The sun looks down on nothing half so good as a household laughing together over a meal.
-C.S. Lewis
I’m starting to settle in and I was actually able to have guests over. I’m trying to think of what would be the most dignified way to transcribe an excited squeal into text. Hhmm, let’s just say I was very excited to host twice in the same day.
My grandparents were my first guests. I had so much fun showing them around, pointing out all the things I (or my parents) had worked on. I also loved getting to show them how I had used or displayed some of the things that had been passed down through the family, including my great grandmother’s 1960’s seafoam blue sewing machine (which is being put to use once again).
A big part of hospitality involves food. Unfortunately, I don’t feel very confident in my culinary skills so cooking is often stressful for me. At the same time, I really want to be a good hostess and help make people feel at home. In mulling it over, I had the idea to ask my guests to send me a recipe they liked, I would get the ingredients, and they could help me make it (if timing/situation permitted). Then I would know what I was serving would be enjoyed by the guest, we’d both enjoy the time preparing the food together, and I would also learn to make a new dish.
My grandparents’ suggestion for our first meal was a recipe my grandmother first made in her Home Economics class in high school.
CREAMED TUNA FISH AND PEAS
- 4 tbs butter (we used plant butter)
- 4 tbs flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- dash of pepper
- 2 cups milk (we used almond milk)
- 1 cup canned tuna
- 1/2 cup canned peas
Melt butter in top of a double boiler. Add flour, salt and pepper. Stir till smooth. Add milk gradually. Stir constantly till thickened, cover and cook for 10 minutes. Add tuna fish and peas until heated through and serve over toast.
I never thought I’d be posting a recipe on a blog. Don’t worry, it probably won’t happen again. We really enjoyed our meal together! And I should add that the toast was provided compliments of the toaster my grandparents brought as a house warming gift. They also got me this sweet little hanging plant. Later that same day, I was able to have a friend over to help me make a little treat for the neighbors (more on that later I hope). It was a sweet time together catching up over tea and cookies afterwards.
When I did a quick search on “hospitality”, I was surprised to see most of the results relate to professional hospitality such as food or hotel service. Hospitality in the home seems to be lacking in our culture. Though there may be great enjoyment in sharing life with people in the work place, school, or for a night out, there is something so special about inviting them into your dwelling place, your safe space, your home. “Hospitality” derives from the Latin word “hospes” which interestingly enough could mean either “host” or “guest”. So, even though a good host will serve and put their guest first, hospitality isn’t entirely about the guest. It’s about developing a relationship. Food and laughter go a long way in bringing people together. If you aren’t into cooking, find another way to connect with guests and bring them into your home. Maybe your connection point is music, or board games. Maybe you want to create art in your home with others. Whatever it is, invite people into the space where you live.
Welcome To The Carriage House 