Double Crust Marionberry Crisp and “Great Minds Discuss Ideas”
Hosting a dinner party takes a certain finesse, but it never has to be perfect. Thank God for that! But, this dessert I’m sharing today, Double Crust Marionberry Crisp, is pretty darn near perfect … I’m just saying …
Dinner parties are like art.
My style of entertaining begins with gathering the right people. Dinner parties are sometimes like art: You put thought and intention into the invitee list, creating a beautiful spread of people. Next, you design a pretty table setting, and pull together a menu where everyone contributes.
A dinner party table is a place of safety, and also of risk, when you consider conversations that can take you in many directions.
Thank you, Eleanor.
I really do believe that our friends come into our home (or yard) to let their hair down, relax, talk about life, problems—the good and the bad. It’s a time of fun, laughter, inspiration, and learning.
I say learning, because this statement says it all:
We get to know the people at our table better, talk about issues, ideas, or events that can hopefully! make our world a better place. It’s about encouragement, shared strength, and wisdom.
One example would be our friend, who’s been working hard on a documentary that will help bring peace and needed justice to a region with decades-old conflict. (I’ll share more on this later).
Another would be what my husband is doing with The Protectors.org and his upcoming trip to Tanzania, sharing the anti-bullying message with the African continent. (We are leaving on Tuesday, and covet your prayers! You can follow on Instagram #ProtectorsNationAfrica @freedombullying)
Everyone plays a role in whatever their mission in life may be. For me, yesterday, it was taking the time to visit with my elderly neighbor—to sit and listen to her struggles and offer encouragement. And then, to send an email to another elderly neighbor who recently moved away–not because she wanted to, but because at age 90, it was “time” to be closer to her children.
For another friends, it’s the daily care of their elderly parents.
Without the power of words that can take you to a better place—whatever season of life you’re in–entertaining becomes small, mindless chitter-chatter, talking only about other people, and meaningless, negative complaints. How draining is that?
Keep it positive.
Honestly, our family just does not do it that way, so we’re a little picky about who we invite over for dinner.
We want to enjoy our conversation and guests, and we want them to enjoy us—to share, linger, relax, and walk away refreshed.
Of course there’s always dipping feet in the pool, or sitting off to the side in a deep conversation. But a joining together – at one large table – to relish the richness, years of friendships, and virtues of our guests.
What are your thoughts about Eleanor’s quote?
Get the Recipe:
Double Crust Marionberry Crisp
Ingredients
Instructions
Hello and welcome to my home and table!
I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
What a perfect summer time dessert.
I make a lot of crisps, because it’s quicker than pie and I love fruit
desserts. So this suits me to a tee. I pinned it.
More importantly I commend you for walking your talk. That is the proof of the pudding to use a food metaphor for living your spiritual integrity. That spirituality could be focused on a single word as the Dali Lama suggested, Kindness. Dinner parties with the richness of conversation with the people at the table are life highlights, as far as I am concerned. As to your upcoming trip to Africa, I am sending you good vibrations to take with you. Smiles—-
I don’t think I’ve ever had marionberries, but this crisp looks amazing!
I had never heard of marionberries until I was out your way a few years ago, this crisp looks divine!
I love Eleanor’s quote. I was just at the beach yesterday with a bunch of friends, and I was listening to the conversation go down a very slippery path, thinking to myself how can I bring this back around to a positive note, talk about something that matters. Then I saw your instagram! It was quite timely to say the least. Very much a God thing. Thanks for sharing my lovely friend.
xox Sheila
Double the crust is always good!! I do this with my crisp too! Mmm!
What a wonderful reminder, Sandy. The crisp looks delightful.
Love everything about this, Sandy!! I have so many preserves I could do this with!! What a great recipe. Thank you!!
Lovely post, Sandy. And that crisp…want! I tried marionberries for the first time at the market in Seattle last week. Brought home some of it in jam form – just enjoyed some for breakfast this morning!
What a beautiful recipe and that quote image is amazing. I agree that it’s good to keep a discussion focused on ideas. I find those are the ones I enjoy the most. I think we’re a lot like you and we don’t end up hanging around with too many people who are speaking negatively of others…unless it’s politicians, but that can be tricky subject too! Love this post!!