What’s Cookin’ in the Parsonage?

Sunday dinner is just such a special family time. Growing up in a home that made Sunday dinner a special occasion, gave me the desire to have a special meal with a pretty table most every Sunday. Sunday is a special day, and we enjoyed making dinner something out of the ordinary. So while my girls were growing up, I tried to make a good meal, use the pretty dishes and enjoy our family time around the table.

This weekend were “Puffs moments” over and over. You know what I mean? Tears are there at the slightest prompting. Whitney is planning to be married in 12 days. She was home this weekend to attend the bridal shower our church gave her. It was beautiful. The food was fantastic. The friends were so kind. And of course the gifts she received were also huge blessings. Okay, so right there, my emotions were running high. My dear church family was there to shower her with their love, the Word of God in a challenge that was given, and also with their gifts – what a blessing! My family had also planned to be there at the shower, but the Lord providentially hindered them. That was a disappointment, but when the snowy weather came on Saturday, I was thankful they didn’t get caught in the winter weather! God always goes ahead of us!

But then I also realized that this is probably the last time Whitney will be home as a single gal. That’s a good thing, and I’m truly ready for her to be married, but there’s just so much emotion that goes along with a wedding! Reflections of the past, questions of your preparing your daughter for what lies ahead, and wondering what the Lord will bring into her path are all a part of this time in my life.

Because of all of this, I wanted dinner to be special, so I tried a couple new recipes. They turned out well, and everyone seemed to enjoy them. Both were also good make-ahead dishes – always a plus on a busy Sunday! Here’s the family with Alli behind the camera…

This next picture is so much more the “real” us! I set my camera on my butcher block and set the auto timer on so we could all be in the picture. As we sat and waited for the picture to be taken, my camera was making little “boing” noises to let us know it was about to snap our picture. The noise was so comical sounding and we were have a difficult time keeping our composure. Whitney lost it just as the camera snapped and this is the result…

Then we all lost it! I can’t tell you how often at our dinner table we have erupted into laughter. I remember milk being “spilled” – not from the glass, but from the one who took a sip at the wrong moment! That happened more than once, I promise you.

Yes, special memories are made at the dinner table. That’s what family life is all about, isn’t it? The home is a gift from the Lord. It’s a respite. It’s our responsibility as a wise woman to build our house. Part of that building is the work and planning ahead it takes to get a meal on the table – even on busy Sundays. It’s so worth it – even when pictures can’t be taken, thanks has to be given at the end of the meal rather than before, because no one can pray without laughing, and milk gets “spilled!”