I travelled a long way the other day. Driving through mountain passes, past ravines, cliffs, through valleys and so on. Finally I landed back in my Mothers home town and headed to an old friends to stay the evening.
Tourist traffic had doubled the journey and I appeared over two and a half hours later than originally expected.
I rang the door bell and listened to its electronic dingle dongle sounds and suddenly the door was flung open and I was wrapped in the arms of my long time friend Julie. I had just about enough time to notice she looked really good, had a figure that usually makes me feel deeply inadequate (sigh) and she smelled nice and I was escorted to her divine conservatory to be patted and petted over for a wonderfully indulgent ten minutes. Glass of wine in hand, shoes off, big cushion and a snuggle into the huge leather suite (I swear it half swallows you ) and I settled to have a good old fashioned catch up natter.
Now I had been driving several hours and was thirsty so the wine drained into me and my body soaked it up like a dry sponge hitting a huge lake...yum. As i put the glass back on the table Julie said 'we are starving waiting for you' she was laughing as she said it...but I was stunned.
At this point I realised my friends, instead of eating a well deserved meal at a reasonable time had waited for me to arrive. No sandwiches on a plate, cling filmed and waiting my arrival oh no... they had a meal prepared and that set the tone for my blog today. Has anyone ever, waited for dinner on your behalf? isn't it a lovely gesture:? doesn't it make you feel so welcome?.
I've lost count of the times I have 'opened a tin' or nipped down to the cafe below me, perhaps the odd sandwich or worse, I've eaten a packet of biscuits with a cup of tea. It seems easier to 'send out' than to stay in and cook something decent. Here in my friends home, I was given the ultimate accolade.
Julie had marinaded the meat which took 24 hours, cut chopped, ground, melted, whisked, and innumerable other deftly applied techniques and was now eagerly cooking the sauce, Daz helping her by heating the Naan Bread and then the table was laid and I went and sat down and simply appreciated all the effort that had been taken to create a wonderful meal.
When was the last time you sat down, at a beautifully laid table, with shining cutlery, sparkling glasses, good food, good wine and good company ? its wonderful, its such a pleasant change from grabbing food while sat at my desk.
I sat looking at the shafts of light hitting the prisms in the glasses, the food smelled rich and aromatic, the Naan Bread lay being gently toasted over the table warmer and I ate in appreciative mood. We exchanged laughing comments, talked deeply about a few subjects. Had a few silent moments of appreciation as we each came to the end of a truly magnificent meal.
Was it worth the effort? well I can't speak for Daz or Julie but I can honestly say oh Yes ! To know how long this food had taken, the need to drive into town to buy the fresh produce, to marinade, prepare, cook and finally serve had been a small feat of planning and execution that many would simply not go to the bother of doing.
That Daz, having worked all day long, driving all over the north west, ravenous for his tea...waited so he could enjoy a meal with both his wife and myself...what a lovely gesture.
What a compliment to our friendship, what a beautiful gift from my friends to me. How lovely to know that my visit had been anticipated eagerly, that I deserved 'The Recipe' the favourite of all the family and several people who really would like to nick the actual recipe which is one of Julies own crafted meals.
I am humbled by their continued generosity towards me, to their consideration and above all to the ultimate gift of one friend to another...they waited for dinner.....for me.
Thank you my dear friends.
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