Perfectionism can be a robber of relationships! People who are perfectionistic often believe that making mistakes makes them less successful, less likeable, and even less worthy of people. Let me tell you a story …
I was a young mother of one son with one on the way. My husband came home and informed me we were going to dinner at a new friend’s home in Ashland, OR. I was a little apprehensive, not knowing this family, and also a little intimidated, knowing that he was an artist!
I walked in to this unique home with the husband’s incredible artwork displayed around the house, on every wall! The house was a little … chaotic … to say the least, and unorganized. Kids (they had 4) were running all over the place. The aroma was out-of-this-world delicious-smelling! Then we sat down to a feast of the best Italian cooking I’ve ever tasted. The food was seasoned perfectly with the exact amount of garlic. The hostess was absolutely gorgeous inside and out. Her dark Italian eyes were piercing and her smile was so welcoming. Her hair was mussed up and I don’t even remember her clothing, but she glowed while she served up the pasta, poured the wine, and broke the bread.
Our conversation was … different. It was real. I thought to myself, these people are not trying to impress! They truly care about us, about our family and our lives! Even though their home seemed to be out of order, they understood that hospitality is a matter of the heart! That it is an essential ingredient for rebuilding community, restoring relationship, reconciling races, and reviving families! What a lesson for us to learn as a young couple!
This dinner, about 14 years ago, impacted our lives. This great man went on to be a photography and writing mentor in my husband’s life. What I learned that Sunday afternoon was what true hospitality was all about. It wasn’t about perfection; it was about loving others and going deeper into their lives. I learned that it is not only a gift I HAVE but a gift I GIVE. It is the glue that weds TRUTH in RELATIONSHIP.
Not long after this meal we were saddened to experience the death of this young father. He left behind a beautiful Italian bride with 4 children. We lost touch with her as she moved her family to California. But their family remains in our hearts as we named our son who I was pregnant with at the time, after Garrett Miller.
Here’s an easy recipe that I like to use when hosting another family. It’s a BUDGET recipe and EASY for entertaining! I usually cook 2 chickens at a time.
ROASTED CHICKEN
1 whole chicken
2 red onion
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
¼ cup red wine
pressed garlic
seasonings of your choice
Rinse the chicken (cut off any fat) & remove giblets, neck & liver and put on the bottom of baking pan. Peel and slice onions thinly and put on top of giblets. Choose your favorite seasoning and rub inside the chicken, along with the garlic. Then place the whole chicken on top of the onions. Pour the balsamic vinegar and wine on top. Season with more spices and salt and pepper.
Bake at 350 for 2 hours (uncovered). Carve and serve with the onions.
YUMMY SMELLING and DELICIOUS TASTING!
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4 comments:
Wow, that's some story! What was your entertaining style like before you experienced theirs? You seem really "real" now, in a classy-kinda way!
Way back then ... I was more nervous about planning the meal and I didn't know how to really "enjoy" my company! Instead of the reluctant entertainer I would have to say I was the "uptight" entertainer!
Ooo--sounds like another interest post! Could that be part of the reason your hubby was a reluctant entertainer? Cuz entertaining stressed out his wife?
No, my fear of entertaining and having to have things *perfect* stressed out my husband. Last minute trying to *pull it all together* kind of stress. And he had his own issues of fear .. I'll write about that later ....
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