Mary Margaret, yes, you ARE their great Guru. If you weren't, your friends and family wouldn't keep coming around for your advice.

Have you tried sending the guys out to get a pizza or other take out when you've got a house full around dinner time? Give yourself permission to enjoy your company without the extra work. Just speak up and say: "Hey, I'm tired of cooking all the time. How about we order out?"

Jean

Big number of guests for the weekend are a mixed blessing. When we lived in the country we used to greet guests with:"What did you bring?" If it was beer or cold food it needed refrigerating on hot days. If it was a pot of soup or pies it might need to be heated. No-one came empty handed and expected meals served to them, they all got up and helped.

It is a good idea to ask guests to bring a contribution if not the whole meal, fresh cookies and cake make afternoon tea, fresh eggs and bacon make breakfast (sorry Sandy!!) .Some do need to be asked but they fade away after a while.

Take Jeans suggestion, order take out, sit down and enjoy!

Sue.

Yes, speak up and say you need some help, have every one pitch in some $$ and order out or at our grocery store they have whole chickens already cooked, potato salad in the deli section. Or say hey your welcome to come but it's pot luck ...

You are not the everready bunny..... you need some time to rec harge

Bonnie