Dinner with Myself

  Do you ever eat alone?   My 25-year old daughter lives with me, but when she is out with friends, I eat alone.  Not complaining, mind you, I'm used to eating alone.   Usually when alone, I eat on the run, grabbing a bite here and there while working on a project, or while watching TV.  I rarely set myself a place at the table if it is just me. ~ But not tonight.  It was a perfectly glorious day ~ you know, the kind that you want to savor and never want to end. So, even though I was just having leftovers (delicious fish tacos), I set myself a place at the table on the deck, and drank in the beauty of a meal enjoyed outside.  

It's these times of slowing down that I realize how blessed I am, and how wonderful life can be.  Listening to the birds sing and the locusts in the trees was far better than any man made music.  The chickens were roaming around the yard chattering to themselves and the dog was sitting under my chair, waiting for any leftovers.  In this moment, all was right in the world.

Sitting at the table made me realize how much beauty is all around me . . . beauty I hardly notice when I'm intently working on a project and eating on the run.

  And because it was too pretty to go inside, as darkness fell, I sat on the porch and savored the gift of a glorious day.

So here's to eating alone . . . slowing down . . . and setting a pretty table.  These are the kind of days that summer memories are made of . . . the kind that warm you on a cold winter day. ~ An afterthought: I was reading my devotions this morning and came across these verses in Psalm 103: 1-2. "Bless the Lord, O my soul:  and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:" David goes on to list his benefits in the rest of the chapter.  These verses and my dinner alone, remind me that sometimes you have to slow down to remember all your blessings and benefits ~ something I plan to do more often.  ~ Linking with   French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday ~ The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home ~ Between Naps on the Porch  for Tablescape Thursday