Day 187

There is an opening scene in the book, I Don’t Know How She Does It, by Allison Pearson in which the protagonist is working over store bought  pies with a rolling pin in the middle of the night, to make them look homemade for one of her kid’s functions the next day.  I have to tell you, I identify with that fictional woman at that fictional moment.

The truth is that I want to participate in all of the teacher appreciation luncheons, class parties, choir pot lucks and end of sport season barbeques.  But, particularly as we enter the holiday season, THERE ARE SO MANY OF THEM.  I find it hard to keep up, particularly since in addition to mom duties, four days a week, I have to shower, make myself presentable and show up at an office where they expect me to work.

Before The Simple Year, I would often just volunteer to provide the paper goods and then send them in with the kids at my convenience sometime prior to the event.    I can’t do this now. I know you can argue paper napkins and paper plates are consumable, but these are on the “forbidden list”.

Hey, I don’t make the rules….well, actually I do… but, I decided early on no paper goods; so I’m going to stick by it.

Instead, I have been calling on something I have been doing sporadically over the years (often for military spouse functions) and I am going to share the tip with you.

I take my own platters in to the grocery store deli a day or two ahead of my event and  and have them make the veggie, fruit or sandwich trays right on them . Many delis also have additional make ahead options like antipasto or cheese trays.

This is my dirty little secret.  But I would argue that not only is it convenient, but I am using less plastic so I can play the environmentally friendly card.  Plus, it looks nice and I don’t correct people if they happen to think I made it myself (although I suppose now, I have now “outed” myself).  I have also done this at places like Jason’s Deli and Schlotzsky’s as well.    Usually all of these businesses are amenable to this.  The only time I ever had someone balk was, ironically, Whole Foods.  The somewhat surly young man with the dreads and peace sign tattooed on his neck was not all that “stoked dude” about assembling “The Big Dipper” party selection on my  tray, which was unexpected.  A quick chat with a manager on the way out  remedied the situation.  I hope he didn’t spit in my hummus.

See, sometimes there is simplicity in The Simple Year, or duplicity, maybe that is the word I am seeking.