Traditional Tables

As a kid growing up in the 60s and 70s, one of the things we did as a family was eat dinner.  We always set the table with the whole deal:  plate, silverware, glasses, napkins.  It was a ritual of sorts to set the table.  Both my sister and I learned how to set a dinner table for our daily meals, and we also learned how to set a table for a special occasion.  This was back in the day before there was Martha Stewart to guide us to setting a beautiful table.  But there was always special china, the fork on the left, the knife and spoon on the right, a nice folded napkin, water glasses and wine glasses for the adults.  There was also always a centerpiece, usually themed to the holiday, sometimes with candles, sometimes flowers, or even both! 

There's a special feeling when you see a perfectly set table.  Somehow you just know that a beautiful table means a very good meal, and really good fellowship with friends and family.  

Think about the last time you sat down to a special meal, with beautiful place settings.  It wasn't just the actual setting, there's a sense in your soul that this will be a meal to remember.  We had so many of these kinds of family meals!  Here we were in 1967, family gathered around the table, Mom's china place settings -- the grownups even have their wine already!   

Even if it's not a special occasion, set an elegant table, and see how different your meal can be!

Bon Appetit! 

The Celebrating Table

Food is a way of life, and a huge part of our celebrations.  Everything seems to revolve around food; when we're happy we celebrate with food, when we're feeling blue we reach for something comforting.  When we're busy sometimes all we have time for is to grab something handy or quick.  

When I was growing up, we ate meals around the table as a family.  Every.  Single.  Day.  And as a teenager, I tried to figure out how to get out of it, to find a way to eat while watching TV perhaps.  But Mom and Dad were adamant about dinner as a family.  As I grew up and matured, I made my own choices.  By the time I had kids of my own, I found myself insisting on eating dinner as a family around the table.  Every.  Single.  Day.

When I remarried and created a blended family of six kids, I found this to be a very effective way to keep the lines of communication open between kids and adults.  One of the things we learned was that asking a general question such as "How was school?"  got us the standard answer:  "Fine".  We soon learned to ask questions in a different way.  "What did you learn in school today?"  Not every kid wanted to volunteer a lot of information, but it was a way to start discussions, to learn how to speak our minds, and to learn about how others are thinking or feeling.

When you're the cook or chef for the main meal on a daily basis, it can be stressful at times.  Every kid comes home from school and asks "What's for dinner?"  It's up to us to decide what the meal will be.  It could be something as simple as soup and grilled cheese, or your traditional Thanksgiving turkey with stuffing and gravy.  Either way, gather your family around the table, set it with paper and plastic, or your best china.  We know without food we die.  But without fellowship, that time with family, life is not worth living.   Let's eat! 

My stoneware "Linda" by Vernon Kilns, and some dolls, for fun!