Winter, warm fires, frost, snow, ice, snowball fights, fun times … Winter. This is how my daughter described winter a year ago. But I’ll take it a step further and add good food and friends and conversation.
It was time to schedule our annual Christmas dinner with our friends. We had a hard time finding a date that worked for both families during the busy holiday weeks. So we opted for a cozy winter night – after the mad rush!
When our friends called and said they’d bring the lamb roast, I couldn’t have been happier. We said “no” to appetizers because of our vast menu – how much should we really eat?
I’ve learned to express my own style in my home, starting with the dinner table
I used what I had and created a cozy, wintery look
Warm boots lined our entry way
Hubs relaxing and reading before company arrives
Caesar Salad, garlicky and fresh
Homemade dinner rolls, hot out of oven
Lamb Roast, cooked to perfection by Ted
Potatoes, sweet Vidalia onions and green beans -the last of our small, tender garden potatoes
Apple Pudding Cake – a winner of a recipe
As our kids have grown to teenagers (how did this happen so quickly?), our conversation around the dinner table is different now. And no longer can we fit all “10″ of us around one table. So we now add a table to the end.
Passion is flowing from person to person. Each person tells a story or shares their opinion. Some are louder than others. We parents listen, and interrupt when needed.
We give our input when we feel it’s right.
We lead and we guide.
We talk.
How do we pass our faith on to our children?
What is the mysterious, magical formula? How do we impress their tender hearts to love God more and to make a difference in society? These are questions that we parents have. And we know that our children will make mistakes and that they will fall. We’d be lying to say they haven’t already. We’ve learned to practice grace by helping pick them up and setting them on their feet again.
We talk about small group living – and our two families know small group living starts with our own “family.”
The family is the most powerful discipleship small group ever devised, where spiritual growth happens in a context of relationships, where we “do life together,” and where true authenticity can be found (for better, for worse) every minute of every day.
(Rob Rienow, taken from Ministry Today publication)
One of my goals for 2009 is to “do family” better. I’ve always said that hospitality begins with me. If I do not choose the direction the barometer moves, then our family is floundering!
I also want to thank my faithful readers for your support and encouragement this past year. Even though I may lack extra time to “blog” or comment on your site, I appreciate each and every one of you. I’d love a personal email or comment as to how I can encourage you more through this blog in 2009!
Until next year – be blessed and
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009!
(Are you interested in my easy homemade dinner rolls or apple pudding cake recipe? This is different from my No Peel Apple Cake!)
Hi, I'm Sandy. Five years ago I stocked up on beautiful glasses from the Dollar Store. As I started writing about dinner parties, I realized that this "icon" portrays a great message. 
I want to share with you some of my favorite places to visit in blog-land, sites that I learn from and am inspired by, and some beautiful friends that I’ve met over the years.
