While we serve at The Wilds this summer and befriend the sponsors who bring their kids to camp, I have the blessing of teaching a ladies’ session each Wednesday afternoon. As a part of our time together, I long to show hospitality and create fellowship among the women. It’s a bit challenging, but I believe if we ask the Lord how we can be hospitable, He will make a way.
As I prayed about how to do that this summer, the Lord brought my Strawberry Freezer Jam from last summer to mind. I made a lot, and it needs to be eaten! I wondered how I could use it, then I thought of Hot Pepper Jelly poured over cream cheese. I knew that would make a great little snack to serve my new friends at camp! Then I set to work to turn my freezer jam into hot pepper jelly! It was an easy task!
The tastiest thing I made and ate at Christmas wasn’t part of the Christmas dinner, it was Christmas Eve when we have a simpler meal of soups, little sandwiches, cheese ball and cookies.
I made two soups this year – Sausage Corn Chowder and Chicken Gnocchi. I also made our traditional Party Ryes. What tasted especially good to me was the gnocchi and Party Ryes. The flavors, the textures, the deliciousness in those two menu items was unforgettable!
This summer when our city was having the fair, our small group from church was scheduled to have our monthly dinner together. My husband suggested that we fix “Fair food” for our meal. We all jumped on that idea like… mustard on a corn dog!
I was anxious to try my hand at making at home!
As it turns out, they were very easy to make and we loved them!
When our daughter Whitney and her husband, Paul knew the Lord was leading them to adopt, I wondered about how myself and others could help provide for their needs. We all know what happens at a birth – a shower is given where the parents are, well, showered with all the necessities.
But what about a couple who’s been married 12 years and are adopting older children? I went searching the Internet looking for ideas, and came up with little help.
We are traditionalists on most holidays. The same foods are usually served each year on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. But you know what? Sometimes it’s really fun to break out of that “mold” and do something completely different! That’s what happened this year.
My daughter hosted us for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and she and her sister did all the food. Not only did I not contribute to the meal, I wasn’t allowed to lift a finger. That was a gift in itself. They are the sweetest.
Here are the meals they planned and prepared.
Christmas Eve night, they had all appetizers. (BTW, This would make a great menu for New Year’s Eve, too!)
We had a mid-morning brunch on Christmas morning. The egg casserole Whitney made was a.maz.ing! It had all the brunchy feels to it and balanced out the sweetness of the Pioneer Woman Cinnamon Rolls that Alli and her husband made! What a way to start the day!
Learn from a 5-year old how to eat a cookie. Fill your plate with your favorites. Look carefully at the cookie to decide which corner to attack first. Then go in and nibble away until completely devoured!
After church yesterday we were blessed to host everyone for Sunday dinner. It was very impromptu, but I made a simple meal everyone loves – Soup beans and cornbread. I used the simple recipe I’ve shared here. This is such a great meal for ease and for comfort. I served it with roasted potatoes, cornbread, and cooked apples. Even our little guys love this meal.
All these meals were great, yes, but the best part was sitting around the table as a family, thanking the Lord, chatting, laughing, listening, watching, loving, caring and serving. That’s what mealtime is all about.
Plan something simple this week and invite others to join around your table. Eat slowly. Make conversation. Serve them. Love them. There’s nothing that tastes any better!
What kind of foods did your family share over Chrismtas?
RefreshHer 