One of my college roommates grew up in Grosse Pointe with all of her other Italian cousins very close by. Most Sundays, one of her grandmothers would have the family over for dinner. I recall hearing Virginia describe some of the delicious traditional Italian dishes on the menu. The cousins would play and the parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents would all help prepare, cook and clean up and catch up on these very treasured Sundays. It’s a lovely view to imagine those gatherings that cemented life long close family relationships. Although the Sunday dinners no longer happen, the bonds that those days created are strong. The cousins are still close..
Making time to get together as a family takes effort. A lady who used to come to my ballet classes-who is now in her early nineties and still going strong would describe to me that she and her husband-still going strong too-would tell their kids, three of their four sons who lived in town, we’ll have dinner on Sunday, just let us know on Saturday who will be attending, no hard feelings if you can’t make it. She told me that most Sundays, they all came-unless the kids had an out of town sporting event or if they were traveling. Even their son who lived out of town would make an effort to come when he could. Thinking of these families has always inspired me.
Yesterday, as we were leaving Church with Alex and his family, we invited them over. I told them not to bring anything. They have had a fun and busy summer with activities-a five year old and two and one half year old twins keep you moving every waking moment. We had a nice dinner and it was not a whole lot of effort. I ran out to the grocery store after doing a few errands and made it home about 4:15. I settled on an easy menu of grilled lemon chicken, French baguettes toasted with butter and sea salt, Panzella, a salad with cucumbers, tomatoes and purple onions and a simple French Potato Salad. I even had time to make some fresh lemonade with agave. Dessert was simple, the classic Drumsticks from the grocery store. Originally the plan was a Blueberry Crostata. I ran out of town, so the Drumsticks I picked up-just in the event that, that happened, and it did. I cleaned up while we all talked, the kids cleaned up their toys. When we were done, we all went outside-glad the smoke cleared from the forest fires- and then they all left in time for Alex and Amanda to get the kids in bed on time. What a nice time with little effort and maximum reward. Amanda offered to bring something and I said no. I wanted her to have an afternoon free of dinner thoughts.
Purposely, I am not including recipes this week. You most likely have your own “go to” easy summer menu. Summer is pretty much half over, now that we are looking at July 20 today. Consider a nice Sunday dinner with your family, close friends or neighbors before fall arrives. Make it simple and easy. If it takes the stress off of you, ask everyone to bring a dish or do carry out. Remember, the food is always secondary to those gathered around your table. Right?! Wishing you a great day and an even better week ahead 🌼
