus,
We at Spa 131 every day feel blessed and honored to have you as a part of our lives and pledge to continue to give you 100% every time. There are changes afoot in the Spa - some exciting and good, some disappointing and sad.
In addition to Yolanda, Derek, and Amy, we are looking to add to our team of SC Licensed Massage Therapists. If you know an excellent therapist that would make a good full-time addition to our team, please send them our way. I would really be thankful for that.
Exciting November Specials are something to make you feel thankful. Let's start with some awesome facials.
Choose from:
Apple Pie Facial
Blueberry Enzyme Facial
Pumpkin Exfoliating Facial
Our Massage Therapist are offering you a little something awesome this month. Lookie! Buy any hour massage or longer and get your December massage at 1/2 price.
Our sad news is that our nail provider, Amy, is no longer a part of our team, however, that is good news for you. Ms. Kandace is stepping up to the plate and will be providing nail services for you. While Kandace is dually licensed with both Cosmetology and Esthetics, her focus has been on skin care so she has been out of practice with nail services. That means ALL nail services will be 1/2 off all November so that she can sharpen her skills- - - now that's great news for our guests. Please take advantage of this offer. It would be of benefit for you AND benefit for us.
By Rachel Pomerance Berl for U.S. News
It's T minus just days, where T equals the most anticipated home-cooked meal in the country's collective consciousness. But that doesn't mean you have that long to morph into Martha Stewart and host a holiday party that would put a pilgrim to shame. Do everyone a favor and dial down the pressure on the whole shebang.
You've heard the expression, "If Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy." Well, the same might be said of a hostess and her party. If you're feeling stressed and flustered, that's the vibe you give your gathering. And let's face it, there's enough drama around the holidays without party performance anxiety. With that in mind, here are five tips to keep you and your guests feeling -- what's that? -- thankful for this occasion.
1. Prepare as much as you can ahead of time.
"Thanksgiving dinner is a meal that is very well suited to making ahead," says Faith Durand, executive editor of the home cooking website The Kitchn, which published aseries of guides for Thanksgiving. The roasted and baked foods at the heart of the meal often taste better when they're heated up a day after cooking them, she says. "I talk about aggressively minimizing your work on Thanksgiving day because you want to enjoy people," she says. "You don't want to be sweating and running around stressed."
Durand makes as much as possible ahead of time, even the gravy, which she fixes the night before with stock from roasted turkey wings she'll cook for dinner. Cranberry sauce, for example, can be made ahead and stay fresh for a long time in the fridge, Durand says. She also suggests warming up your mashed potatoes in a slow cooker for four to five hours. "You won't suffer any loss in quality."
In addition to making sure you have all the ingredients for your menu, remember to also consider the dishes and equipment you'll need such as a roasting pan or a masher.
2. Know your limits -- and don't be afraid to ask for help.
"Don't take on too much on your own unless you really feel like you can prepare things in advance," says Lizzie Post, co-author of the 18th edition of "Emily Post's Etiquette" and great-great-granddaugher of the guru of graciousness. At her mother's Thanksgiving dinner, every member of the family is charged with bringing a dish and handling a chore, leaving her mother in charge of the turkey and two stuffings. "We do it as a way of thanking my mother and helping her and making it easier on her," she says.
"Don't take on too much on your own unless you really feel like you can prepare things in advance," says Lizzie Post, co-author of the 18th edition of "Emily Post's Etiquette" and great-great-granddaugher of the guru of graciousness. At her mother's Thanksgiving dinner, every member of the family is charged with bringing a dish and handling a chore, leaving her mother in charge of the turkey and two stuffings. "We do it as a way of thanking my mother and helping her and making it easier on her," she says.
Along the same line, Post says Thanksgiving dinner is not the time for hosts to try out new dishes or equipment. "At some point, everyone has their first turkey, and everyone has to try it, but have a Chinese take-out menu on backup," she says.
3. Set the tone to suit your style.
Durand loves to assemble a beautiful table. To make it feel welcoming, she drapes the table in a bright runner instead of a white tablecloth; the former is cheaper and easier to launder, and the latter can make guests tense up over anticipated spills.
