even the most anal among us (slight raising of hand despite typing) admits that the making of Christmas dinner is a bit stressful. it's not even the anticipation of the kids announcing that they don't LIKE mashed potatoes and gravy all they WANT is a bowl of plain white rice that is the stressful bit.
i can pre-slice carrots and potatoes (and save the water of course), pre-make desserts, have the table laid the night before, fill the pepper and salt shakers (see how nice i am? i put salt on the table when we celebrate our Lord's birthday)...the last hour before the food goes on the table can be stressful. all the sort of last minute things.
it isn't entirely a bad stress. it is anticipation stress. like a wedding?
so anyway. here we go.
this year, we have been invited to spend Christmas lunch at a friend's house. and she is making the ham, turkey, greens, etc. they aren't big on sweets in their family. literally, there is not a lot for me to do but to try and make a dish that involves vegetables that my kids will eat.
i am SO UNCOMFORTABLE with the concept of being catered to on Christmas Day! i am sure if we were in canada our various families would treat us very well, but we would all pitch in...right?
i have bought champagne and i will make a happy birthday Jesus cake because that is what we do on Christmas day. but friend and her fam aren't so big on sweeties, so the cake is no good to them. friend is very competent but not controlling.
what to do, friends? every time i suggest what to bring she says, "darling, you're making some vegetable that your kids will eat and that Jesus cake! enough! i have everything taken care of!"
i am sure she does. should i just accept the gift? take the grace? i don't want to take advantage of a friend. not used to accepting in this way.
my family is so much bigger and louder than hers!
!!!!!!! eee!! after you comment here, head on over to charles' blog and check out my sans makeup face from this morning's annual gingerbread house decorating extravaganza.
we always have teams of two. this year it was girls vs. boys. we had a lot of fun. though both houses were great, i do need to mention that charles brought in outside decorating assistance that the girls team did not have access to. he brought in his special icings that he uses for cakes.
the kids inhaled all the leftover m&m's (at 8am) and have been on a red dye hyper haze all day long. and tomorrow is the church pageant!
Take the gift, honey! She sounds like she truly is happy with the setup the way it is. And have a wonderful time whether your children eat their meals or not. Merry Christmas!
Love always, M xox
Posted by: Mo aka Maureen aka Grandmother aka Mum | December 20, 2008 at 04:15 PM
Im with Moe...Take the gift...enjoy the day...feel no guilt...how many times does someone ask your family over for dinner with the kids???? We get NO INVITES b/c people are terrifed of having four kids in the house...take it..enjoy it...Merry Christmas!! xo lyns
Posted by: lyns | December 21, 2008 at 06:33 AM
Totally agree! You should listen to your mother. You take care of so many people, enjoy being looked after for a change!
But most of all kids-noise-fun-laughter-good food-friends. Fab way to celebrate Christmas!
x
Posted by: Urs | December 21, 2008 at 07:52 AM
Take the gift, and reciprocate if you wish, the following year. But she wants to do this, and you should let her...this is what she wants and it makes her happy to do so. Your enjoyment is the thanks she would be mightily pleased to receive. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Posted by: Jill | December 21, 2008 at 02:54 PM
Accept the offer.You have a true friend.Please give the lady and her family our wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
One last thought. Will she send doggie bags to Canada??
Love to all.....Dad
Posted by: Dad aka GDad Blake | December 22, 2008 at 05:56 AM
just think how stressed out she would feel if you didn't follow directions? how stressed out are you when your short people don't follow directions? she probably has a system and is happy to use it ease your burden for one day. enjoy it, and if it bothers you too much, muscle in on the dishes.
Posted by: knobody | December 22, 2008 at 07:38 AM
Oh, Tess, relax, just enjoy the moment!
Have a great day.
Merry Christmas!
Posted by: Coral | December 22, 2008 at 03:13 PM
Love the idea of a Happy Birthday Jesus cake. Think that I will include this as well.
Posted by: Julia | December 23, 2008 at 02:04 PM
Go, go enjoy some time off. And the houses? Sorry, the boys is much more colorful, yours more straight and strickt. I vote for the boys. (you could have brought icing too, or snitched some of his)
But they are both nice.
Posted by: JoeInVegas | December 24, 2008 at 01:53 AM