Being the family matriarch is hard work.

[Siwsan]

I had to laugh, yesterday. After the meal was over and people were getting ready to leave, someone said 'Well, this was a pretty easy dinner!' I just smiled. I spent Saturday scurrying around, cleaning the house. That continued yesterday morning, along with getting all of the fur babies taken care of. I made the side dishes, pulled out the table so I could put in the extensions, set the table, prepared appetizers, got the wine ready, chased the kid cats OFF of the table (I ended up putting the plates upside down), and then cleaned myself up and changed out of sweats.

Once everyone arrived I put out the appetizers and made sure everyone had wine. Also had to keep checking on the kidcats because except for Madoc, none of them particularly like it when I have company. That kind of causes me some stress.

I tried to keep up on the prep dishes as I made things and then got the dinner stuff washed before I brought out the dessert. After everyone left I washed the dessert stuff and the wine glasses. This morning I washed what ever I missed yesterday.

So, yea, easy squeezy.

The only thing I wasn't responsible for was the main dish - smoked lamb chops. They were delightful. I'll make a Shepard's Pie out of the left overs I kept. Not today, though. Reheating theft over shrimp with sugar peas will be much less labor intensive.

This old dame is taking today OFF. I might be getting too old for this holiday dinner hosting gig

[AllaN01Bear]

1. my family is scattered to the 4 winds , so i mainly do it alone . first i had a peanut butter sandwich.

then much later i had a mini pizza, worked out and enjoyed a nice evening thunderstorm and went to bed .

[Srkdqltr]

2. Good for you you deserve a rest

[Diamond_Dog]

3. Tell me about it!

I totally go through the same thing every holiday (except for kidcats) because I’m the Mom and I end up hosting. There’s no such thing as an “easy holiday family meal.”

Add in the time it took to plan, shop for, and fix the dishes that could be made in advance .

I hear ya!

[XanaDUer2]

4. Def a rest day enjoy nt

[slightlv]

5. Not being Christian,

I didn't celebrate. But I learned a couple of years ago at a family Thanksgiving I hosted, that I was long past my "sell by" date on big dinner preparations. That last one, I even only gave the house a once-over of the bathroom and worst looking rooms. Keeping up with the fur kids is a full time job... they have the run of the house, and it shows (gryn). Funny thing around here is when we have "company" they don't know, you'd swear I only had one cat... if any. It's amazing how quickly they can find hidey-holes far away from any prying eyes -- even those that search for them!! As well, they seem to have a sixth sense as to when the last person is headed out the door... and I get the evil eye from them all, until they get their treat of ham, etc....

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

6. There's a rule: whoever said "this was easy" ...

.. gets to host the next family holiday dinner.

Old Dame, you deserve many days off, especially on holidays.

[No Vested Interest]

7. This family matriarch has long since declared that she (moi) will provide the venue and cash, but...

all preparations must be done by younger generations.
That is the beauty of growing old - you can set the rules, at least in my family.
Honestly, I'm grateful that they step forward so that we can continue to gather on special days.
And, yes, I have nice leftovers waiting me in the refrigerator.