I did it. Three years in my head, and now I have to put my food where everyone else's mouth is.
I grew up eating Sunday dinner, as did a lot of people I know. My mother was a great cook and did it almost every day for seven people, day in and day out, three meals a day. You would think she wanted to rest on Sunday, but most Sundays we got Sunday dinner--roast chicken, roast beef, and a host of other tasty traditional meals that we ate with gusto! Often we had worked all weekend on some family project, and Sunday dinner and dessert were our reward.
Throughout my adulthood, whatever the circumstances, Sunday dinner has always remained just that--the one meal with which to take time, prepare thoughtfully, and, if possible, share with friends and family. Even when shared just with myself, Sunday dinner was always something I took pleasure in preparing and eating. It started the week off right and put me in a good mood for Monday mornings.
I have always been in awe of the power of food and a great meal shared with others to build community. I am sure that if the world sat down to a meal together, there would be a great deal less conflict and a great deal more of caring for and supporting each other. Additionally, I am an avid gardener and forager, and always have more than I can eat from the garden and the fields and forests around Seattle.
About three years ago, the idea came to me to start small--bring together a group of friends, family, and anyone else who wanted Sunday dinner and a bit of community, and cook them dinner! I banged it around as it morphed it into several different variations, big, small, etc., but always came back to the same theme--food and community.
A couple of weeks ago, I finally got tired if it nagging me. The idea just wouldn't leave me alone. So, I sat down and figured out how many people I could feed, how much of a contribution people would be willing to make, and then put the invitation out there.Needless to say, the table is full. The inaugural meal of the First Sunday Supper Club will honor faux Oktoberfests everywhere--sausages from the local German butcher, homemade sauerkraut, potatoes of some kind (still not sure), homemade pickles, something green from the garden and of course, dessert!
As the date draws nearer, I am surprised that I am getting nervous--is this thing going to really take off? Do people really want to do this? Ack! I know--vulnerability is good for the soul somehow. My soul should be full of lots of goodness by the time this is all over.
I will be sure to report back.
