My Kitchen Table – Settings & Sustenance

We all have to eat.  But what we fix and how we serve it can make a huge  difference in how much enjoyment we give ourselves and those with whom we share the meal. I can remember growing up that my mom always made the table and the food a special part of each day.  I don’t go overboard on a regular day, but I try to make the food and the table inviting.  Today’s post is just a little glimpse into how I set the table and what meals we’ve been enjoying recently.

Al Fresco Dining – Once the weather turns warm, we eat outside as often as possible!  One morning recently I took breakfast outside to the front porch where the sun was shining and ate sitting in a rocking chair.  That’s even better than Cracker Barrel!

Ham and Tomato Omelet
Strawberry Cinnamon Muffin
Fresh Fruit
Coffee

We ate casually at the dining room table when most of my family was home recently.  I fixed a favorite dish of my girls and then we enjoyed dessert, compliments of Alli!

I served the meal buffet style with all the silverware and plates piled onto the counter so everyone could fill their plate then head to the table where they would be comfortable for the meal.

Beef Enchiladas
Refried Beans
Spanish Rice
Guacamole
No-Bake Cheesecake

Alli’s cheesecake was so good it should be outlawed!  Wow.  When she brought into the kitchen she said, “This is ugly but it tastes really good!”  So when I served it I told her we’d dress it up a little.  This just shows how a little effort can make something look a little fancier or special when it’s served.  I used my Fiesta plates, put a white paper doily, place the cheesecake on it, then put a fresh strawberry on top for a pop of color!  It turned it into a fancy looking dessert!

I love making Sunday dinner as special as The Lord’s Day truly is.  I don’t always use my china, but I try to use it often for this dinner.  Whitney joined us for dinner, too, so we had good reason to make it special!  The lovely tablecloth is a vintage linen given to me by a friend.  I love it.  Since the pattern is a little large, I made the centerpiece simple and kept the napkins neutral so it wouldn’t look too busy.

Hot Chicken Salad
Ina Garten’s Potato Salad with Dill
Green Salad with Blackberries
Buttermilk Biscuits – Cooking Light
(I’ll share this recipe soon!)

A weeknight supper for my husband and me, using the vintage tablecloth with my asparagus fern as the centerpiece.  It’s just the two of us, but we always sit at the table so we can enjoy the meal and chat together while we eat.

Turkey Kielbasa
Homemade (by a friend!) Sauerkraut
Peas with Onions
Tomatoes and Cottage Cheese

I love meals at home.  I enjoy the cooking process and also the serving of the meal.  What a joy to share with others what the Lord has given to us.  Even if it’s just the two of us here, I want to make it a little bit of a special event in our day!

Along the same lines, having a hunger for the Word of God and giving it to others is also a huge blessing.  I’m praying for a greater hunger for His Word.  I want to feast daily, chew on it throughout the day, and then share it with others!  How about you?

Happy eating – both physically and spiritually!

With love from my country kitchen,