Making time to celebrate our dinner table because the moments together are precious and few.
Sometimes there are seasons of life that converge to overwhelm us for weeks at a time. The past five weeks have almost done me in for many reasons, and yet here I am, alive and going forward one step at a time. And now, my book launch, traveling for 10 days and speaking at 2 conferences in Nashville (Wild and Free and Hutchmoot) and hosting an online party in between are only a few of the things on my plate. One moment at a time, one moment at a time.
Yet, having my 5 adult kids home to celebrate life together during this time meant that I was constantly making choices to invest in them instead of working. People take precedence over projects--this is a commitment that I made many years ago.
So, a last weekend, I determined that I would bring the fall colors into our home so that we could enjoy our traditions, even if it meant extending myself a little bit further. My lovies are not home very often, and so I wanted them to know the beauty and loveliness that they had always enjoyed every fall season before this in my home. And, many many meals have been made and consumed and hours and hours of talking, laughing, being together has knit our lives together more closely than before.
First, the welcome lets everyone know they have a place to "sit and rest a spell." I love the reddish-maroon mums. Simple was the aim this year--and Darcy Dog loves retrieving Indian corn in her mouth so it is always rearranged and piled again.
Every morning, I light the candles in my living room and put on music and fill the tea kettle. Pajama'd girls come down first to sip tea, whisper, have quiet times and just enjoy being with each other. I will miss the sweet times we have had. Always, there are birds around the house, sprinkled here and there--it is a Sally thing.
We usually eat cheesy eggs every morning at our breakfast table. I have had this basket of fall apples longer than I can remember. The kitchen table opens up to seat 14 at its biggest and has held lots of secrets shared and memories made.
I couldn't resist the fresh berry plant to poke into fresh carnations. I found this old vintage pitcher last year for $5 in an open air market in Oxford--again, birds! Couldn't resist.
My recipes these days have been for big quantities and everything is consumed in minutes. But I make quiche when I need something fast and easy. Here is a recipe I use when I am in a hurry.
Every day, my table says, "I love you!" And even now, more than ever, because in no time at all, my sweet ones will be spread to the winds, but they will always know they have a sacred place where all of us will belong to one another.
Find The Lifegiving Table at all most of your favorite bookstores.