This will be my 13^th holiday season since I had weight loss surgery in 2004.  Every year is a little bit different because every year I am a little bit different.  There are a few constants that remain for me so I thought I would share them and see if anyone else feels the same way.

First I invited via email and text, 9 other folks to join hubby, granddaughter, and I for Thanksgiving Dinner.  Thanksgiving is traditionally my holiday in the family.  Last year I went to Hawaii and did not cook.  It was an interesting experience that brought me back to wanting to cook this year.  So, the invite went out and everyone except a couple of relatives have responded.  So now I will plan for them to be here when I size my turkey, plan my sides, etc. and if they don’t show up it’s just more leftovers for everyone else. 

Next comes the menu.  I’ve been doing this for a lot of years so I pretty well know what everyone would like to have, and guess what?  I am not making it.  I am preparing a delicious dinner that will give me the time to enjoy my company instead of being exhausted by the time they walk in the door.  I am also not cooking for an army.  I will cook to feed 12 and that doesn’t mean 10 pounds of stuffing.  I have done this year after year, made huge portions of turkey stuffing plus yams and frozen it and saved it for Christmas dinner at my daughter’s house.  We’ll cook again next month and it will probably not be the same foods.  I actually bought throw away foil 13 x 9 x 2 pans for the stuffing and the yams to make my life really easy.  Oh, did I tell you this all has to be gluten free?  I have decided to make the following for dinner:

• Turkey
• Cranberry sauce
• Gluten free chestnut stuffing (last time I made regular and gluten free)
• Yams whipped with some maple syrup and butter and topped with pecan crumble
• Green beans with orange and almonds
• Dessert will be a tray of my perfect pumpkin protein bake and whatever pies anyone decides to contribute.
• I’ll serve wine, sparkling cider for the kids, water, and later - coffee and tea with dessert.

This is so much less than I have made in years prior that I am bound to get some raised eyebrows.  Fact is, nobody needs more food than that.  Most don’t even need that much.  I will have turkey and a spoonful of everything else, and of course, a glass of wine.  I will spend my time and energy visiting with my company, enjoying as we go around the table sharing what we are thankful for and just visiting, as we haven’t seen each other for several months.

Holidays are about people, enjoying each other’s company, not being annoyed, and not worrying about food.