It's Over Once Again....

Our house is unbelievably quiet considering the commotion of the Thanksgiving Holiday. We had 21 people for dinner and the day and a few for a few nights. We don't entertain too much so I always look forward to hosting my family for one holiday - just once a year. Like many old houses, we have an official dining room complete with my Aunt Jennie's dining set - a big old table, two sideboards, lots of chairs, a chandelier that burns candles and lots of dishes and tableware which were mostly wedding gifts back a few decades ago. I painted the dining room walls with a fanciful vine, flower and animal mural which was so much fun to do and still looks good. Boy, I had a whole bunch of energy back then - now that I think back on it!


For my centerpiece, I purchased a "bread cornucopia" from our friends at 7 South Bakery in Bernardston. If I am lucky, it will last until next year - that is if the mice don't discover it this winter.


As Mom and I were cooking, we were talking about all the stuff brides get when they register for wedding gifts and how sad it is it never gets used but once a year - at least in this house. We were also talking about how times have changed since I got married back in 1984. Does anyone even buy good china or sterling silver anymore? I'm thinking no but maybe some still do. All that stuff that used to seem so important to brides - do they even care anymore?


The normal life of our dining room is a catch-all that I close the door on a lot. I use the giant table as my shipping surface. Normally, there are boxes of books and cards, packing tape, and shipping boxes scattered on every surface. During Farmer's Market season, we keep all our rotating supplies in there too. What about your dining room? Do you even have one? What do you use it for? Do you have Sunday dinner every week like we used to when I grew up? Do you throw fancy dinner parties? Do you cut out quilts on your dining room table?

Now we're back to just the three of us and assorted felines and canines. The critters are definitely happy to have their house back to normal.


It is back to real life and looking forward to the Christmas holidays - especially Julia. It is Christmas music non-stop, every minute she is home. Seeing her as excited as she is reminds me of how much I loved Christmas as a young girl. Oh, the anticipation! Our dining room will be waiting again for another year for its really big day! Good week everyone!