Fix-It and Forget-It

Just wondering. . . is it ever too late to talk about good news?

Thanksgiving is a couple of weeks past, but I’m still living in the glow. I got to use my line over and over again whenever someone asked me how my Thanksgiving was.

“Great. Our son-in-law cooked.”

When they did a double-take, I went on. “Yeah, and he wouldn’t let me bring anything.” This let me extend the wonder of this feasting holiday just a little longer when I saw disbelief and then a hint of jealousy crisscross their faces.

What I had was a weeklong holiday. I didn’t fuss over putting a menu together. I didn’t hit six different markets or grocery stores or fill the car half-full of food. Merle and I had a date Wednesday night, and I read all of Thanksgiving morning.

I tried to work off some twinges of guilt that hung around the edges by declaring that Merle and I would do the dishes and the meal cleanup. But there was so much hub-bub during our dinner that somehow our daughter and son-in-law kept sneaking into the kitchen, washing the plates from each course as we finished. When I finally caught on to what they were doing, I was too late.

Here’s the extra triumph—Rob’s a really good cook.

So there’s a whole holiday season just ahead of us. If you want to give a gift that makes somebody really happy, volunteer to cook the big meal they’re already a little anxious about.

Let me testify—it will be a true gift!

Our last course on Thanksgiving Day, after our long walk, was a deliciously moist apple cake. Try this wonderful slow cooker apple cake recipe.