
Dining with one’s friends and beloved family is certainly one of life’s primal and most innocent delights, one that is both soul-satisfying and eternal. – Julia Child
Innocent delights.
It satisfies our souls.
The experience is eternal.
I love this quote, don’t you?
When’s the last time you experienced a soul-satisfying meal around your table?






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. It says that dinner parties are attainable, they are affordable, and that they can be beautiful even when on a budget. 






















Today- I had to take the youngest to the doctor and my husband is out of town, so my friend came to watch the other two. When I got back, we all had peanut butter and banana sandwiches with fruits, veggies and goldfish crackers. But the conversation was wonderful- I love it when you can go back and forth with a friend between serious heart topics and the more frivolous!
[Reply]
I hope it will be tonight! My sweet husband is home from a trip and I can’t wait to gather my boys around the table and share our day. You always inspire!
[Reply]
Sandy, I just had to let you know that I ordered your book and I LOVED it. I tried to pace myself (haha – seriously!) so I could enjoy it longer, but I couldn’t stretch it more than 3 days. Well done! It’s a beautiful resource that I can’t wait to pass on to my own daughters someday. It really made me think, which I love.
This has absolutely nothing to do with your above post, but would you ever consider doing a vlog? Now that I’ve read your book (and so many others have, too), I think it would be so fun to “meet” you through the computer! Oh, and if we could see your kitchen in real life, that would be fun, too.
Anyway, thanks for writing such a lovely book and an inspiring blog.
Jessica @ This Blessed Life´s last [type] ..Miscellany Monday 10
[Reply]
Christmas with my family!
It’s not a daily thing – it can’t be, not yet, with squirmy boys crawling out of their chairs and under the table. We try, at least once a week, to eat in the dining room instead of the kitchen, to light candles and enjoy a glass of wine with our meal. We ignore the boys under the table for a few moments and just talk, and that in and of itself, is good.
Adelle @ ready…GO!…get set´s last [type] ..Facebooking the Enemy
[Reply]
The week after Christmas with our friends that are our parents age! We love them to death and so do our kids! We had a beautiful table and wonderful meal and great conversation even with our three sons (ages 11, 8 and 3). It was hard to see them leave! It is wonderful to see friendships that span the generations.
[Reply]
Last Sunday! When my oldest two kids left home a year and a half ago, we decided to set aside (most) Sunday dinners for reconnecting as a family. I know that if we aren’t intentional about staying connected, we will too easily drift apart. Anyway, this past week was a rough one with a significant conflict between two members of our family. After much talking, tears, more talking and prayer, there we were Sunday night, still a family, still loving each other, enjoying moose stew, a lovely salad and nutella crepes for dessert. Soul-satisfying with an eternal impact!
[Reply]
Last Sunday for me too. Me and two of my siblings and all of our kids (12 ranging in age from 1-13) met at my Parent’s house after church for lunch. My Mom made brisket, I brought green beans, my youngest sister made potato salad, and my middle sister brought corn and rolls. We finished the meal off with my Mom’s homemade pound cake. It was delicious. Both the meal and the company. I wish my brother and his family could’ve been there too. We sat around the table after the meal and visited with each other. I’m so thankful for the blessing of family in my life.
[Reply]
On New Year’s Day our family had blackeyed peas and ham, fried potatoes and cornbread. The simplicity was a welcome change after the rich foods of the holidays and the conversation was pleasant and relaxed. A good meal.
I also love Julia Child’s quote that says “Remember you’re all alone in the kitchen and no one can see you.”
Lora @ my blessed life´s last [type] ..Some Linky Love
[Reply]
Last night! Chicken, orzo, a big green salad, and some leftover Christmas biscotti. We gather around the table and talk about our day. Our boys learned about the Great Wall of China in (home)school yesterday, so that conversation kept us busy.
Elizabeth´s last [type] ..Wisconsin Winter Wonderland
[Reply]
Kirstin Reply:
January 27th, 2011 at 9:42 am
That sounds wonderful! Sounds like a great time around the table
[Reply]
Hmmmm….actually last weekend my oldest and I were in Seattle for Soccer and we went to dinner at the California Pizza Kitchen. We enjoyed a relaxing, fun time with great conversation!! That satisfied my soul and the food satisfied our tummy’s
Kirstin´s last [type] ..Recipe- My Favorite Sweet and Sour Dressing
[Reply]
What a timely post for me! I just had the tug at my heart today to invite friends over for dinner to sit, eat and chat! No fuss, just be together. Its been too long…
courtney´s last [type] ..yet another
[Reply]
Sandy -
The second I saw this beautiful photo, I was reminded of Norman Rockwell’s famous Thanksgiving magazine picture. Something about it just immediately sent me there. After reading your lovely post, and your reference to giving thanks for the companionship of friends and family, I find the ties to that picture even stronger. How awe inspiring to bring that painting and the sense that it conveys into the contemporary world.
Linda @ A Toile Tale
[Reply]