Comments on: How to Share at Family Dinners

By: Practical Mommy

Practical Mommy — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 00:17:23 +0000

P.S. Tonight we read, “Kids: what is the most important thing your parents have taught you so far?”

(pause)

“What DORK means.”

By: Tom

Tom — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 23:07:26 +0000

Thanks for a wonderful day hanging out at your blog. What a lively, informative, and fun place it is. And thanks for all your good words about The Meal Box. Our wish for you is that you enjoy countless wonderful, memorable meals with those you love. –Bret and Tom

By: ZenMommy

ZenMommy — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 22:53:56 +0000

…and on the outstanding meal…our first dinner as a married couple on our honeymoon in Greece. We were jet lagred but sooo excited to be there so we showered up and went out on the town. A romantic walk to a spot around the corner with a roof top table and a view of ancient Greece…and my sweetie. ahhhh. Thank you for the memory. I have not thought of this night for years. It makes me want to go out and buy two plane tickets …(or at the very least cook something Grecian tonight ;p)

By: ZenMommy

ZenMommy — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 22:47:37 +0000

…BRUCE SPRINGSTEINS “I SAW MAMA KISSIN SANTA CLAUS…: ;P

By: Practical Mommy

Practical Mommy — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:50:28 +0000

Yes, there was a meal… in Portofino in 1999. We were the only table at the Restaurante Puny and I had THE best pomodoro ever. We stayed for 2 hours and visited with the owner. I think that man was what made it so memorable. His appreciation for his children and for his life. It was really cool!

By: Colleen

Colleen — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 20:48:58 +0000

I always think of the quasi- last meals. Before someone goes on a trip, dinner the last night on vacation, before someone goes off to college, even something as simple as the night before the first day of school. Those meals always have a sense of the next step and really can be markers in your life.

By: Tom

Tom — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:49:40 +0000

Here’s a question: Is there some meal in your life that stands out head and shoulders above the rest? Maybe it was momentous or simple. With a big crowd or just one other person. Wanna share?

By: Tom

Tom — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:26:06 +0000

Good question, Bret. I suspect that it has a lot to do with the inner anticipation that the holidays hold–whatever holidays that are meaningful to us. It’s the same way getting ready for vacations. And I suspect that it might just be something we have to go through to get to the goodies of the holiday, the relaxation of vacation, or even meal time connection with people we care about. And perhaps it’s the avoidance of that in-between time (like entering a party where you know you’ll probably have a great time but aren’t sure if any of your friends are there yet) that keeps us from doing the things we know would be good for us and fun and in fact satisfying. Then again, it might be the chipmunks on the radio singing about their blasted hula hoop.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:25:36 +0000

UGH! There are so many! Do I have to only pick one? Bing’s “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas.” Although we always put on the Partridge Family Christmas when we decorated. My sister will put that album on even in the middle of summer to help her de-stress!

By: Bret Nicholaus

Bret Nicholaus — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:50:24 +0000

Forgot to post my own answer to the question.
The song I can’t WAIT to hear is “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” I’m not much for sentimental songs, but I truly LOVE that one. Oh, and the version I like best is the one sung by country artist Vince Gill (you know, one of those guys that could sing the phone book and you’d listen??). The song always brings back such wonderful family memories for me of the time when I was little.

By the way, Tom, you mention the decorating of the tree. Not sure what it is, but at least in our family, decorating the tree can be a very stressful time. I have heard this from many others, as well. I wonder what it is with decorating a Christmas tree and stress filling the room. The lights get strung up, while everyone else in the room gets unstrung!!

Bret