You know how they say “a picture is worth a thousand words?”
Well; I have another saying: “A table is worth a thousand memories!
If I had to pick a piece of furniture that is best used inside my home I would choose my kitchen table.
The value and use I’ve received from this one simple piece of furniture has totally changed the atmosphere of my whole house.
When people first walk into the house they immediately want to know what is going on inside the kitchen?
I love that they feel that way.
Maybe you have noticed the photos of this table in some of my blog posts for THE HOUSE DOCTOR articles.
A funny fact is that I bought this table by accident.
Yes, it is true that several years ago when we first remodeled our kitchen I purchased a similar table and the furniture store delivered the wrong one.
I called them to tell them that the wrong furniture had arrived at my home and they explained to me that their warehouse did not carry the correct one anymore.
They noted that I could either get my money back or keep the table that had been delivered.
Honestly; I loved the table they delivered. I had seen it in the show room and liked it first but bought the least expensive of my choices because it suited my budget better.
As things turned out, I was delighted to keep the wrong table for less money.
Now many years of love happening in this kitchen have proven that this was an excellent choice.
I have often considered the fact that God might have been looking out for my best interest when the little “mix-up” happened with the furniture company.
Below is a link to the product information for purchasing the table; should you ever wish to purchase one of your own. I can promise you wonderful years of total enjoyment if you do:
The nice thing about this table, besides the fact that it is counter-height and doubles as a work island for me, is the fact that the glass top is smokey black in color. This black backdrop shows off every dish and every plate of food I place on the table. It is so photogenic for use in the blog and very eye-catching for posting my favorite recipes.
Whenever I have a crowd to entertain I know this table will do a great job of showing off my foods, even when I choose to use very simple dishes; it makes for a great presentation backdrop.
I’ve found my kitchen table opens so many doors for hospitality with my family, with my friends and even as a outreach to all of our community.
With just a little time and the sweet idea of hospitality gifts from the kitchen; my gift selection dilemmas are now all solved; and my special guests are very happy to know I noticed their desires and comments with interest when we were visiting over our latest fun gathering at the table, or sharing a special occasion involving food in my kitchen. I just take note of what each visitor noticed or liked and gift them when the time is right. It becomes more than just a gift; but a memory of a memory of a good day and a time of sharing the hospitality of our home.
Another fun thing I’ve done is to type my favorite recipes on index cards and keep them handy to hand out should someone inquire about how to make a certain dish that I am serving. I just pull out the already prepared card and they have an instant, hand designed gift from my home to take home after their visit.
If I’m feeling energetic and have the time I love to create simple little gift baskets full of goodies to hand my guest when they are leaving. Everything in the little gift basket would come directly from our pantry. I might include a jar of homemade jelly, or some packets with homemade soup ingredients, or little packets of handwritten recipes for that particular season. It might be cookies, or candy, or it might be full of bags of special mixes that I’ve used with the recipes attached. Very special people receive a copy of my latest version of THE SEASONS OF LANDGRAF CASTLE (my own personal cookbook of recipes our family has enjoyed over the years together.
People never expect this; and they seem to really appreciate the gesture of kindness and good will that is communicated. If I happen to have a favorite book I’m sharing with friends; I might also include it in the basket too. Perhaps a copy of my poems and short stories to add to their own collection. I LOVE sharing my publications and writing with my friends and neighbors.
It all starts around the table. Next time you have a kitchen full of visitors just pay close attention to the conversations going around the room and let your ideas for hospitality flow from there.
I’ve often picked up on conversations about teas and spices and new recipes that I have later used in the decorative little gift baskets from my pantry.
In the meantime; I also consider each blog-reader a guest of our home. If you have enjoyed looking at some of the “happenings” that happened around my most-loved kitchen table today; I suppose you might be wanting a few of the recipes too.
Just click into the Monday Menus section from the TOPICS section of the blog menu and see if you can find a few that you love. Consider it a gift from The IN SEASON Lifestyle.
Another great thing that I’ve enjoyed in my kitchen is decorating it for each season.
I always try to cook seasonal recipes that go with the seasonal dishes I love to use. Having a little seasonal decor setting around here and there really adds a whole new flavorful theme to everything that we do here.
Even though I tend to focus on “themes,” “lifestyle” and “seasons” a lot; certain elements in the room actually never change; like my coffee station and the sign above my kitchen window that was put there when we first remodeled the kitchen several years ago. It contains only one word – “love.”
That one word said it all for me. I wanted a kitchen full of love; and I am so grateful to God for letting me have the desires of my heart and answering that prayer in a million different ways on a million different occasions with the smiles of so many lovely faces.
There is nothing to compare to the love and fellowship that one is able to find in a well-loved and celebrated kitchen. It also gave me the excuse I was looking for to design some coffee cups for that coffee station. Would you like to have one of The IN SEASON Lifestyle coffee cups for your very own; from my kitchen to yours? If so just send an e-mail note to wordcastlepublications@gmail.com. I’ll get back to you with how you can order the cute coffee cups for your own cozy kitchen.
Why not ponder some of your own original ideas for hospitality in your own kitchen and put some of your creative magic to work there too? I would love to hear what happens. A great kitchen is a lot like a light; you can’t keep it hidden for long and stories just seem to come out and bounce off the walls. Later; when we all look back it is easy to see that these “kitchen stories” are the things that bring us the spice of life.
Go on out there and make some stories of your own!
P.S. If you are interested in a few of these recipes in the photos; just click these links: https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/thanksgiving-by-the-sea-recipes/, https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/the-best-apple-pie-ever-monday-night-menus-sweet-treats-series/, https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/thanksgiving-recipes/,https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/fig-cake-with-buttermilk/, https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/tomato-spinach-torte/, https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/lemon-blueberry-cake/
Also; if you are interested in some of the products I’ve displayed in the decor of the table; just click here:
