Dinner with the Newlyweds

Yesterday Denny and I enjoyed our first dinner in the home of the newlyweds. Since Chris and Heather couldn't make it to our New Year's Feast, their invitation to us for a visit and shared meal in their Gig Harbor home was very special.

Denny and I were reminiscing about the first time we invited our four parents to our home on Graustark Street in Houston several months after we were married. We think it might have been a Mother's Day Brunch in 1978. Denny cooked the meal and I made the dessert which we recall was fresh strawberries with creme anglaise. Inviting the parents over for a meal was a big deal. We cleaned up extra well, discussed the menu in detail, and divided up the tasks much as we've done ever since when hosting an event in our home. Time passes and now we are in the privileged position to enjoy a meal in the home of our son and his new bride. What's not to love about that?

We arrived at their home in late afternoon; the gray clouds drizzling, the last light of day sneaking off over the Olympic Mountains as we crossed the Tacoma Narrows Bridge heading west. We've been inside their home several times before but this visit was special; they're now a married couple and it was much fun to see all that they've done to turn house into home. The Christmas tree and other decorations were still up. Much as we did for our first Christmas together, Heather and Chris bought inexpensive ornaments (I bet some of them will weather the wear and tear of years of use and become treasured "oldies but goodies" someday) and received special ornaments as gifts to mark the occasion of their first Christmas as husband and wife.

Chris and Heather planned a wonderful meal, a favorite (whole) spicy chicken recipe from Heather's family was the main dish. Denny and I got a kick out of Chris; he'd never made this dish before and (actually) has never made a recipe calling for a whole chicken. He admitted to Denny that he prepares meals for friends with confidence but fixing a meal for "the revered cook" of the Maher household was fraught with trepidation. We laughed about his culinary jitters and Denny being the good sport that he is helped Chris with the finer details of the recipe. I know for myself (never having worked with a whole chicken either.....I'm so spoiled having a husband that cooks) I'd have been in over my head the first time too. All ended well though; the sauce was terrific, especially over the brown rice that accompanied the seasoned chicken. A green salad with dressing from a local shop in Gig Harbor rounded out the meal. Delicious.

I'd say a good time was had by all. Can't wait for the next chance to share a meal together. Didn't you say we should do this once a month, Heather? Sounds grand to us!

It's definitely fun to watch kids grow into adults and carry on as attentive hosts in their own home. It's good. All good.