I’ve been writing about dinner parties lately. A lot. As these weird, scary political times continue, I feel compelled to surround myself with people I care about and feed them. It’s a sense of control, probably false, but it makes the world make sense.
Something in me decided that I wanted to document these dinners. 10 years ago I bought this large Moleskin notebook and I’ve faithfully documented every gathering. The date, who was there and what we eat have all been noted. I’m not sure what compelled me to do this but now it’s full, almost exactly 10 years after I started, and it’s one of the best things I own.
First and foremost it puts life into perspective. I had Bill and Lucy over two years ago? I haven’t had Carrie over for 8 months? Why do I only serve chicken to Taylor and Toponia? Here it all is and it really brings home how tricky memory and nostalgia can be.
I also love it for ideas. Just like we listen to particular music at certain periods of our lives, we also make particular dishes. I love seeing the waves of mole or roast chicken and the subtle evolution that takes place.
I wish my handwriting were more clear, however.
Anyway, I love this thing and recommend it for you if you are of a similar mindset.
What a wonderful idea! I tried keeping a list of people we invited for dinner and what they did not like and/or their individual allergies, but that didn’t last very long. The list was on my laptop, and eventually I “lost” the list. Sometimes, I think, real paper works best!
This is such a lovely idea! Sadly I have never done this, however I shall pass the notion onto my daughter and daughters-in-law.
You are, dare I say it, America’s host!
You are much nicer than I am. My daughter went through her vegitarian phase which was a huge pain in the you know what. And now we must deal with the glucose intolerant and those with peanut allergies.A good friend of ours says that kale was invented by Satan.
I’m with Louie CK. If we just ignore those with food allergies for a year or so, natural selection will sort everything out.
I hope that Trump is allergic to something, other than immigrants and liberals.
Why is it necessary to make a hateful remark on a perfectly lovely post??
Wonderful in every way.
Lovely. 🙂
You need a beautiful Fillion journal to hold your Moleskine notebooks. That’s what they are handmade to do. Check them out
littlemountainbindery.com
With a few lapses here and there, I have kept track of every dinner I’ve made since I started cooking regularly about 14 years ago. I guess this is a little obsessive, but looking back on previous years and ideas can be so helpful.
I think this would be such an interesting treasure to keep. For many (possibly 34?) years I have jotted down what I made for dinner in my diary, though I’ve definitely skipped some hunks of time. I do find it very interesting and helpful to look back.
I am of this mindset and am pleased and amazed to find that others do it also. Just reading your remarks made me think back to all the loving dinners I’ve made over the years for family and friends, like finding the 4×6 cards in an old cookbook of menu and guests. Though I did not do it in an organized manner, I will from now on, as soon as I get a new luscious notebook! thank you