Monday, August 9, 2010

Yes, the "Y" Word is Coming

It's still early in August and a whole lot of people wouldn't mind if August lasted another 60 days. No one really wants to give up the idea of summertime. Even for those working full time there is a somehow more relaxed attitude. I hate to be the bearer of non-summer tidings but we are now less than one month away from Rosh Hashanah and the beginning of the fall holiday season. Yup, yom tov is coming. Usually we get a bit of a respite between Labor Day and school starting and the onset of yom tov; not this year.

So yes, I'd like to remind all those who would rather not yet be reminded that there is a lot of preparation that goes into making yom tov--and this year yom tov goes straight into Shabbos. Don't want to be frazzled erev yom tov? Get some things out of the way now. At the least, make up your shopping lists/menus. Thinking of inviting company for yom tov or for some of the meals? No time like the present to do so. Are there items specific to yom tov that will need to be purchased that will do just fine waiting in your kitchen instead of on the store shelves, items such as honey? Buy now and it's one less thing to have to worry about later.

Obviously not everything can be prepared ahead but some food items can be. I finished my baking for yom tov this week--it will all taste perfectly fine after only a few weeks in the freezer, and it's one messy job that I won't have to be doing in the middle of everything else.

No time like the present to be thinking about the future, a future that will be arriving sooner than we'd like to think it will.

8 comments:

Rochele said...

I'm going to pretend you didn't post this now. August is just...way...too...early to be doing prep for Rosh Hashana.

JS said...

"Usually we get a bit of a respite between Labor Day and school starting and the onset of yom tov; not this year."

A family with kids in yeshiva told me that in the entire month of September the kids have 6 or 7 days of school. So add that to yom tov preparations as well!

Anonymous said...

And don't forget that for many working people, September is one of the busiest times of year at work, not that anyone will complain about being busy at work in this economy, unless you are doing the work of two people because your company has downsized.

G6 said...

Thanks ever so much for striking fear and agitation in the hearts of many.
That's not to say that the thoughts haven't entered MY mind already as well... followed by panic... followed by reminding myself that I've made three day Yomim Tovim before quite well and survived.....
That said:
Aaaaaaack!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rivki Silver said...

It's amazing how Elul snuck up on me, even though I actually thought about it on Tu B'Av (no, seriously, I really did). This year, not only do I have the pleasure of preparing for a 3-day YT, but I'm also due Erev Sukkos. Hahahaaa!

Trudy said...

Trouble is that even all the planning now can't take away the fact that yomtov is 3 days and that can be tough no matter what you do ahead. Still, I have to agree that some things could be done well before yomtov to make it a bit less hectic.

Lakewood Falling Down said...

Good advice! Now don't be a tease and tell us you prepared, but you don't post your Challah recipe

Anonymous said...

I had to send in requests for Yom Tov seats at my shule at the beginning of July this year, so I started thinking about Yom Tov then. I will cook the week before and anything that doesn't get done won't be done. At least its not Pesach preparation!