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Jesse-Sierra Ross preps a festive table setting at Hotchkiss Library of Sharon Nov. 10. Her book, "Seasons Around the Table," and blog inspires recipes and decorations for every season.
Matthew Kreta
Using an example table for the assembled crowd, Ross encouraged everyone to begin their prep by taking stock of what they have around the house and in their yard. Flowers, bits of grain and fruit may be items already on your property ready for use. Several examples on the table were older household items and cheaper thrift shop purchases on a budget. “Too many people feel that entertaining must be over the top,” Ross said. An example that she used was how all of the plates on the table were not part of a set, but maintained a similar sense of color, texture and feel.
When it comes to the many decorations on your table, Ross is a proponent of the rule of threes. “We are hardwired for odd numbers,” Ross said. Sets of three or five for things like candles or ornaments keep things from being too symmetrical, and create an interesting visual for the eyes to follow. This lack of exact symmetry opens up negative space on the table for guest’s eyes to rest and not be visually overwhelmed. Colors on the table should compliment each other, or directly contrast. Ross encouraged onlookers while adding rose heads to her fruit center piece by saying she is self taught, and that if a ballet dancer could manage to learn all this, so could anyone else.
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When it comes to the menu, Ross recommended making sure everything remains in line with the story that you set at your table while picking one or two superstar dishes. Whatever comes in between, be it appetizers or drinks, should not take too much of your time or be too extravagant. With time especially, Ross was adamant that hosts should try to avoid dishes that require you to slave away while your friends and family miss your company. Entertaining should not leave you on the sidelines the whole night. Ross took many questions during her lecture, and continued as guests enjoyed some refreshments and examined the table up close.
Ross’s blog, with information on her book, recipes, entertaining and television appearances can be found at straighttothehipsbaby.com.
Julianne Roshan Dow guides healing in Kent.
Jin Shin Jyutsu is an ancient Japanese healing art, “similar to acupuncture but without the needles,” explained Dow, harmonizing the body’s energy through gentle touch. The technique addresses emotional and physical challenges, with each finger corresponding to specific emotions and organ functions. The thumb is associated with anxiety and stress, the index finger with fear, middle finger with anger (“makes sense,” laughed Dow), the ring finger with deep grief, and the pinky with doing too much. As Dow explained, “All you need is your hands, and you can even do it with your breath.”
Julianne Roshan Dow with her dog. Yana Russell
Participants have learned practices like the “Emergency Hold,” a technique used in high-stress situations to calm the body and restore balance. Dow also works with animals, teaching owners how to use the practice to provide their pets with the same benefits it offers humans. “This is something that you can do while you’re watching TV, while you’re sitting in the passenger seat of a car,” Dow explained. “Some people do it as part of their meditation practice, but you don’t have to be a meditator to do it.”
While the Wednesday group has been a focused series, Dow envisions expanding her outreach through free “commUNITY self-care classes” possibly at the Kent Library, introducing more people to these transformative practices. Her goal is to empower individuals with tools they can use anytime, anywhere. “This is something that needs to get out there. People don’t know what this is, and it’s time they do.”
On keeping these offerings free of charge, Dow shared, “This is research-based, time-tested self-care and it’s is my offering to the community.” She continued, “Especially in these times, there is and will be a lot of need for self-care.”
For more information, visit juliannedow.com
