Most of you know we took some time off at the end of 2013. What was to have been a few weeks evolved into months of not writing. We cooked and ate. A lot. But the inspiration to prepare, photograph, and blog that I assumed would come with the advent of the December holiday season and Gus’s return to Maine never materialized. Instead guilt for not being a better communicator about gluten free stuffing, gravy, savory and sweet pies, biscuits, breads… all the amazing food folks make at home for winter gatherings of friends and family… the guilt was palpable. Denver, the dog, probably felt worse about her 2011 kitty-treat transgression, but I felt badly about letting you down. (If you aren’t one of the 33+ million who have watched Denver’s YouTube shame, take 2 minutes.)

“Guilt is a useless feeling. It’s never enough to make you change direction–only enough to make you useless. DANIEL NAVERI, Another Faust. The energy wasted on regret could have been used more constructively. Even the conscious (guilt) self-examination became tedious and burdensome. Those of you who listened are probably nodding.

Lists are often helpful in getting things accomplished. Years ago Mom, an avid list maker, told me that she identifies items she least wants to tackle and does those first. Excellent advice, but this time I wasn’t able to put it to use, despite incentives like Nick offering to make a short film showing how to bake the best GF scones. With music and everything!

Can’t use the guilt, so I’ve mostly let it go (Christmas 2013 isn’t coming back), and encourage others to do their best to live, love, work, and play without it.