Dinner with friends

Dinner with friends.

Last night myself and two friends got together. One I know well, one I know a bit. And we cooked together, a meal and a plan. We decided that for this winter from November to April we'll get together once a month and cook dinner with friends. Each of us will cook twice at our houses and we'll each invite one guest to join us. We'll cook for six, and the guests will change from month to month.

We each had ideas about who we'd like to invite. New people moved to the community, older friends, students, people we knew well, people we knew just a little. 

We agreed on a few things. We'd gather at 6:30 on Thursday nights. We'd each bring a guest. We could cook it all ahead or we could cook together. If we were having a busy week we could ask each other to bring a salad or dessert. And we would serve the meal all at once, no courses because we wanted the meal to be about sharing rather than service. And we'd have dessert after. And the meals can be simple and easy or elaborate, the host chooses. 

And why? Why are we doing this. Well we each had our own why. Mine was because I wanted to have something to look forward to this winter. A warm evening each month that would open me up to new people, new thoughts, new ideas. I love to cook and love to eat and this idea made good sense to me. It was something intentional just for leisure and joy and I am trying to build more of that into my days. 

And as we were writing it into our calendars, one member said, I am writing "dinner with friends" and the three of us agreed "that's what we'll call it".

And so I am looking forward to it. I am slightly apprehensive, how do you invite someone you only know a little to join you for dinner when you don't know who is going to be there? Will it be awkward? Will it seem odd? Well yes maybe, maybe it will. Buts that's ok I think. I'll tell them our little plan, and explain the why for me, and they can say yes or no. I plan to socially stretch myself a little bit, have some fun, spread some joy. I have no problem stitching myself for art, for work, for all kinds of things and now I want to stretch myself for fun.

Last nights dinner in case you are wondering was French bistro salad, Advocate salmon, green beans, roasted rosemary potato, roasted brussel sprouts with maple syrup, and lemon posit for dessert. We were together for about two hours, shared a meal, drank water and just enjoyed each others food and company. A simple recipe.

And I encourage you to try it with a few friends of your own if you like. Dinner with friends, invite two friends to join you and create a little supper club with surprise guests and simple meals and something sweet at the end. We are meant to gather and share and care for each other. We are here together after all.