As my first official post, I think I should confess here that I am far from being the next Martha Stewart. My perfect welcomes are more often quite imperfect as friends are tripping over toddlers and toys and staring in dismay at the impressive pile of dishes in the sink. I am undoubtedly moreheart than perfection. And these days as we’re settling slooooowly into our new home, with construction being done all around us, it is perhaps my greatest challenge to be able to open my doors as frequently as I am accustomed.
And yet, I am undaunted.
In the past two weeks, I’ve organized a scrapbooking atelier, a birthday dinner for my love, friends popping by to visit, darling-demons home from school, in addition to the daily carafe of coffee for our workers who brave cold and rain to create a livable space for us. So a relatively last-minute Sunday lunch for 7 adults, 4 kids and 2 babies was par for the course.
Our salon is empty, save a desk, a workshop table and the ugly mustard-colored rug left over from previous owners. But thanks to pretty napkins and a tablecloth, a chicken in the freezer and a large grocery order from carrefour, my lunch managed to be somewhat welcoming with people coming in to smells of cooking and bright colors. (I should mention that until the downstairs is finished, our current living space is 55 square meters (that’s 592 square feet), comprising a kitchen and bathroom, my empty salon, and 2 tiny bedrooms, which house all of 5 people).
The lot of us gathered on some orphan chairs in a loose circle, facing the large french windows and the rain that drenched our garden. We feasted on lamb stew with dijon mustard and turnips, roast chicken with tarragon and more of that “can’t-get-enough” french mustard, a garlic and basil amaranth – quinoa mix, and ratatouille. Spelt bread and a green bean-tempeh dish was lovingly provided by some guests to complete our fare.
As the afternoon was winding down (including cranky babies and house-bound kids climbing the walls), we munched on peanut-butter cookies and drank strong hot coffee, contemplating the weather that was keeping us all inside together. I think it was generally decided that the conversation and the warmth of friendship was the best feast of all.
* This post originally appeared in my former blog, Perfect Welcome, and may contain some modifications or discrepancies in the names or comments.
.
