There are spider webs everywhere now, fine filaments stretching across anyplace that I walk outside. This photo was taken through the family room window. Fortunately I have not run into anything like that on my person.
The big basket full of tomatoes made a good pot full of sauce, reduced down more this time, and seasoned with chopped fresh oregano, salt, and then fresh chopped basil later. I put the pot full of sauce in the refrigerator for overnight, because I had plans for it on Sunday. I decided on Friday that it was time to get this family of mine all in one place for a sit down dinner and a sharing of stories of what's been happening.
Sunday is Seahawks football day and Jill has season tickets. She and Jake were going to the game. Through the next 24 hours I got everyone to check in on line and managed to get everyone to commit to dinner here after the game.
Tom and I spent time Sunday prepping for the family event. The photos of the table settings are the only pics I took. You'll have to imagine Jill, Jake, Isaac, Irene, Tom and I in the chairs at dinner time.
Irene picked up Jill and Jake at the light rail station after the Seahawks game, which they lost at the very end. Isaac came from work at Boeing. He's working all of the extra time he can.
As they arrived they dug into a platter of Caprese salad with home grown tomatoes.
Dinner was a great big bowl of spaghetti with my homemade sauce, all of it, green salad with fresh picked cherry tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese bread. I thought there would be left overs but the kids just kept eating and eating. They liked that sauce so much that they spooned out what was left in the bottom of the bowl until there was nothing left!
We had good sharing of Jake's trail maintenance outing in the mountains, Jill's first week back at school, Isaac's chance to watch salmon spawning while getting his car window replaced, and Irene's more detailed account of her five days kayaking in the San Juans as part of her class. She got very high marks on her evaluation, by the way.
Irene brought a cake that she created using bits and parts of recipes and a little of that and this. She is a creative baker. It was very good, served with Tillamook ice cream.
It was a very good "command performance". I don't very often expect all of them to "Be There!", but I am very glad that I did. It gave me the warm glow and uplift that I needed, and it looks like they were happy too. The sure ate like they were. :-)
It's good that your command is obeyed. It's good that a family can get together.
ReplyDeleteIt is always great to have everyone together. Sounds like you all enjoyed it... and your food sounds delicious. (I also love your plates!)
ReplyDeleteThanks. Those plates are from our set of family dishes that we have used every day for the last 46 or so years.
DeleteNice that they all made sure to come and by the sound of it they made short work of your feast.
ReplyDeleteLots of spiders these days. GS M called me out earlier to show me a huge one just outside the back door. Sure wouldn't want that one inside.
It's wonderful you were all able to get together for a wonderful meal. It certainly sounds like there was lots to catch up on. Busy family!
ReplyDeleteI have a secretary that looks just like the one in the first photo. It was my paternal great grandfathers. The flowers on the table are vibrant. As I have aged I am increasingly aware of my not having family. I never thought of it when younger. It sounds like a wonderful dinner and time with those you love.
ReplyDeleteThat secretary belonged to my mother and father-in-law. They bought it used, refinished it, and had the leaded glass doors made in a shop in Langley on Whidbey Island, where they lived in their retirement years. I use it to store table linens and special glassware and antique family pieces.
DeleteSo great that you were all there together enjoying a wonderful meal. Blessings all around except too bad your team lost.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a delicious menu. Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteSo hard to get all family members in the same place for a meal!! Way to go having accomplished the dinner! :)
ReplyDeleteIt was nice to have them all around the table. Your tomato sauce must be very good. In the past I used to do an Autumn brunch with all sorts of dishes and cakes.
ReplyDelete