We went out to eat yesterday. It reminded me of my childhood. When I was very little, we would go to the base “chow hall” for holiday meals. I didn’t understand until I was much older that it was more about my dad making an appearance than my mom not cooking, but it was always delicious and it meant no after dinner clean-up, so I loved the tradition.
Fast forward several decades to now. Our neighbors had been trying to get a reservation to an in-demand Valley hotspot known for its holiday meals. Tonto Bar and Grill in Cave Creek puts out a spread worthy of its reputation. From the triple mini-appetizer starter and right on through to the pair of desserts, we loved our food and cleaned our plates.
The problem is that we really did clean our plates. There weren’t enough leftovers to even consider a take-home box. That means the refrigerator, which should be jammed to the gills with Thanksgiving leftovers, is nearly empty.
Kathleen said she plans to make a turkey breast and stuffing in the next day or two just for the leftovers. I laughed, but here I am on Black Friday morning, wishing there was a little stuffing in the fridge for breakfast. After all, aren’t leftovers as much a part of the holiday tradition as the meal itself?
I’m so grateful for the holidays and the delicious once-a-year treats on the horizon. I’m grateful for the space in the fridge I can fill up with all the goodies I’ll be making and sharing in the coming weeks. I’m joyful for the delicious meal shared with friends yesterday … but I will miss the leftover stuffing.
There’s a whole world out there just waiting to be explored. Save a little for the next day.
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