Durand loves to assemble a beautiful table. To make it feel welcoming, she drapes the table in a bright runner instead of a white tablecloth; the former is cheaper and easier to launder, and the latter can make guests tense up over anticipated spills.
To keep a festive mood flowing, she suggests serving a dry cider, a "very classic American drink" that's usually low in alcohol and less expensive than wine. After dinner, you can offer a hot after-dinner drink, which "feels very swanky and very kind of high entertaining," but is actually fairly easy, Durand says Consider a simple mulled cider or wine, a spiced chai or spiked cranberry punch, and leave your concoction on the stove throughout the meal. "Warm it up and then serve it in little cups," she says, "and then everyone has a reason to linger around the table with you."
Post advises that you can always close the bar if someone has had too much to drink, and make sure your guests don't drink and drive. You can also opt to collect car keys from your guests upon arrival and avoid a potentially awkward -- or tragic -- situation later.
4. Honor your guests.
The dinner itself is a gift to your guests, but you can make them feel welcome and treated through a variety of thoughtful touches. Take, for example, seating arrangements, which can be a useful tool for separating those who don't mix well and connecting those who do.
The dinner itself is a gift to your guests, but you can make them feel welcome and treated through a variety of thoughtful touches. Take, for example, seating arrangements, which can be a useful tool for separating those who don't mix well and connecting those who do.
You know those guests who always end up in a heated political debate? Don't seat them together, Post says, noting the age-old etiquette standard to steer clear of subjects such as sex, money, politics and religion. These topics can make people uncomfortable. Also, separate couples, she says, to encourage and diversify conversation among all your guests. And nix the kids' tables. Integrate children with the adults, but just be sure they are near an adult they feel comfortable with in case they need help.
Also, while it's great to engage your guests in a group tradition like going around the table and saying what you're thankful for, don't force anyone into making a public statement, Post says, adding that the shy guest will be hoping for an invitation to someone else's Thanksgiving dinner next year.
5. Remember, it's a learning opportunity.
"Step away from it, and stop thinking of it as Thanksgiving with a capital T," says Durand, who considers the meal "a homey weeknight dinner, just amped up." You could also think of it as a crash course in learning how to cook by planning and preparing meals. As she says, "You're kind of like running a marathon, and it trains you to run every day as a cook."
That's all for this month. I want to leave you with a November challenge that I think will provide peace, happiness and begin an attitude of gratitude in your life. It's so simple. Every single night before your go to sleep, think back over your day and find JUST ONE THING to be grateful for - One Thing! No matter who you are and no matter what you are going through, you can always find at least one thing. Every morning, before your feet hit the floor, say a prayer of thanks. Thanks for rest. Thanks for the opportunity of a brand new day and opportunities ahead. I know it sounds simplistic and it is . . . but it is life changing. I would love to hear from you if you do accept my challenge - - - I really would love to.
Blessings to you all, my friends, our friends from Spa 131. On behalf of our team, we want to wish you a very blessed Thanksgiving Season.
"Step away from it, and stop thinking of it as Thanksgiving with a capital T," says Durand, who considers the meal "a homey weeknight dinner, just amped up." You could also think of it as a crash course in learning how to cook by planning and preparing meals. As she says, "You're kind of like running a marathon, and it trains you to run every day as a cook."
That's all for this month. I want to leave you with a November challenge that I think will provide peace, happiness and begin an attitude of gratitude in your life. It's so simple. Every single night before your go to sleep, think back over your day and find JUST ONE THING to be grateful for - One Thing! No matter who you are and no matter what you are going through, you can always find at least one thing. Every morning, before your feet hit the floor, say a prayer of thanks. Thanks for rest. Thanks for the opportunity of a brand new day and opportunities ahead. I know it sounds simplistic and it is . . . but it is life changing. I would love to hear from you if you do accept my challenge - - - I really would love to.
Blessings to you all, my friends, our friends from Spa 131. On behalf of our team, we want to wish you a very blessed Thanksgiving Season.
Marci Delaney
Amy Belle Isle
Derek Brasington
Kandace Wilson
Yolanda Carson
131 State Street
West Columbia, SC 29169
803-251-9400
www.spa131.com
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