Power Nap #116
I'm flustered and not sure why / 5 hosting tips from a pro / a ton of movie content!!
Flustered, and unsure why
Hey friends! We are back from NYC and I am still smiling from the trip. It was a BLAST! Maybe I had low expectations? Likely. But my goodness it exceeded them. I will have a separate post coming with details for those wanting them, but for now, I hope this email finds you well. It finds me…ok. Flustered, if I am honest. For some reason this December has been a lot harder for me logistically. I told Nate I can’t seem to feel caught up, and I am not sure why. Did I take on more than years past, or do the kids just require more? I know we had NYC in there, but that really felt like a respite in a lot of ways…no meals to think for or household tasks. Do you guys feel similar? Anyways, here’s to hoping it slows down, because I do not like this feeling and I can’t pinpoint why it’s worse this year.
5 Hosting Tips from Vera
Hey friends! I recently got to do an interview with Vera Stewart, cookbook author and host of The VeryVera Show. You can find Vera on Instagram @veryverastewart and her website – veryvera.com. She is a hosting expert based in Augusta, GA so I asked her if she would share some hosting tips with the Naptime Kitchen audience seeing as many will likely have some extra people around their table in the coming week. You KNOW I love tip #1 and tip #3 really freed me up!
Utilize your freezer: Many items—like casseroles and desserts—freeze beautifully. Prep them days or weeks in advance and thaw the day before serving so you can spread out the work and prep when you have pockets of time.
Break out the china… or not!: If your fancy china sparks joy, then use it! If the idea of extra cleanup adds stress, then opt for stylish disposable plates and
serve-ware.
Serve what you love: Holiday menus don’t have to be traditional to be meaningful. Lean on family favorites or tried-and-true recipes to not only impress your guests but also eliminate the stress that naturally comes with trying something new when entertaining.
Mix-and-match: Don’t feel obligated to make everything from scratch! Grab your favorite store-bought appetizer or dessert and simply re-plate for a more personalized look.
Remember the reason: The real magic comes from time shared with loved ones—not the size of your kitchen, the number of homemade dishes, or how spotless your house is. The way you make your guests feel is far greater than everything else!
In Case You Missed It
Here’s a one-pot meal: chicken and rice salsa verde bowls (picky eater approved!)
This has been my go-to breakfast lately.
Wanna know why I workout? This is what I’m actually training for…
You all did not disappoint with suggestions for the Family Movie List. Here is the new list with recommendations from the Naptime Kitchen community:
“The most valuable personal finance asset is not needing to impress anyone.”
- Morgan Housel
Nate’s Movie Reviews
Henry Sugar (2024) — Rewatch. Directed by Wes Anderson, this 39-minute short film is about a wealthy man (Benedict Cumberbatch) who learns to see without using his eyes. It’s for adults, but the kids watched it with me and were glued.
The Phoenician Scheme (2025) — New Wes Anderson. Wealthy businessman Zsa-zsa Korda appoints his only daughter, a nun, as sole heir to his estate. As Korda embarks on a new enterprise, they soon become the target of scheming tycoons, foreign terrorists, and determined assassins. “Even Anderson’s mediocre content is better than just about anything Hollywood puts out these days.” And this one is better than mediocre. Benicio Del Toro and Michael Cera shine.
The Amateur (2025) — I think I like Rami Malek? And I know that I like spy thrillers where they are gallivanting across Europe. Genre sweet spot for me.
Operation Mincemeat (2021) — Watched with Kate. World War II espionage drama that tells the fascinating true story of British deception using a corpse to mislead the Nazis. The pace drags at times, but Colin Firth is a very good actor. Also a fan of Matthew “Tom Wambsgans” Macfadyen.
A Most Wanted Man (2014) — Spy movie based on John le Carre’s novel. The story follows a German intelligence officer in Hamburg, as he tries to navigate the post-9/11 world of counterterrorism. Philip Seymour Hoffman (RIP) and Rachel McAdams shine. Good if you like spy movies.
We Live in Time (2024) — This is a sad love story that uses a nonlinear structure to trace the arc of a relationship. It is not a spoiler to say it involves cancer. It did move me. As usual, Andrew Garfield is a delight. Also, Florence Pugh, who I also like, has the best agent in Hollywood. I swear she is in like every movie. (If you were wondering, her best performance is Little Women).
Inglorious Basterds (2009) -- Rewatch. It had been a long time. I am not a big fan of Tarantino’s gore. I honestly feel like it detracts from the other awesome things about the movie: the dialogue, the music, the scenery, and the cast. Many of the characters I find exceptionally likable, even the bad guys. On the whole, this is a very good movie.
Heat (1995) -- ChatGPT told me that it thinks I would like Michael Mann movies, so I tried this one. Despite it having a great cast: Al Pacino is the cop, De Niro is the criminal, Val Kilmer is also a criminal. I just didn’t get into it. And it was long (2:45).
No Sudden Move (2021) -- Lots of star power in this gangster-crime thriller set in 1950s Detroit: Don Cheadle, Benicio Del Toro, Brendan Fraser, Kieran Culkin, and Matt Damon (who, oddly, has only a minor role). Steven Soderbergh directs (Oceans 11, 12, 13, and others). Overall, I liked it; although I was slightly confused by the ending.
Spy Game (2001) - One of the first spy movies I ever watched starring two of the greats: Brad Pitt and Robert Redford. Gets better every time I watch it. Yes, I did call Kate’s pregnancy with John Robert “Operation Dinner Out” and send out a text that said “Operation Dinner Out is a Go” when we left for the hospital.
Guys I am SO excited to do The Home Reset this year. Maybe it’s the excess clutter that comes with December, but I am itching to get to work on continuing to make our home serve us in our current season of life. If you’re new, I created this audio course back in 2020 (and re-recorded/added episodes last year!) to reset all the chaos that slowly creeps into our homes. I have been doing it bi-annually with you all ever since! Mind you, this is not just about decluttering; this is about changing the very foundation of how you think about your home. Twice a year I put it on big sale and starting January 1 it will be 25% off!!! If you want to know more about what it is and stay updated with the sale period, click below! You can also read more here.
Love these movie reviews! Thanks, Nate!
Love the recipes and will definitely be trying them! I started to tear up with you carrying your 'baby' up the stairs in NY. Gah! It's so precious how God made us to be STRONG in different ways 🤍 also, thanks Nate for the movie ideas! Yahoo!