The Perks of Family Dinner

August 24, 2015August 25, 2015 RefreshHer8 Comments

I believe so much in Family Dinner that I think I could almost make myself preach a sermon about it (except I don’t believe women preachers are biblical)! So instead, let me write yet another post about its importance.

One reason I started adding recipes to my blog was so that I might encourage women that they could prepare a little ahead of time and have a nice Sunday dinner for their family. What’s the big deal any way? Why does it matter if we sit down and eat at the table versus everyone grabbing their supper and heading to the television or couch?

Family dinner creates unity in the family. Everyone seated together unites your heart as you share the meal, the table and the experience.
Family dinner makes memories. There are multiple kinds of memories – food, stories told, laughter shared, even delicious aromas.
Family dinner enhances good manners. When you’re seated together at the table, loving instruction and example can be shared about the proper use of utensils and of etiquette.
Family dinner gives time to work together as a family. Setting the table properly, learning to prep food, clearing the dishes, loading the dishwasher, washing and drying dishes all need to be done by all the family. Start with small tasks and lead up to greater ones as the children mature.
Family dinner creates time to connect with one another. You can learn a lot about the day’s happenings when seated at the table.
Family dinner is a great time to introduce new foods to your children. Ask that everyone take one spoon and give it an honest try.
Family dinner is a great time to pray and share burdens. Pray for the meal before you eat, but then if someone shares a burden or hardship from the day, stop and pray.
Family dinner creates a family bond. “Be home in time for dinner” creates in the heart of each child a place where they belong.
Family dinner is a great time for children to bring home guests. Allow your child to invite a friend from time to time. All the reasons above will remind you why that’s a good idea!

A little structure is needed. I would suggest:

Everyone gathers when called.
No one leaves the table unless asked to be excused. Being excused is at the end of the meal, not to randomly get down and go play, then come back and eat a bite, then go play…
Pass the food, teaching to take some and leave enough for everyone to be served.
Try to keep things relaxed. Teaching manners shouldn’t be scolding constantly, but a gentle reminder. Lift your napkin to your lips and say your child’s name to remind them to put their napkin in their lap.

Mom, it’s really up to you to create the atmosphere. Try:

Using cloth napkins (they’re economical and pretty, and far more sturdy than a paper one!)
Add a centerpiece. Flowers from your yard, a bowl of fruit or a candle will do nicely!
Turn on soft music to quiet the atmosphere. If you can’t hear the music in the background, someone’s being too loud at the table. =)
Use your “good dishes” sometimes. Don’t save them just for company! Your family are the most important ones that will gather at your table!
Plan your menu so you can prepare ahead of time. Everyone likes to know what they’re going to have for supper!

So, there’s my sermon!

What do you love about Family Dinner? What makes it difficult to make this happen at your house?

With love from my country kitchen,

Family life

The Hearth in the Home

July 30, 2015August 25, 2015 RefreshHer2 Comments

Will you indulge me to repost some of my “way back yonder” blog posts on Thursday’s? I’ll pick through some of my favorites and find things that I think will be relevant to my readers today. Let’s start with one that focuses on one of my favorite topics: Home.

In yesterday’s patriotic service at our church I participated by reading a monologue as it would be written by the Statue of Liberty. An ending phrase has gone over and over in my mind as I’ve pondered its meaning in my country and my own heart as well. It read…

“O people, restore me to where I can once again see a land of beautiful homes – A land where homes are never separated – a land where home is viewed more by what is on the inside than what is on the outside – a home where these three gifts will always be: the hearth, the flag, and the place of prayer.”

What does it mean to you that you keep alive the gift of the hearth? Wikepdia says that a hearth is “a brick– or stone-lined fireplace or oven used for cooking and/or heating. Because of its nature, in historic times the hearth was considered an integral part of a home, often its central or most important feature: its Latin name is focus.[1]This concept has been generalized to refer to a home place or household, as in the terms “hearth and home” and “keep the home fires burning.” In fireplace design, the hearth is often considered the visible elements of the fireplace, with emphasis upon the floor level extension of masonry associated with the fireplace mantel.

Following this definition I see the hearth as a symbol of the warmth of a family inside a home. It’s not the kind of warmth a real hearth would have brought, but the kind of that comes from being together, spending time talking, sharing in the lives of those that live there with us. I believe this can only be done by the diligence that it took to keep the fire burning in those old- time fireplaces.

