Last summer I embarked on a little experiment.  I decided to invite random people to our home for “supper” almost every Saturday night . . .ALL summer long.  Asking “why” is a good question, because it sounds (and was) a bit of hard work. But, I have to admit I had ulterior motives. 

The ”experiment” was primarily an attempt to get my husband (who is a teacher and stays home with our two children all summer) to clean the house once a week.  Yes, this is the evil, twisted plot of this O blog story.  We were living in squalor, so I just started inviting people over for dinner.   I even named it “something” as to make it sound purposeful and grandiose (to my husband) and friends.  And, geez - what better reason to HAVE to clean things up a bit.  People can’t stick to the floor upon entering your house - so, you have to make some domestic effort if for no other reason than to avoid food poisoning (which by the way, could put a major crimp in this overall experiment).

Thus began our “Summer of Suppers” and, I’d like to invite you via this blog to do the same thing this summer.  It was an amazing experiment.  Because for our family, it became nothing about cleaning the house - but, it became an awesome journey into the world of developing relationships with people that we might not otherwise had the reason to know better. 

So, why should Oprah know about this?  Because she is a relationship promoter and she often talks about having people into her home to share quality time spent together.  One of her most famous quotes sums it up:

I think that when you invite people to your home, you invite them to yourself. 

Oprah Winfrey

O, that is so true.  But, I’m here to open people up to the idea that it doesn’t have to include slaving over your house, preparing gourmet meals, serving the finest wine or making hand-trimmed place cards.  You know. . . the things you often see featured in her magazine or on her show?  The supper can be as simple as paper plates, a rotisserie chicken from your local grocery store, Jello salad and a gallon of cheap punch.  If you have good conversation, some open sharing and a little fun - nobody cares about the fancy stuff in the end.  Yet I have to admitt, it took us almost half the summer to evolve to this conclusion.  Towards the later part of the season, we served the same chicken and potatoes every weekend - nobody knew and in the end. . .nobody cared.  Heck some weekends we had people over Saturday and Sunday nights - chicken for everybody!

So, who do you invite?  Start by selecting people with children.  Hey, we never get invited anywhere.  And, I’m here to tell you - even though we have a couple of rowdy kids, we are still very interesting and engaging people. 

OK, seriously. . .start with people you know, but have never broken bread with before.  Invite the neighbors who live behind the garage door.  Invite the new guy at work and his family.  Invite the teacher who gave it all to your fourth grader this school year.  But, stick with one family or a just couple of people.   You don’t have to go crazy.  “Summer of Suppers” is NOT a party.  It’s relaxing, it’s good conversation and it’s about an environment conducive to getting to know someone beyond handing them a beer when they walk in the door and later finding their summer jacket on the coat rack. 

So, it’s May.  Start making a list of people.  Figure out your “weekly” chicken dish.  I promise that it will be fun if you let it be fun.  And, this is from someone who used to obsess over the plate garnish.  Curly radishes for everybody!

Let “Summer of Summers” introduce you to new friendships and understanding. . . the understanding that you care and your doors are “O” so open to letting the world in behind your garage door.

And, if you have a husband who needs to clean your house. . .this is a good plan for that, too. 

 

PS - I’d like to encourage you to comment on this blog with stories, recipes and simple ideas about how to entertain.  Let’s make it the best “Summer of Suppers” together!   :)