Cold Weather, Good Company, and Good Food

Last night I made a lovely stew in an even lovlier Polish pottery roaster. Joining us for dinner were my brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Rob and Cec, and my good friend for practically forever, Neta. We enjoyed stew and biscuits and wine and lots of laughter. We talked of childhood memories of soups made by mothers eaten with crackers spread with butter and meatloaf and tuna casserole. Memories of so many wonderful meals made with love. It was a wonderful evening.

I love to feed people. It is one of the great joys of my life. I have thought often about ways to incorporate my love of cooking into a job. Prior to the economy going south, I thought about offering personal meal service for busy professionals and moms (or dads) who just need a break from the everyday demands of preparing dinner for themselves and/or their families. Unfortunately, before I could work out all the logistical issues associated with this, the economy took a nose dive, and I knew that my service would be one that people would not utilize in these tough times. I have long dreamed of owning and operating a bed and breakfast. This is still a possibility at some point in the future when the economy picks back up.

Guess it is a good thing I love dishes since I also love to feed people!

Nothing would be more tiresome than eating and drinking if God had not made them a pleasure as well as a necessity. ~~ Voltaire

What makes me . . .

What makes me love dishes so very, very much? I have no earthly idea unless it is genetic as my mom too loves beautiful dishes. I truly love everything that goes into a home but most especially anything I can use in the kitchen and dining room. My friends and family tease me about my dish habit, but I just cannot seem to get enough! From Polish pottery shopped for and sent by my dear friend, Ginger, to simple items in basic white from Pottery Barn - I love them all. Every year I find something from a potter at Art in the Park; a bowl, a mug (or 2), a baking dish, etc. My latte bowls in a stunning aqua from anthropologie make my heart SING! I get such joy from setting the table with my many lovely dishes. In the summer I love to have friends over and use my seashell plates with clamshell salad plates and beautiful aqua hurricane glasses from Pottery Barn for dinner. I can almost feel the sand between my toes and taste the salty ocean air when we sit down for dinner. My friend, Neta, says it is like going on a tropical vacation when she joins us for these seaside themed meals.

I am addicted to cookbooks as well. I received 3 new cookbooks this Christmas! I love to look at them for hours (when I should be cleaning), and I love trying new recipes out of them. I have shelf upon shelf of cookbooks; each one a treasured friend.