Photos May Be Prettier of a Table Set with China, But Memories Served Up on a Paper Plate are Every Bit as Good.
My friend recently shared a story about someone special that made my heart smile. “I just want to come over and put my feet under your dining room table, ” he said. Isn’t that beautiful? I think of those words so often and the sentiment that they embrace.
The simple act of preparing a meal and the experience of sharing life over dinner in your home creates a much needed moment to exhale.
Hand written menu cards are a favorite way to share the intentionality of a special evening.
Cooking and sharing a meal is my love language, so we have people over for dinner often. I truly enjoy every part of entertaining from planning to setting a special table, organizing the menu, preparing the meal and finding just the right playlist. We had a beautiful evening this past weekend with some special friends.
July inspired everything from the centerpiece to the menu. The blue hydrangeas here have started to fade and the early white blooms have begun to antique, so the flowers for the table turned to hostas and ferns.
Our garden is full of tomatoes and the peach tree has its own gifts to share. The local farmers market had squash and zucchini and a dear friend filled the refrigerator with beautiful lump crabmeat.
From this bounty and a few of my favorite cookbooks, a fabulous summer menu was born.
Menu
Aperol spritz
Shrimp Cocktail
Gazpacho with Brian’s tomatoes
Summer squash ribbons with crab, jalapeño, basil and mint
Grilled peaches, blue cheese and Truitt House Honey
Sgroppino
Everything was prepped the day before and dinner for ten was a breeze. The entree of summer squash and crab came together for the entire party in less than 5 minutes.
The execution was easy enough with help from one very dear lady who makes my serving and clearing dreams come true! When the evening is over, everything is put away and the next morning, I’m left with a centerpiece and the memory of a really good night.
Last minute touches before calling everyone in for dinner.
Dinner doesn’t have to be courses and china. One of the most memorable dinners we’ve had in Suffolk involved neighbors dropping by and a scavenger hunt through the refrigerator for an impromptu salad. I remember the night, the friends and the salad we made together…but what was the entree?
Friends and food just go together. It needn’t be fancy, but honestly, photos are prettier of a table set with china. But the memories are just as good with a paper plate.
Open your home, set your table, and make some memories.
It will fill your cup.
