A series of essays….
FRESH DINNER INGREDIENTS
….as seen through my eyes!
By: Jacqueline E Hughes
Recently, I composed a poem called The Good Life that is based on the understanding and kindness of the contemporary poet, Diana Goetsch. The first stanza sums up the richness of life for me in three lines:
Invite the people you love into your home. Sit with them.
Take in the sound of clinking glasses and plates.
You’ll truly feel you are living the good life.
A good friend once commented on my Facebook post by saying she thought I was a good ‘chef.’ I was flattered, of course, even though payment for my cooking has never hit the books, as far as I know. I take that back. Once, a long time ago, a lady had eaten my chicken with Béchamel sauce filled French crêpes I’d made for a luncheon at Dusty’s English Inn and inquired if I happened to do catering. I did not cater, but we worked out a deal including quantity and price and I met her in a Meijer parking lot in Lansing and exchanged ‘the goods’ out of the trunk of my car. Quite a clandestine operation, don’t you think?
My point, however, is that the first thing I thought of regarding my friend’s FB comment was how much I simply enjoy — feeding people. This is my true passion. Catching satisfied smiles on faces after the first few bites or having someone ask me for the recipe are grand compliments for such enjoyable work.
Inviting family and friends over to partake of a good home cooked meal is very satisfying. Doing so says some important things about us: my home truly is your home, your company is very much enjoyed and appreciated, and, while you’re here, let’s eat! To fill the belly is to fill the heart and soul of everyone we cook for. There’s so much joy in making people feel welcome, conversational, happy, and nourished.
There are clear benefits for everyone here and taking the time to sit and talk with those you love and enjoying hanging out with is a priority. In a less stressful and more simple life, we might call this act sitting down at the family table and having dinner together; sharing insights about the day’s activities as we make time to talk, if only for a little while.
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A LITTLE “CHEER” BETWEEN GOOD FRIENDS! |
“Sláinte!” - “Cin! Cin!” - “Salud!” - “Prost!” - “Santé!” - “Yamas!” - “Cheers!”
I enjoy the sound of clinking glasses and hearing people converse while eating utensils reverberate around the room and echo the sounds of food lovingly passed around the table. The clinking of glasses might mean sharing a toast to good health, friendship, a new job, or the birth of a baby. Walking the small side streets of any large city around dinner time, especially during the warmer months with apartment windows opened to the fresh air, provides these amazing sounds for me. It’s interesting to imagine what delicious food is on each table and how many people are partaking of a simple, family meal as I follow the golden light pouring out of screened windows.
The good life implies a wealthy, luxurious way of living. Let’s explore the meaning of the words wealthy and luxurious in more terms than just having bucket loads of money and lavishly spending it on a decadent lifestyle of comfort and self-indulgence. Having a plentiful supply of a particularly desirable thing might serve us well in this case; in terms of information, knowledge, experience — these would be positive assets for anyone. Add to this list family, friendships, love, and filling your home with as many books as your heart desires. Considering the latter, I am a very wealthy person, indeed!
Living in the lap of luxury is all relative, determined by different people having different view-points while looking at the same thing. On one hand, a single, working Mom of (let’s say) three might come home to an apartment filled with laughter and joy comprised of the most important people in her life, her family. On the other hand, one might have people on their payroll doing their bidding, however, the tower of gold or beachfront property may not contain a modicum of respect or love no matter how much money one may have in his battered, ancestral coffer. Again, it’s all relative.
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DINNER MADE FROM THE FRESH INGREDIENTS FROM ABOVE |
For myself, the good life is one of simple but meaningful pleasures. Good living at its best! This includes being kind to others, helping those in need, taking care of yourself through healthy eating and movement, sharing your life with a beloved pet, and traveling as much as possible in order to learn to accept other people and customs, new places and climates. And, placing a smile on your face can help work out some of the kinks that may obstruct your intended headway.
Love your life completely, to the core. Never take a single day for granted. Yesterdays are gone. Tomorrows are yet to be. Live and love in the moment with all of the gusto you can possibly muster! Help feed the world with positivity and that optimism will help nourish you and those you love for the rest of your lives.
Copyright © 2023 by Jacqueline E Hughes
All rights reserved
