Pass Me the Chipped Plates Please

Why do we save stuff? Why do we have "good" clothes that are only suitable for going out and then we have "house" clothes we prefer noone, not even the dog, see us in? Why do we have "good" dishes and "everyday" dishes? Why do we not light candles but save them for special occasions like  parites or anniversaries? Why do most of us (present company NOT included) only eat in our Dining Rooms rarely, if ever? I will tell you why...it's because we DO NOT, under ANY circumstance, want to muck up our "stuff!"

In the past, I have also fallen victim to this "saving stuff for special occasions" illness... Yes, it is an illness! In our home in Arizona, our oldest daughter, Alyssa, dubbed the Dining Room the "Anniversary Room" because that is how often we ate in there! Isn't that sad? Life is too dear to squander! Live generously people! Wear the clothes! Use the "good" stemware and for goodness sake, chip the plates! Bring your children and loved ones into the kitchen with you and cook! Spill flour! Spill milk! Eat in the Dining Room! Leave the crumbs on the counter and be part of the celebration of life! 

I gave my mother permission to use the silver and heirloom china she has in her home. I asked her,
'Why do you never used that stuff?'
and she said, 'Because she wanted to pass it down to me in perfect condition.
I then asked her, 'Do you enjoy the dishes and silver?
She said 'No. I never use it.'
I said, "USE IT! PLEASE!"
She turned her big, brown eyes to me and exclaimed, 'YOU'RE RIGHT! WHAT AM I DOING?'

 Isn't this the vicious circle most all of us are in right now? We have rooms we do not use. Furniture we do not sit on. Clothes we do not wear. Dishes we do not eat from and kitchens that go unused. Life is about moments. Food you make at home, with love, becomes part of those moments...

Go out and make some moments in the Dining Room, on your best china, while drinking from heirloom stemware, with candles glowing and music wafting in from the kitchen; which is in disarray. 

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