French dining

It’s been forever since I last wrote on my blog….WOW has it really been since last summer....uuggghhh

You see I've been so busy with the miraculous, yet mundane, tasks of life.  There’s just not much to blog about folding your millionth load of laundry or the fact that I found the top of my desk…those are tasks that we tend to conquer on a regular basis. J

With all the miraculous around me I stepped out of my routine and made a master piece last night ( Monday) that I couldn't keep to myself!

I don’t know if it’s the fact that the sun has appeared in the Pacific Northwest and we've had days of 80 plus degrees for weeks now or that sun seems to have returned my “super” powers to me, but I’m getting so much accomplished!  I LOVE SUMMER!!!

So in my spare time (lol) yesterday….I made a 7 course French meal that was amazing!  It took us 2 hours to enjoy and eat it.  Now if you know my 5 amazing, yet locus like, children you will be amazed.  Not only did it take 2 hours to eat but our conversation was rich, like our food. Let me explain…..First we eat dinner as a family every night.  It could be something as simple as meat, cheese and crackers with a movie or something as extravagant as Monday night.

We began our evening with a table cloth!, roses from my garden, 2 plates a bowl and wine glasses.  The little’s (my 5 and 6 year olds) help to set the table.  By this time I’d already been working in the kitchen for about 4 hours, I was in heaven!   

Now don’t quote me….I’m not French and I’ve only been to France once as a teenager so I’m not an expert and I’m pretty sure I misunderstood some of the items….but I tried my best and I will try again J

We began our first course of Apéritif (White Wine) for J (Hubby) and I.  The kids had a sip and didn't like it so they chose a glass of fresh made sweet ice tea.  J was thrilled to come in the front door to be handed a beautiful glass of white wine….I don’t know why we don’t do that more often.  Beginning the meal with conversation of our day’s activities, with 5 busy kids that can take a while, but we loved every minute of it.

While we were all getting situated at the table I presented L’ Entrée of a fresh green salad with the options of a vinaigrette or blue cheese dressing.  All the while, the adults were finishing our first glass of wine.  Our conversation moved from the normal day activities to what they had learned from the day.  (See it’s not just me who loves to learn dailyJ, it’s a family affair) It was wonderful L’ Entrée took half an hour! (Usually our meal is done in 30 minutes so this was a big deal.)  The rich conversation of hearing what God had taught our children through the day was amazing.  *Our kids are all over the place (Literally) as 3 are teens or pre-teen and are working or volunteering this summer and the little’s are with me all day helping or doing school work.

We slowly transitioned from the second course to our Le Plat Principal of Poulet Saute aux Herbes de Provence.  Wow!  If you come for dinner I just might make this for you….it was melt in our mouth amazing.  Even my little girl, who’s not a big meat eater, ate every bite without any coaxing or bribery.  Again WOW!  Visiting went on for another hour as we began discussing what Jesus meant when He said “I AM” and who Jesus said He was in the Bible.

Next on the menu was Le Fromage: a lovely wheel of brie, homemade crusty GF bread, and grapes. Yum…again this portion of the meal was filled with laughter, conversation and silly jokes.  We had a red wine with this but it didn't have long enough to breath so it was REALLY peppery and we didn't finish it.

Our dessert was a large dish of fresh local strawberries, blueberries and some red grapes.  By this time our eating had significantly slowed down as everyone was pretty full. J But, over the next 45 minutes we enjoyed our dessert with our next course Le Café a small cup of coffee with crème brulée creamer.  As soon as the little’s were done with their fruit they got up to play quietly in the next room while the big boys got their bibles out and discussed additional biblical insights with J.

The final course of the meal was Le Digestif but we didn't partake as we were done and stuffed beyond measure even though, compared to a normal wolf it down meal, we didn't eat that much.

Overall is was an amazingly what a delightful experience!  The kids want to know when the next one is, and I want to have friends over to share the fun. I’m hoping we can make it a weekly tradition, as everyone loved having that much time to visit, eat and laugh together. 
I got to share my love of cooking with my family while blessing them with a wonderful meal and they in turn blessed me with their laughter and conversation.

I hope you all have the chance to share something that you love with your families this week!  Au Revoir for now.