Monday, September 14, 2009

Table For You

To commemorate our 12th year of marriage, my husband gifted me with new dishes. I've been wanting some for awhile now and my husband found just what I've been looking for. Service for 12, including napkin rings, all in a glorious red which will make my holiday tables look yummy.

I swooned. Partly for the new dishes and partly for my loving husband who secretly found out the details of what I wanted and surprised me.

It seems silly to get excited about new tableware but I couldn't help myself. My sturdy Pfaltzgraf had served me well and it seemed superfluous to choose something new just for the sake of it being new. But cooking is my passion. Setting a beautiful table makes me feel my most womanly self. Having friends and family gather around to delight in something I've made makes me who I am.

And now I get to do it with red plates.

My husband will tell you that cooking is my love language. That when I don't know what else to do or want to show someone how much they mean to me, I cook. If someone is coming to town I try to do something special. I will stay up late, get up early, chop and cook and stir and bake for hours. I will often cook to exhaustion, getting frustrated when a cake falls or a sauce doesn't thicken just right because I want it to be perfect. I want you to feel my love through what I've made. I want you to know just how much you mean.

I had never thought about it that way before, how this is what I do for those I love until my husband pointed it out. I would have said "phooey on that! I tell people how much they mean to me, I hug them tight and hold them close. I don't just cook!" But none of that is actually true. What is true is that I'm actually like the beautiful Viane Rocher who pours her thoughts and feelings into her foods in hopes of evoking something in those she feeds.

Setting a table is important to me. Making things nice and pretty and special are lost arts in today's world but in my home, they matter. It matters that we all sit down together, whoever finds themself at my door, and that we share a meal made with love. I'm so grateful for my sweet husband who cheers me on as I try to outdo the last meal and encourages me as I go. For being someone that I want to cook for again and again. And most importantly, for feeding my need to make it nice and loving me while I work in the kitchen.

11 comments:

Time is my love language said...

We LOVE that you love us with good food! But, I'm glad you don't expect us to love you back in the same way... because you mean more to me than that Campbell's soup casserole, I promise!

tharker said...

I would agree with Brad. Cooking is absolutely YOUR love language, and I have felt it many times. Thank you for always sharing your love for us! And for the record, you don't ONLY show it through food, I've felt it in many other ways. You're a wonderful friend, and I love you!

Sarah said...

Oh, how nice. That is a great anniversary present. Brad is a thoughtful guy to think of something you would really want and use. You have a lucky family to feel the time and love you put into making your home a special place.

::lindsay said...

I can't wait to eat on them..err..umm..I mean see them... :)

Linda Richards said...

Hmmmm, I don't remember you ever baking anything for me. . .
(I'm kidding - LOVED the lemon bars and lasagna and bread sticks.)

Melanie said...

My brother said once, people show you how they love you, not say it and that has stuck with me. I love that you show it in such a scrumptious way!!! Beautiful post!

Lisa said...

I learned something new about you in this post. I didn't know you loved to cook so much! It sounds like I could learn a lot from you- esp. setting the table. Good post.

Heather said...

A place setting for every year! Was that planned? Can't wait to see what you post next... a scrumptious meal?

Kate said...

that is so sweet! What a nice husband :)
I love this post, we must be a lot alike, cause I couldn't have written it better myself. Making people smile through baked goods/meals is awesome :)

Amy said...

I love this Karen!! I wish my love could be shown through food, maybe it is, since Jeff is allergic to pretty much everything on the planet, I have to try and be as creative as I can with what he can actually eat. But boy do I envy those who can experiment and create beauty through cooking. And I just love your husband for showing his love for you through dishes. Now that is what all need, more dishes!!

Michele said...

Good for Brad. You really did need new dishes.