luluIf you really want to make a friend, go to someone’s house and eat with him. The people who give you their food give you their heart.
Cesar Chavez
How grateful I am to have friends who enjoy planning, preparing and gathering for a once a month dinner where a lot of heart is given. All of us contribute to the meal, which is always wonderful, and the hostesses do a bang up job of preparing the table.
The most recent dinner was a visual treat. The delicately designed dishes are quite old, a memory of the hostess’s mother.
Without question, they made a lovely setting when combined with silver and glass.
Playing off the pale green in the pattern, the hostess found the perfect linen tablecloth and napkins. All together the look was quite elegant at the same time warm and friendly.
A few days before our gathering a storm blew through that flattened many of the small blooming things. The hostess was clever enough to see that her damaged flowers perfectly matched the colors in the china, so, voila, a just right centerpiece made in a silver bowl.
So there would not be question about where each person sat, there were name tags directing us to our place. That is always a thoughtful gesture.
The first course, a zucchini mold, happened to be my assignment. It was something with which none of us were familiar, so we all experienced a new taste treat. Not only was it tasty, it was easy to prepare which makes it worthy of making again as it gives a whole new way of presenting zucchini.
Zucchini Mold
1/4 c. extra virgin olive oil
2 lbs. zucchini, finely diced
1 yellow onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 eggs
1 c. grated Parmesan
1 T. chopped Italian parsley
1 T. unsalted butter
1/4 c. fine dried bread crumbs
Preheat an oven to 350. Grease a 9″ ring mold or individual molds with butter and coats the bottom and sides with the bread crumbs. Warm the oil in a skillet. Add zucchini, onion and garlic and cook until tender.Add a little water, if needed, to keep the mixture moist. Remove from heat and let cool. Transfer the zucchini mix to a bowl and add eggs, cheese and parsley. Season with salt and pepper. Mix well and spoon into prepared mold(s). Bake about 20 minutes or until firm. Invert onto serving dishes and serve immediately. (6 servings)
i so appreciate your visit and the comments you leave behind
Changing houses takes a little time to settle in, but there is one thing that has priority, and I don’t mean unpacking suitcases or going to the grocery. I mean getting the porch ready for the hours we spend there.
The porch is where we often start our day enjoying morning coffee
and watching the lobster boats heading out for or returning from the day’s work.
It is where we relax with a book,
observe the birds that come to the feeder
enjoy time with friends and family
and have afternoon tini time.
Once the furniture is in place, the next step is to go to the nursery to replenish the potted plants that did not make it through the winter.
Now all is done and that means I can sit and rock. 
There are few things I like better than spending time with friends, especially those evenings when we gather around the table to share a meal.
I love the laughter
and the sometimes energetic discussions, most of which seem to evolve around politics. These days that subject can evoke a lot of emotion as well as some pretty funny comments.
Dinner is always a treat, and most of the time it is a meal to which we’ve all contributed. That way no one has to spend all day in the kitchen, and everyone is comfortable having played a part in the preparation.
What I particularly get a kick out of is the effort made to set a lovely table.
Again and again I see how that is opportunity for one to express their unique creativity. Too, an inviting table always makes the food taste even better!
After that unexpected stop in Portsmouth, we proceeded next day to the last of our scheduled destinations, Dolphin Marina on the Harpswell Peninsula in Maine.
After a peaceful night, the morning was greeted with super, both in size and taste, blueberry muffins that disappeared so quickly I almost didn’t get a shot!
On a perfect day to be asea, we decided on a leisurely cruise that would allow taking in all the beauty that defines Maine’s midcoast. What I see along the shore and on the islands that dot the bay never ceases to enchant me. There are few places where I feel more at peace or more grateful for the privilege that is my life
and, of course Indian Island at the entrance to Rockport Harbor.
As we enjoyed clam rolls, we chatted about our five day adventure, and the good news is we four are still friends after sharing close quarters and some harrowing moments. These are the kind of people you like to have in your corner! I’m glad to have had you along, too.
To reengage with friends, I make an effort to have someone over for dinner most every week.
Many, especially the husbands, are very appreciative because most of our Houston friends have ceased to prepare meals at home but opt to eat out or pick something up.
Most of the dinners are quite simple as the purpose is to visit. The table isn’t fussy either, but I do give some thought to the personalities that will gather round it and go from there.
Like many of you, I have lots of dishes and since I have no rules for how they are used, mixing and matching comes naturally. 
Often, I have no idea what is going to happen, but surprise is part of the fun.
Can you tell I was in a very playful mood, pushing the boundaries with pattern, color and texture. Whether or not a table setting makes the food taste better is debatable, but it sure does go a long way toward making people feel welcome and in many cases reflect the character of the people who join there. What would you say about this foursome?
