Dinner

Preparations are underway for the arrival of family this afternoon -- probably 12 of them. Three pounds of grapes will be gone by tomorrow morning.

This is an eating crowd and it pleases me. Dinner is always a mix of formality, tradition and fun. Two prayers are offered -- a Presbyterian Prayer and a Catholic Prayer, which is followed immediately by the younger children trying to beat each other to say "Let's Eat." Grampy Ron taught one of them to say that three years ago, much to the chagrin of Grammy Joan, and it is now a tradition to be passed along to babies -- much to the chagrin of Grammy Joan.

There will be a toast of wine and sparkling cider with clinking glasses and all saying "Cheers." The younger ones wil drain their cordial glass of the sparking cider and want more before anything is passed.

Tonight I will prepare Hungarian Goulash -- "Paprikash" as Flippo, King of the Clowns would call it while applying his make-up with me sitting next to him. Parslied noodles will accompany as will grilled zucchini from the Giles' Family Garden. There will also be applesauce for the children who haven't learned to appreciate anything zucchini other than zucchini Bread. A green salad will be presented as will a selection of breads -- crusty and otherwise.

There will be a clamor from the children about dessert. Fruit and cheeses will be offered -- a lovely Chevre, a Saga-type blend, a Vermont Cheddar, and Dutch Prima Dona with Pears, Apples and Grapes.

The eight year old will come by and whisper in my good ear, "Do you have any ice cream?" She knows the answer because each of the children, unobtrusively, has inspected the cookie jars, candy dishes and freezer within minutes of entering the house, but asking is part of the routine. "Why, yes, I do," I will say which will set up a controlled chant of "Ice Cream, Ice Cream, Ice Cream" which would have made the Gregorians smile.

I love our family dinners.