Kitchen

[rms1954]

But I used to love planning and preparing events and having people over for various holidays and birthday celebration dinners and now I'm lucky enough if I even get dinner on the table.  I just don't care anymore.

[Growing]

My. mother used to say the same thing, she was tired of always cooking. And so am I. I rarely cook a big meal anymore and I find entertaining to be phyically difficult with my arthritis. I got tired of doing all the work and I think it is normal as we get older to maybe get tired of the old grind. I know some love ot entertain but honestly, it is a lot of work. 

[ciao_bella]

@rms1954  I used to enjoy entertaining and cooking for many friends and extended family, but that was then and this is now!   I've always been a good cook, even won cooking contests in my younger days, but as we get older the luster and desire for 'entertaining' becomes very tiring and undesirable.  

I do still cook because I have a daughter with disabilites who lives at home.  My adult son lives near by and often stops by to fix things or to say hello (probably checking in on us..lol) .  But, as I've gotten older I look for easier meals to make.  I often post recipes here like sheet pan recipes or easy soups, etc. because it makes life easier.  Having said that, there are those 'days' when I'm not picking up a dish, pot or pan to cook.  When that happens, I do the next best thing and call for take-out.   

Don't beat yourself up for feeling that way.  I just think it all sort of 'catches up with us' because we're so used to doing it for many years and we've now reached a point in our lives where we realize it's not nearly as important as it used to be.  

[RedTop]

@rms1954 

Grief?  

Since my husband passed a year ago this month, cooking has become far less important to me.  There is plenty of food in this house, and I eat well every day, I just don't cook myself a meal every day.  I do cook twice a week when the daughter who lives here is home.  

After my husband passed, I used the entire first year to accept and adjust to my new reality.  I had spent the last 13 years caring for my mother and my husband, I needed time to take care of me, and that was my focus all year.  

I focused on making this first Christmas without my husband, a special one for our girls, no grief allowed.  I cooked a nice meal for them and their boyfriends, which was even nicer than I hoped.  Christmas was very nice and left all of us with happy memories.  

2026 is starting off busy.  I joined a very special group and am registered to attend the state conference, which I'm very excited about.  I intend to make this another year of taking care of me!

I hope you figure out what you need to do for yourself, and do it!  

[charsha]

I ended up hosting 3 different Christmas dinners within 10 days. It took me days to recover from it all, and made me sad as I never had that issue in the past bouncing back. It is so much work prepping everything. Getting older sucks.  But, I did enjoy the festivities!!

[Regal Bee]

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@rms1954 wrote:

But I used to love planning and preparing events and having people over for various holidays and birthday celebration dinners and now I'm lucky enough if I even get dinner on the table.  I just don't care anymore.

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@rms1954  You are entering a different 'season' of your life. It is okay...cut yourself some slack. 

The exact same thing happened to me. I entertained all the time and had energy I couldn't believe...not now. You know what? It is okay. I am giving myself permission to be who I am now.  

[Janey2]

I learned a new word a couple of years ago....caterer. I enjoy my company more and am not frazzled by the time they come. 
@RedTop  you sound like you have everything under control. Enjoy your new endeavors.

[NEvans2]

I can't say I don't care anymore, I just don't have the energy anymore. I hosted Christmas at my house fo 25 years. The last two years my sister had it. She was willing to have it again this year, but no one wanted drive the hour to her house. The solution I came up with didn't go over well with her branch of the family. Oh well! 

 I was really hoping by now that the next generation would take up the holidays, but I guess not.

  At the age of almost 71 I just don't have the energy to have 30 people for Christmas dinner. Yes, everyone brings something. But lets face it, the majority of work is on the person that hosts.

  Go Steelers!💛

[Roscoe the Rascal]

I never liked entertaining a large crowd.  Too much work before and after.

I was never a big cook and my husband did most of the cooking.  I like creating simple meals.  I'm lucky my daughter and her family live next door so when I feel like cooking I share and she does the same.  

[on the bay]

When the top of the microwave just flew off and fell on my arm I told my daughter that fortunately the microwave still works because if it didn't that would be an emergency lol!

I did use to make dinners and loved to give my kids and their friends birthday parties and I did bake a lot.

I just made corn muffins today like my grandmother made. I haven't baked anything in a hundred years. And even that was more work than I imagined. I'd rather clean. And I am sore. You know stirring and everything!