What’s Cookin’ in the Parsonage?

I know you’re probably tired of hearing about me being on vacation, but isn’t that what summer’s about? We returned home Saturday evening after attending a sweet wedding in North Carolina. Thus, we got home around seven or so, unpacked some, then got ready for bed. Sunday dinner preparations were not on the top of my list of priorities after a busy day of travel.

We ended up going to Atlanta Bread Company with church friends for dinner yesterday. We’d never eaten there on a Sunday, but it was so pleasant. There was virtually no wait by the time we got there at 1:00 and the music was so nice. As someone in our group commented, it didn’t contradict the worship service. We had good fellowship with new friends visiting and “old” church friends alike.

We really don’t go out on Sunday very often. We much prefer coming home to eat. It’s quiet and dinner is on the table shortly after we arrive, which is a good thing because we’re all starved it seems! We also just enjoy being home. When our girls were growing up I tried to follow my mom’s example and use Sundays to bring out the good china and crystal. I wanted my girls to learn to be comfortable with a more formal setting at a table so they would know how to handle themselves when they encountered it at a later time. We’d put out a salad, dessert and regular dinner forks. I taught them to wait until the hostess (me!) starts eating her food before they start (the same for eating dessert). We weren’t starchy and formal – just a little more fancy than at our weekday dinner time. It’s a part of training.

Could I encourage you moms of boys to teach your sons the same kind of manners? They shouldn’t be afraid to use a cloth napkin, put it in their lap, and know which fork to use when there are several to choose from. Teach them to seat a lady, to wait for the hostess, to know that their salad is on their left and their glass is on the right. Even real men (heaven knows we need more of them!) can eat with good manners.

Sunday is a good day to do something special. Break out that pretty china instead of saving it. What are you saving it for anyway? If it gets chipped it’s okay. Use it! Make Sunday dinner a bit more fancy, but special. It will create good memories and well mannered children!