When Company Is Coming

This Sunday is Miriam's baby dedication at church (Mennonites believe in adult baptism.  Dedications allow the parents to commit to teach their child about Christ and the church congregation to commit to support the parents in that task. Teenagers, young adults or older adults make a decision to get baptized when they're ready to make that commitment).  We have family coming in from out of town for the occasion.  So, there is food to make, a house to clean and an outside to be made to look decent.  We don't do all this because we have to.  We know our family would love us even if we didn't, but it's all part of saying 'thank you' to loved ones who've driven far to participate in our lives in this way.  And we say 'thank you' happily.

 We're also celebrating Miriam's first birthday (a little late).  These are shoofly cupcakes- the first dessert her little tongue will taste.

When we have company, I want to be free from as many responsibilities as possible.  I just want to sit, talk and be lazy with my guests.  I don't want to be stuck in the kitchen, even though I know guests would be glad to sit on our kitchen bench (an old pew) and visit with me (or even help me).  At times, I wish I could be that kind of hostess.  The kind who flutters about her kitchen, sporting a vintage apron, laughing and talking away with her company while peeling potatoes or sauteing onions.

Ready to brew a large batch of mint tea with fresh stevia concentrate so we have plenty to drink.

Alas, that is not me.  I need to stay focused when I'm making food or disasters can happen.  And, for me, it's stressful to be surrounded by dirty dishes while following a recipe and carrying on a conversation.  So, I make as much food ahead of time as possible.  Like, several days before.  Much of it goes into the freezer so that the day or two before everyone arrives can be spent cleaning.  I can't clean the house ahead of time and put it in the freezer to remain untouched until I'm ready for company to see it.  I wish.

Stuffed shells with Swiss chard instead of spinach

Now, I can handle cooking up a vegetable or assembling a salad in front of guests but I have no interest in plating fancy desserts while my guests are waiting.  I want to pull things from my fridge and sling them into the oven.  I want to set a thawed cake or chilled pie on the table as soon as dinner plates are cleared.  But that's just me.

Wacky cake with this icing (Jamey's favorite).

When we have people here, I want to be with those people.  Undistracted.  Fully present and with no fear of mucking up their food.  This is how I do it and it works great for me.