What’s on the Table?
Years ago, I worked in the events and fundraising department at the seminary where my husband attended. Tables had to be set just so—crisp linen tablecloths, polished silverware, shiny crystal, and china plates. Each table needed to look identical and perfect, right down to the dessert fork placement and folded napkin. I will never forget […]
Welcoming Spaces + Healthier Hamburger Helper
We are currently searching for a new place to live. We’re used to moving; in our fifteen years living abroad, this will be our seventh home. As we hunt for the best option, one major consideration is the dining room space. Is there room for a table big enough to comfortably fit our now family […]
Your Seat is Saved
I was at a conference once where I didn’t know many people. I would often eat lunch or dinner with my new roommate, with whom I hit it off well, or with people who had just attended the same workshop. For breakfast I tended to find myself in the dining area alone. So, I did […]
Covered
Turkish breakfast is an event. You sit down at a table with a few friends. When the waiter comes over, you tell him you want the serpme kahvaltı. In Turkish, the word serpme means to cover. The waiter brings your tea in the tulip-shaped glass, and you dunk a sugar cube or two in there, […]
This Month’s Theme: Table
The table is more than just a place to eat. It’s where abundance is shared, where conversations spark, where friendships are formed and strengthened. Around the table, we experience hospitality, both given and received, and often feel the ache of longing when those connections are missing. Living cross-culturally brings unique joys and challenges to the […]