Family Dinner ~ At Home

On my way home tonight I thought about how busy our lives have become and we rarely have family dinners anymore. My step-son Austin is in college and working a full time job in the evenings. Paige is unpredictable on when she's here (usually Thurs-Sat night but always subject to change). Rudy and I are playing co-ed softball on Tuesday and Thursday nights, in Bible Study on Sunday nights, and usually so behind on sleep that we're too tired to cook anymore and that makes me sad. I have always enjoyed fixing meals but my favorite part is sitting down together to say the blessing (That is Olivia's assigned job that she gave to herself), to eat, to share our day, to laugh, to catch up on conversations we otherwise wouldn't have....because we're too busy.

It's kind of funny that this is so one of my favorite family times because when I was growing up eating was torture. I remember falling asleep many nights at the dining room table because I didn't want to eat my dinner. I was so picky as a child that I ate 1 item at a time and no food could touch or I wouldn't eat it (not so picky anymore). My Mom took me to the Dr. once because she was afraid I wasn't getting enough nutrition in my diet. Come to find out peanut butter and crackers is loaded with protein so he told her not to worry.

Anyway.....I decided to stop at the store this afternoon and make a family meal tonight. Everyone seemed surprised.

We had pork chops dipped in melted butter and cracker crumbs (with a small amount of creole seasoning). I baked them in the oven on 375 for 45 minutes. Rudy made homemade mashed potatoes (I taught him well - and a big THANK YOU for his help), brussel sprouts, and crescent rolls. I even made homemade banana pudding. It was a hit!

Rudy, Austin, Olivia and I enjoyed our meal as we talked, laughed, and ate together. We even got a surprise visit from Brandon, my step-son who lives 4 hours away. He goes to college in Wilmington, NC. He was too late for dinner but I fixed him some banana pudding to go.

It was worth every effort it took to get us all to that dining room table tonight....tomorrow we will all be too busy. Praise God for family dinners at home!