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.