Dinner for Four at Five
As I think about what to serve my guests next weekend, I’m reminded of the funny story I heard about the elderly man and women who agreed to meet for dinner at the corner of Seventh Avenue and Central at six o’clock. They never did get together because the man showed up at the corner of Sixth and Central at seven o’clock and the woman waiting in the correct spot decided he had stood her up!
Oh these older years. They’re filled with mishaps like that. Hearing aids, helpful as they can be, don’t always do the job. Now, back to my dinner party. I want to make something tasty to eat but easy to prepare. Soup and a green salad maybe? Pasta and veggies? Sandwiches and chips?
Then I remember that one man can’t handle pasta, another is sensitive to soup because of the salt, sandwiches are difficult for one woman with dentures and another doesn’t like veggies. Okay, blitz that menu. I’ll take the crowd to a local coffee house, pay for everyone to order what they want, and come back to our house for coffee on the patio. Case closed!
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Sometimes you just have to go with the flow or the friends flow right past you. Hail to flexibility. Why didn’t I learn this decades ago? I guess I wasn’t ready. But I am now and life is sweet indeed when I put my priorites in order–an evening with good friends.
“A friend loves at all times…” Proverbs 17:17
And the evening with friends is about so much more than what we serve, isn’t it, Karen. I too get so caught up in trying to plan just the right thing. Lately we’ve been doing more of what you came up with here – taking folks out and just enjoying the time together. I know you’ll have a wonderful time!
Your story about the older man and woman made me laugh! Thanks.
Thanks, Carol. I remember having a wonderful dinner with you and Don at the restaurant in your living complex. It was delicious food and lovely company, as always. And no work or dishes for you and Don. 🙂
Love your plan! I think it is great to go out and let everyone choose what they want. Sometimes it is difficult to know what to serve but I think my husband Herb’s son made the best statement regarding being together for a meal after he and his wife, daughter and their son and wife came to our house for dinner one evening not long ago. We kept a light menu that we knew everone could eat and the meal was great. However, the best thing was what Dale said to me over the phone the next day: “Margaret the food was great but the best part was the fellowship”. What a gift!! When we have guests we do have to make sure we have things they can eat but I realize now that the best part is the fellowship!
Thanks, Karen, for another good thought. Love to you, Margaret
Thanks for sharing your experience, Margaret. The older I get the more I too, relish good friendships.
Hi Karen,
I identified with the old man who messed up on the time. I have missed two appointments because of the way my calendar is set up. Now I put the day on the top of each day on my calendar. That will eliminate that problem. For the past year and a half when our family gets together for birthdays and holiday celebrations, I ask them to order what everyone wants and Billy (Vanessa’ husband) picks up the food. For the past two years Vanessa and Billy host all of our celebrations for the past two years since they have their own home. For twenty years I would be the one to do all of the cooking at my home. Life is so much more relaxing now that my six grandchildren can play outside at their home instead of mine.it up would always cook for the family events. It’s so much more relaxing and we have a wonderful time.
I agree, Sandy. Now that we’re grandparents it’s wonderful to let the younger generation do the hosting.
Over the years I heard it said that “necessity is the mother of invention.” As in the situation you described, treating friends to a meal where they could order whatever they could eat- was a brilliant idea. When my kids were younger, a favorite place to go was a soup and salad restaurant with a huge number of choices. Even today they like going there and it saves me from having to purchase, prep, cook & clean up. Everyone seems happy and content. Me, included! I do agree with Margaret, too. Fellowship is such an important component. It warms the heart every bit as much as food warms the body!
I love what you said about the fellowship warming the heart as the food warms the body. Great way to put it.
“Too soon old, too late smart”! Sorry I can’t write it in German. I’m with you Karen.
Thanks, Marie. Always so good to hear from you.
What a topic…as a result of all the eating habits of my family I simply do nothing. I leave it up to them to make up the menu and then try to fit in.
It is the time together that is most important. Thanks Karen
Thanks, Joan. I’m at the same place with my family. We do potlucks or I enjoy my kids preparing meals when I visit their homes.