Family dinners and days off

It only seems fitting that a food oriented post in Norman Rockwell's
territory be graced with one of his images.

Food has always had the power to bring groups together. I've bonded more with people over meals than I have at any other opportunity. A few weeks back I posted a few pictures of our amazing kitchen setup. Those of us living in the house are now using that to its full advantage.

My first week here, the paint charge mentioned she was having a few people over for a simple fair. Maybe six people came. I had already eaten, but socialized while the others were here.

The next week--her mom's chicken recipe. She had invited a few more from her shop. The older folk needing a reprieve from their underlings. As her housemates, the shop supervisor, her husband and I were invited as well. Maybe 8 people total. We followed that up with a charade like game.

The next week our number increased to about 10, with a more elaborate pasta dish and wine.

And this past week: chicken enchiladas, home made guacamole...fancier yet. And more people. We now totaled close to 16 and found the need to organize. So the menu is already planned for next week. A small collection was taken up to ease the burden on the next cook's pocketbook. And next week we will have yet another casual food centric gathering.

It reminds of family dinners in Point. The five of us in the house settling down to a large dinner with our assorted visitors--usually two male and one extra female if memory serves right. Bar-b-ques on the front lawn. Early thanksgiving dinners. Smiles, jokes, stresses and stories shared. To break up into groups, Lord of the Rings in the background, a model being built in the dining room, makeup practiced in the living room...

Even going out for lunch is an excuse to catch up and socialize. Greta and I met today on our day off. Pity it's taken this long as she lives and works literally right down the road (albeit about a 10 minute drive). We had no plans, other than lunch. Our "lunch" ended up being close to four hours (though errands were done during that time).

Food the great equalizer. Powerful. Memories. Bringing people together. So visceral. Embracing all of the senses...taste, sound, smell, touch, sight. Colors of chopped vegetables. Soft strains of conversation. Aroma of simmering spices. Clinking of glasses and plates. Textures of counters, silverware, warm bread ripped apart by fingers. A sense of security and a recall of home. Combined flavors on the tongue...different textures, spices, temperatures. All mingling. A melting pot of people and food.

No wonder we're so content after a good meal. It's not just the physical body that a meal sustains.