GATHER...

Growing up the dining room served as the gathering place for family during holidays and Sunday dinners.  We would pile into our dining room squeezing in an extra folding table and chairs just to make room for friends and family.  My mother and grandmother would cook up an Italian feast fit for a kingdom. As we sat around the table I would listen to stories from years past, debates about politics or just some funny and sometimes not so funny jokes my father, aunts or uncles would tell.  I could remember the feeling I would get as a child when I was surrounded by good food, family and friends.  Fast forward 25 plus years later and I am now the mother that cooks up delicious meals for her family.  Nothing makes me more happy then to host holidays and parties at my home for all to enjoy.  Our dining room is rather small but I prefer it that way.  The limited space forces those that are most precious to me to enjoy food, laughter and each other in an intimate cozy setting.

In the center of the room a large wooden dining table sits. The table has 8 cream colored leather chairs.  When we have gatherings we usually place folding chairs at each end of the table so that we can squeeze more people in.  Three silver colored pillar candles sit in the center of the table.  The vagrant scented candles can be smelled each time you enter the room.  Above the table you will find a white glass chandelier.  I purchased this from Crate and Barrel many years ago and have brought it with me to each house I have lived in.  The table sits on top of a blue and white area rug with complimentary curtain panels to match.  I purchased window curtains a bit longer then the windows and had my husband hang them twelve inches higher then the top of the window.  Hanging the curtains a bit higher elongates the windows.  In between the two windows you will find a wooden sign that reads GATHER.  It reminds me of how important it is to gather around the table with your family.  Time passes so quickly and all we have are memories to hold onto.  Hopefully the memories we create in this small dining room will last a life time.

Behind the table is an espresso stained color buffet that was given to us as wedding present when my husband and I got married.  A silver serving tray with wine and champagne glasses are centered in the middle along with a yellow vase and white candle that complete the look. Above the buffet is a bud like white mirror that matches the cream color chairs at the dining table.

In the corner of the room sits a green antique chair that belonged to my great aunt Helen.  Many of the pieces in my home once belonged to her.  My husband has claimed this chair as his own when we have family over for dinners.  He says that he is the king of his castle and the chair makes him feel the part.  My aunt Helen always loved my husband's sense of humor so I know she is pleased that he enjoys a piece of her history every time he sits in her chair.

On the wall three metal scripted wall art pieces are hunch.  They pick up on the chrome color of the candles that sit on the table.  They each have special messages for guests that come to sit at our table.

Another wall features a circuit metal candle holder.  Each time we sit in the dining room I light the candles which sets for a calming mood as you sip a nice glass of Chardonnay while enjoying your antipasto and empanadas.  Yes you heard me right...I grew up in an Italian household where I learned how to make meatballs, sauce and pasta but I also married a Puerto Rican man and we all know that all Puerto Ricans love their rice and beans.  So I learned how to make all of the traditional Puerto Rican dishes along with the traditional Italian dishes. I like to call it Spantalian.

 The first date that I had with my husband he came to my house after we finished playing a game of pool at a local billiards and he said he was hungry.  I took out left over pasta with breaded chicken cutlets, heated it up in the microwave and said I will be right back.  I was gone in under a minute and came back into the kitchen where I found his mouth stuffed with food and the plate looked like it had been licked clean by an animal or something.  I couldn't believe how fast he ate the food but from then on he has never left my side.  He always jokes and says her chicken cutlets had me from the start and I think he was right.  Over the years my mother in law who is one of my best friends has taught me all of the traditional Spanish dishes that we all love.  Now I am the one that roasts the pernil and makes arroz con gandules.

My hope is that our little ladies experience the same feeling I got when I was once small sitting at the table with my family. I hope they understand the value of family gathering together to enjoy a homemade meal and that they see how important it is to celebrate their unique heritage.  I hope that they have fond memories of the smell of pork cooking in the oven while laughter filled the room.  I hope that they cherish the people that are there and the people they once knew and try to hold on to the fond memories of gathering together.