Have you ever been tempted to turn something impromptu and simple into a big splashy affair? Probably not. Because your not insane like I am. I am tempted to do this ALL the time. Why? I have to ask myself. I invite some people over to celebrate a special event. I do this 5 days before said event. Then I start thinking we need an activity so as I formulate a plan for an activity I start to feel we need props and atmosphere. The next thing you know I am pinteresting for ideas and special effects. There are so many great food ideas that I begin to imagine we need to taste them all. I start making lists and plans and wonder how I’m going to get it all done. I enlist the help of my creatively talented sidekick, my daughter. She just kind of goes along with it because she is used to my pathological need to create events as if I’m Colin Cowie. (Google him).
All the guests have asked what they could bring to the table, so to speak. I tell them I’ll get back to them as soon as my master plan is formulated. While I’m laying in bed counting sheep and lamb and beef and chicken and salmon I hear this not so wee small voice yelling in the silence. STOP. STOP RIGHT NOW. What?? I’m just doing my thing. NOT THIS TIME SISTER.
What was my purpose in inviting this particular group of friends over in the first place? Well…. to honor the men in our lives. To acknowledge their contribution to our families. To ensure that no one was left alone with difficult circumstances on this day and to create community and combat loneliness. As it so happens, I really love this group of people and I wanted to spend time together because we always have so much fun. It’s also no small thing that all of the children of these particular friends are friends with our adult kids as well. In fact that is how we happened to become friends. We were drawn together by our kids friendships.
Anyway, we all need to eat every day so naturally food will be involved. So why not keep it simple and just achieve the main goal which is to bond over the breaking of bread. Of course I won’t be breaking any bread because I’m off gluten and grains for a spell. No matter. So I tell my daughter to nevermind about the preparations, go out with her friends this weekend and I text each family to bring their own meat and a side and we are good to go. No pressure. No stress. No pretenses. Just good friends, good food and good times.
Looking forward to it.
The Red Plaid Apron 