gathering(s) at table.

     

"bless the life that is sheltered here. 

grant that trust and peace and comfort abide within, 

and that love and life and usefulness 

may go out from this home forever." 

attributed to LadyBirdJohnson

*

there is a certain calm .. a coziness .. in gathering at the table of friends be the relationship long time or new. anticipating conversation - sharing from the nook of one's heart or talking turkey or a belly laugh or three. journeys taken in the last six months have found us at the table of family as well as friends who are like family and at each table was warmth for the soul and belly. a labor of love goes into preparing then sharing a meal - a delight for the taste buds certainly - always adding to the appreciation of dear friendships and family connection. how i wish we all lived closer and could gather at regular intervals. it all seems tooooo long of a while to wait for the next gathering. simply too long.

this last sunday found us at the table in the home of new to us friends from church. everything described above wove its way into our time together, drawing us closer - with a sigh at having to part at the end of the day. there aren't enough minutes in an hour or hours in a day. have you also found this to be true?

here's a quick view of the table - post dinner and dessert, continuing to enjoy our second cups of coffee and soaking rays of sunshine. the guys went one way, the gals another, as we continued sharing life. this gal is a quilter, in case you weren't able to determine that based on the picture. and more than that she does handiwork in many forms. each of my heart-friends is gifted in varied ways:

handiwork, cuisine, design, gardening, hospitality

and sometimes all the above as ministry.

to be in their company is the greatest of gifts.

"in the quiet, unhurried atmosphere, 

wholesome and inspiring conversation 

can linger on through dessert 

and well into our 

second cup of coffee." 

~RC

*

"savory smells were in the air; 

on the crane hung steaming kettles, 

and down among the red embers, 

copper saucepans simmered, 

all suggestive of some approaching feast." 

LouisaMayAlcott

*

from my own kitchen a simple breakfast

using ripe tomato slices, olive oil, garlic,

cracked pepper, dried parsley,

with a spread of ricotta

on homemade toasted bread.

alongside a cutie orange.

it was simple.

satisfying.

delicious.

with love,

.sherry.