Food and drinks are necessities of life that sustain us, and small, simple touches can make our meals some of our happiest moments of the day. 

This isn’t going to be the most earth-shattering blog post. If you know anything about me, you already know that I think that simple things are the best.

A favorite pepper grinder.

The mug that reminds you of your happy place.

Fresh-picked wildflowers.

Honeycomb.

First cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil.

We over-complicate life. Okay, maybe not you. I think I do. As a kid, I visualized my future and assumed that I would have linens on the table for every meal, doilies, teapots and teacups with matching saucers, tea-stained boiled eggs, and the list goes on.

And then, I married Dennis. 

Marriage is about the merging of styles and developing your signature moves. Together.

And so, we changed for each other.

Strangely, I have two plastic bins of vintage linens from my aunt, and I rarely use them. When I do, it feels too stuffy. Not for me. Not for us. 

It’s a mindset.

Instead of that linen-inspired vision of my youth, I kept the spirit alive in other ways. I open my mind to little ways of elevating moments to be more memorable. For instance,

• I keep my eyes open for serving dishes and trays when I travel because they always bring happy memories whenever I use them.
• My pantry has stashed jars of cornichons, homemade pickled beets, and honeycomb, so I’m always ready to serve.
• I have a cornucopia of Microplanes that does quick work in zesting a lemon for that extra oomph or grating Parmesan to finish a dish.
• I love the slow motion and sound of twist-twist-twist from the peppercorn grinder.
• The joy of getting lost in the slow drizzle of my first cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil before serving soup.
• I keep an Italian-style water bottle in the fridge, ready for guests to put on the table. (amazon associates link)

It’s worth it.

Life is fast. And it’s getting faster. 

We run and complain that we can’t slow down. We slow down by cutting corners and getting fast food we eat without enjoyment.

Let’s cut corners where it makes sense (I’m looking at you, automatic car wash). Yet can we please add more joy to the everyday? 

Food and drink are necessary for life and sustain us to live. Adding small, simple touches to meals ensures we can keep on LIVING. 

If you’re single… it’s worth making yourself that one-egg omelet with the hollandaise sauce on a pretty plate.

If you’re married… it’s worth serving a signature drink in special glasses to toast the end of the day.

If you’re a parent… it’s worth sneaking fun napkins into your kiddo’s lunch box.

You’re worth it.

They’re worth it

Small, simple touches are worth it.

Eat well, my friend.

Lyndi

You might also like...

How to make a spicy black soybean soup. How to organize your kitchen gadget drawer. It’s getting cold outside… so it must be time for rustic roasted vegetables.