put yourself in the equation

How apropos that the start of the new year and decade is 2020. Perhaps all of our resolutions should take a fresh look at things. While some of you might already have long or short lists, I’ll offer up one little challenge- what if in the coming year you pledge to meaningfully connect at your dining room table. Here’s the catch- do it in a way that puts you at the table.

That means putting yourself in the equation. Which means finding a way to make it work for you. Not locked in the kitchen, and not dreading all the prep, planning, and clean up. But finding a way that your dining room table (whatever that might look like for you) actually brings you joy and an eagerness to gather at it over and over again.

Personally, my dining room table has always been a safe haven. I eat at it almost every night. During the day it has historically held my typewriter and currently my laptop. In terms of meals in the 1980’s I dined with my newlywed husband at it in our 600 square foot Manhattan apartment. In the 1990’s it was just me and my baby girls in my Midwest suburban home. In the 2000’s it was still my growing girls, but also a table of revolving dates, because let’s be clear- if you’re not bringing it to the (dining room) table then there’s no point bringing it anywhere else.

One night in the fall of 2005, I served up veal medallions in a reduction sauce with wild mushrooms along with pureed carrots and sautéed spinach. Let’s just say it was love at first bite. After a decade of flying solo at my dining room table, I discovered an incredible soul and dinner-mate. (Fast forward to 2020- he is now a breakfast, lunch and dinner mate- but that’s for another post!)

So wherever you see yourself – on your own, having your first gatherings, with another, with a family, alone with children, entertaining solo, dining for two, or navigating the table for one- let’s figure out how to make it work for you in a way that puts you in the equation. And that means putting yourself at the table.

From this vantage point 2020 is sure to be very bright.

I’m so fortunate to wake to this Chicago sunrise.

And here’s the Cali view that greets me each morning as I walk my dog. Blessings and inspiration abound. Looking forward to seeing where this adventure takes us!