One integral part of family warmth is mealtime. I don’t mean the hurry-up and eat and get out of here kind of meal. This is the mealtime where the meal is lingered over, empty plates are pushed back and conversation happens. We have often read a book together after our supper meal. Having Bible reading or devotions works well at this time of day when everyone is gathered together.

The hearth’s warmth can be spread outside to the front porch or the deck. Last weekend we enjoyed having company and spent Friday and Saturday evenings out on the deck talking, sharing dessert and coffee, and also listening to stringed instruments being played and hymns being sung. I could just feel those “home fires burning” during those sweet times of fellowship.

Often the piano in the living room has served as our “hearth.” Because our girls play we have the blessing of being able to gather ’round it and sing together. Game boards have also served in bringing us together in laughter and closeness as games were played with stiff competition and fun.

Each family may interpret the “hearth” in a different way. The important thing is that we do all we can, with the Lord’s strength to keep it burning, and that we each understand that the hearth in the home truly is a gift.

Are you making the most of the gift of your hearth? How are you accomplishing that? Ask the Lord to give you ideas, if that gift isn’t being maximized!

From my hearth,

Finishing Out the Summer Without Boredom!

July 28, 2015August 25, 2015 RefreshHer2 Comments

Maybe summer vacation is over for you, but if your children are still out of school, why not make sure these last few weeks are full of fun?! Don’t let the boredom bug bite them (or you!). Keep things hopping and full of great activities while they can enjoy the beauty of summertime!

Here are some ideas to get you started:

Don’t forget some of the good ol’ standby summer fun things. Such as:

Hopscotch on the driveway
Hula hoops
Sprinkler or water hose jump rope
Cardboard boxes – find a refrigerator box and let the kids make a playhouse or puppet stage.
Make Popsicles
Play hide and seek just as it’s getting dark. Use flashlights to tag!
Don’t forget the library. There are so many fun things to do there!
Wash bicycles in the driveway. Spruce them up with crepe paper and streamers!
Bowl in the driveway with water bottles as the pins.
Make a fort outside.
Put a blanket out under a shady tree and have lunch.
Go to Sonic for half price beverages from 2-4! Take a book to read while sipping!
Have a late night “pajama run” to get ice cream. After the children have just gotten into bed, go through the house calling, “Pajama run! Pajama run! Everyone in the car!” Go through the drive through at Dairy Queen or McDonald’s and enjoy a sweet treat while everyone’s (well, the kids) in their p.j.’s!
Go out and catch fireflies after dark.
Go to the Farmer’s market and buy fresh produce.

Here’s another post with ideas and links.

What great ideas could you add to this list?

Loving summer,

Child training · Family life · summertime

Unplug for Summer!

June 24, 2014June 2, 2025 RefreshHerLeave a comment

I have a confession: I have a pet peeve – it’s children + electronics. Call me old fashioned, a stick-in-the-mud or a fuddy-duddy. It’s okay. I still don’t like children and electronics. When you put an electronic device in a child’s hands, their minds are disengaged. Checked out. They hear nothing around them. They see no one around them. They are in Cyberspace until the beeping of a low battery signals them back to earth.

It’s summertime, moms! Can I encourage you to get your kids outside and on the move? Give them some fun activity to do every day while they’re on break and put a “no-electronics” rule in place. How about sitting down with them and making a list of fun things they’d enjoy doing? Then cut those into strips and drop them into a jar. Let someone choose out one activity each day. Let the anticipation build. Make summertime fun! Why not unplug for summer? Need some suggestions?

If you have a large tree at your house, hang a tree swing in the branches.
Build a fort outside under a tree.
Go to the park and play on the playground equipment. Eat lunch there.
Go to the library and everyone pick out 5 books to read this week.
Attend a Bible club or VBS.
Make Popsicles with fruit juice.
Play in the sprinkler.
Fill up a small swimming pool in the backyard.
Have a lemonade stand and give away cups to people who pass.
Go to the local Hands-on-Museum.
Have a play date with other moms and their children.
Bake cookies.
Wash your bikes. Add streamers to handlebars. Have a bike parade.

Here are other great lists of things to do. Of course Pinterest is full of good suggestions, too. The point is, someone has to plan, and that someone is you, Mom. Don’t let the summer slip by with everyone plopped in front of the television or behind an iPad screen. Make good use of these months to create wonderful memories of fun times as a family!

What activities have you planned for your children this summer?

With love,