Little Mission: Christmas Game Casserole Recipe for Your Guests

Little Mission: Christmas Game Casserole Recipe for Your Guests

relax whilst your Mary Berry Christmas Game Casserole ready to serve with mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables
Stunning Christmas calmness with Country Abodes
Mary Berry Christmas Game Casserole ready to serve with mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables.

Preparing Ahead

winter sun on a. devon beach whilst Mary Berry Christmas Game Casserolecooks
What’s better than a Christmas Walk on the beach before coming home to a delicious meal with the family.
get ahead with wrapping whilst your christmas game casserole cooks
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Is It Possible To Be Too Kind?

Is It Possible To Be Too Kind?

Kindness is a type of behavior marked by acts of generosity, consideration, rendering assistant or concern for others, without expecting praise or reward in return.

WIKIPEDIA

The Oxford English Dictionary, Kindness is “the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.”

two cups and a vase of flowers outside on a table, discussing kindness and being too kind
a possible example of being too kind gesture.

It’s important to be aware of your own boundaries and to act from a place of authenticity..

If this resonates with you, you may wish to read a blog I’ve previously written about Boundaries and Friendships which might help.

As Audrey Hepburn wisely said:

“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.”

AUDREY HEBURN
image of me sitting overlooking Dartmoor as the sun rises reflecting on being too kind.

“How do we change the world? One random act of Kindness at a time”

MORGAN FREEMAN

Charlie Mackesy's Boy and the mole, kindest and being too kind

As we celebrate World Kindness Day, I’m reminded of Morgan Freeman’s words: “How do we change the world? One random act of kindness at a time.” Kindness doesn’t need to be grand—it can be a simple smile, a thoughtful message, or checking in on someone who might need it.

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Christmas Food Prep Made Easy: Stress-Free Recipes & Tips

Christmas Food Prep Made Easy: Stress-Free Recipes & Tips

Garden Trading Company decorations for a stress free Chris
Garden Trading Company

“Christmas will always be as long as we stand heart to heart and hand in hand.”

DR SEUSS
Mary Berry Christmas Book, your ultimate guide to a stress free christmas

Christmas Eve is the perfect time to lay the table, chop your vegetables and double-check timings. I always put on a festive playlist, pour something bubbly and get into the spirit while I prep, it turns the jobs into moments to enjoy, especially if the family get involved too! One of our favourite make-ahead meals for Christmas Eve is a relaxed, cosy dinner that sets the tone for the celebrations.

Festive mulled wine prepared in advance for a stress free Christmas food prep
festive display of candles preparation in advance for a stress free Christmas and christmas food prep
The scent of Christmas – The White Company

“My secret to Christmas this year, as it is every year, is my to-do list. I’m always in charge if preparing the lunch – I like to think of it as simply a big roast dinner”  

MARY BERRY
Roast parsnips prepared in advance for a stress free Christmas food prep

Method:

Roast sprouts prepared in advance for a stress free Christmas
Roast carrots prepared in advance for a stress free Christmas

“Christmas is about sharing our homes with the people who matter to us the most. And a little planning goes a long way in making every room sparkle, cosset and glow.

From the thoughtful touches to the most memorable moments, we’re all set to help you make your home a place of celebration, comfort and joy this season.”

NEPTUNE
lemon posset in glass dishes prepared in advance for a stress free Christmas food prep

“Christmas isn’t a season. It’s a feeling.”

EDNA FERBER

“Christmas is a together-y sort of holiday.”

WINNIE THE POOH
christmas bauble on the tree ready for a stress free Christmas food prep

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Blogs you might also enjoy:

One Thing That Will Help You When There Aren’t Enough Hours In The Day.

How To Recharge Your Batteries In One Powerful Hour.

Little Mission ~ Prepare Game Casserole For Your Guests

How Many Times Do You Catch The Ball..?

How Many Times Do You Catch The Ball..?

Relaxing morning scene with coffee and croissant, reminding us to drop the ball and slow down

“If someone throws you the ball, you don’t have to catch it”

Such wise words from Richard Carlson, a concept that has stayed with me for years.

In today’s blog, I’m revisiting this idea through a 2025 lens, because if there’s one thing modern life has taught us, it’s this: we are surrounded by flying balls every single day. Expectations. Notifications. Opinions. Urgent messages. Other people’s emotions, dramas, dilemmas and deadlines. And somehow, without meaning to, we end up believing that we must catch every one.

And life feels so much lighter when we stop trying.

Calm lifestyle setup with flowers, book, and candle symbolising mindfulness and letting go of the ball

Often our inner struggles or stresses come from our tendency to jump on board someone else’s problem. A friend calls in a panic “My job / mother / cat is driving me crazy. What should I do?”

Before we’ve even taken a breath, we’re problem-solving, reassuring, rearranging our day and absorbing the emotional weight of a situation that isn’t ours to carry.

Sound familiar?

It’s okay to say No..

Repeat that out loud!!

As Carson reminds us learning not to catch every ball is a powerful way to protect your peace.

“Remembering you don’t have to catch the ball is a very effective way to reduce the stress in your life. When your friend calls, you can drop the ball, meaning you don’t have to participate simply because he or she is attempting to lure you in.

This doesn’t mean we stop caring about our friends. it means we honour our own limits.

As Brene Brown beautifully says:

“Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.” 
Brené Brown

Peaceful sea at sunset representing clarity and choosing which balls to catch in life

Every Notification Is A Ball.

“Will this matter a year from now?”

A Little Story About Our Wedding.

Wedding flowers capturing joyful chaos and perspective, illustrating when to let go of the ball

No. Not at all.

Choosing Which balls To Catch.

Peaceful sea at sunset representing clarity and choosing which balls to catch in life

Vulnerability is not about winning or losing. It’s having the courage to show up even when you can’t control the outcome.

Brene Brown.

We all need a smile.. A gentle reminder that even the smallest shifts; in clothing, in boundaries, in energy and mindset can create the biggest sense of relief!

“It’s outstanding how much ones stress level goes down with the simple switching of skinny jeans to yoga pants”

Unknown

Hand holding a steaming green mug surrounded by plants, representing calm, mindfulness, and choosing which balls to catch.

So, How Many Balls Will You Catch This Week?

I know I’ve caught a few already!

But awareness is everything isn’t it and once you start noticing, you can begin dropping the ones that drain you, distract you or simply don’t belong to you.

And let me know how you get on.

Sending love and best wishes,

Welcome To The Woman On A Mission Blog!

Welcome To The Woman On A Mission Blog!

image of me sitting on a chair

These mini missions are small but effective. One a week adds up to 52 in a year, 52 ways to bring positive, motivating habits into your life. Here on the blog and my Instagram, I share “mini missions” and Power Hours, small actions that can make a surprisingly big difference.

laptop, glasses and a mug of coffee