I've pretty much run out of grocery money for the month, so we feasted on what I had at home: chicken burgers from the freezer, loaded potato salad minus the missing ingredients of sour cream and onions, a vegetable tray with ranch dressing, oranges, and lemony iced tea.
Perhaps I've been deprived of girl time in the last weeks of new town-itis. But it was simply lovely.
For some reason, the remnants of the table struck me as beautiful.
Liquid in the glasses, wrinkles in the tablecloth, faded placemats, simple orange against blue, rarely used crystal ... in the late-afternoon light, it was gorgeous. It filled my heart with something thankful and peaceful. I didn't want to forget it.
So here it is.
Added to Sarah's Your Life, Your Blog carnival.
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Hi - I've been subscribed to your blog for a few weeks now, but haven't found just the right words to respond. All your posts are fantastic, and you inspire me in so many ways, to strive to be better. To see the beauty in simple things, to let my heart be filled with joy in the ordinary. Just like you have written here. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sarah, that means the world to me!
ReplyDeleteWow- Beautifully written.
ReplyDeleteThere is something special about having someone over for lunch in your home. A certain intimacy that isn't felt in a public restaurant.
And I miss it.
I have three littles and I feel like our house isn't really neat enough to invite any other at-home mamas over for lunch. But really...does that matter?
If they have children, then their houses are likely as messy as mine. So I may as well just bite the bullet and invite them over.
Thanks for the encouragement. Glad you had a good time. :)
-Lauren
Lauren, My house is a wreck too. We still have moving boxes here, and I am not kidding about my cleaning skills on this blog. I stink! But honestly, I have been really trying to improve my hospitality skills and I need to push myself to get past the mess!
ReplyDeleteJessie
Beatiful post, Jessie. I love seeing the aftermath---you can see fun and joy in those wrinkles and glasses!
ReplyDeleteWish I had been there!
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That looked like a great afternoon!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you got some good girl time! And I'm glad you shared the moment as it struck you. I like that.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could insert a photo here. I took a similar set of photos after a recent Friday night dinner party. I was particularly "struck" by the beauty of my decimated cheese and vegetable tray. The remembrance of a party can be as much fun as actually having it, without the stress! Great post.
ReplyDeleteLove, love your remnants of a happy afternoon. So special, especially in a new place, with new people, and new home.
ReplyDeleteAlso? Love the white chocolates in the dish. Makes me think of the last long bit of girl time you (and I) had... and wish it had been longer or more or something.
...and Bliss white chocolate too! Now that definitely adds to the beauty! (and the taste, I'm sure)
ReplyDeleteI'm planning on sharing some bliss tomorrow at my writing group meeting)
That after-table IS beautiful!
ReplyDeleteGirl time is crucial to my sanity. Glad you had a little bit of it in the new town.