An Intimate Gathering

Reading Kinfolk magazine has inspired me to host my own small gathering with a few close friends. My sister Catherine and her best friend Maddie came over last night for a homemade dinner of penne pasta mixed with fresh, locally sourced asparagus and mushrooms in a creamy leek soup base, an artisan baguette from the local market accompanied by a petite cheese plate consisting of smoked gouda, and a few mini babybel cheeses.

After opening up a bottle of New Zealand sauvignon blanc, we began our small feast. Both Catie and Maddie adored the simple and colorful set up, and I was pleased to hear how much they enjoyed my cooking as well. Nothing was too overly contrived, which I feel adds something special.

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A few notable passages from Kinfolk:

On starting a new tradition- start a new tradition, not centered on travel or shopoping or working toward a new year, but focused on creating a time to enjoy the comforts of those closest to you. Whether with a sibling, a friend, a parent, or a lover, greet the frosty morning before the sun, no matter how much your body may plead to stay beneathe the quilts. Rub the sleep from your eyes as the kettle boils. Then, with piping mug in hand, curl up on the front porch and share a quiet sunrise. 

(p. 54, words by Elise Yetton)

On Why I Cook-  To create something beautiful together, to share nourishment, is fulfilling on levels that go far beyond fueling the body. We live in a hectic, traffic-jammed, competitve society. So often we sacrifice traditions based on preparing and eating real food for the convenience of drive-thoughs and freezer dinners, convinced that by saving time in the kitchen, we'll get ahead in some other way. My mission is to encourage people to slow down and to experience the simple joys of cooking, and to focus on nourishing our bodies and spirits. 

(p. 81, words by Sarah Britton)

 On Entertaining Details- The simple intimacies that surface naturally in our preparations for company provide an unimposing uniqueness to our gatherings. The way the cloth napkins twist upward on a solitary corner, for example, or the bow of the apron ties and parcel strings. Appreciating these organic occurrences magnifies the beauty of the unplanned, and eliminates an all-too-common air of superficiality. It's time to enjoy the details of entertaining.

 (p. 17, words by Andrea Gentl and Martin Hayers)

(photo source: 1 / 2)

from tonight's dinner:

 

(photo credit: andrewandcarissa)