I lived with my father and my Uncle Tony senior year of high school. I got in the habit of making dinner and taught myself to cook a few things. Chicken parmesan and a simple salad was one of my favorite meals to make. Uncle T. insisted on iceberg lettuce.
Their stove was intimidating. Everything relied on double action metal levers that needed some muscle to lift. For the first few months, it went like this: me double shifting handles like a video game, followed by six small but intimidating flames saying, “Boo! Ha Ha.” When you lit the broiler with a short wooden match it was much scarier. You heard a whoosh as a formidable, rectangular flame burst from the edges of the lid. I hated using the broiler. Today, I worship the whole stove because it is beautiful and venerable. All curves like an old Cadillac. The white enamel surfaces are shiny, smooth and reassuring. My grandparents bought their Chambers Stove in 1935, and it was still working when we sold their apartment.
The three of us sat down most weekday nights, using one of two sets of placemats: the plastic rectangles with scenes from the Georgetown University campus coated in plastic or the spongy green ovals that were hard to clean because the surfaces were porous. We used Vanity Fair dinner napkins, Noritake china, and fancy stainless steel flatware at every sitting. There was a beautiful large green porcelain bowl in the center of the table, set on silver footings, with crystal candle sticks on either side. We drank Tab and iced tea from glass tumblers etched with flying geese. We had nice little chats about our day, and I couldn’t have been happier. On Wednesdays we moved a dining chair to either side of a recliner and watched Dynasty. We were big fans.
Sunday dinner is a beloved ritual today. Our children Matt and Emma are grown up, but they still come over for dinner most Sundays. I always use cloth napkins. We have five sets of dinnerware, two of which are handmade. This may seem indulgent, but setting a nice table is important to me, and I like variety. The fifth is our wedding china which we don’t use because we are lazy dish washers.
My husband Mark does the cooking now (yippie!) He makes a great chicken parmigiana. Sunday dinner is on the stove, football is in the background, and I’m reminded how lucky we are. Sending lots of love, Maureen
Emma
Chicken parm is always my favorite meal! I’m so glad we were a sit-down-for-dinner family. It was one of the best parts of growing up.
Maureen Goldman
ooooh, who loves you?
Matthew
Sunday dinner has become one of the most important rituals in my life. I’m so happy we live close enough to do this so often.
Maureen Goldman
Thanks Mattie! All music to my ears.
Barb Polman
What a great ritual! Too bad we don’t live closer! Another great one Maureen! ❤️
Maureen Goldman
Thank you Barb! You are a family dinner role model. You’re such a good entertainer!