Cooks Don't Stuff Themselves

I'm always surprised by (mostly) men who always wish me a Happy Thanksgiving with the added phrase, "Don't stuff yourself".

Speak for yourself.

Any woman (or man) who has cooked an entire Thanksgiving meal all by his lonesome is too TIRED to eat by the time the food is laid out and picture perfect.

I nibble on this or that--mostly the side dishes, but I save my feasting for the weekend to truly enjoy my labor.

It's a lot of work! Am I not right, fellow holiday cooks?

Not that the menfolk don't help, but for the most part Thanksgiving meals are by and large cooked by the women in the family. Greg, who always appreciates how hard I worked at putting together this feast has always washed dishes by hand and put up the leftovers. It's a tradition in our family now. And that's a perfect trade off for me.

By the time the bird, the side dishes and the desserts are made, all I want to do is put my feet up. I don't want to look at food, much less eat it.

My joy is in presenting something extra special for my family and friends. Once my part is over, I want people to eat as much as they want at my table. It doesn't bother me in the least that I'm too tired to eat. This is my gift to my guests.

I'm thankful they cared enough to spend the holiday with me. I'm thankful we have enough to share. --And if they want to thank me, they can clear the table.

I'll feast later--after I've recuperated.

Comments

Jennifer Shirk said…
YEs, that's so true! Maybe because we're around the food for hours before it hits the table? But by the time everything is ready, I am so not hungry. LOL
Thank goodness for leftovers. :)
Maria Zannini said…
Maybe that's it. I do munch on half the celery when I'm making stuffing, and the good smells do the rest to fill me up.

Which is probably why I always equate Thanksgiving with celery. LOL.
Unknown said…
LOL My mom & her brother have exactly the attitude you do Maria. "I cooked it, now stop asking if I want to eat. Can't even stand the sight of food right now. Is there a game on?"
Shelley Munro said…
Since we don't have a celebration day like this in NZ it's a bit difficult to comment, but it seems like a fair trade to me. Cooking is hard work!
Maria Zannini said…
Catie: LOL!
We should form a guild or something.
Maria Zannini said…
Shelly: Any feast is work, regardless of the holiday.

Christmas is actually more low key for us, but Thanksgiving--sheesh--we pull out all the stops.
Mike Keyton said…
The secret is to drink while you're cooking. It works up an appetite and you sleep more deeply afterwards