I don’t know about you but most of my favorite nights and memories have been just sitting around over food with my friends, talking the night away. Nothing really big happens, there was no big event, just good friends and good conversation.
My best friend since high school and I haven’t lived in the same city for 10 years. We are both terrible texters and have completely opposite schedules but we have fallen into this rhythm of getting together that I love.
Katie has fallen in love with Ina Garten and loves making her recipes for all of her friends (it’s pretty great to be in Katie’s company). I love this so much, I mean who doesn’t love having dinner made for them, but it’s more than that. It’s the details and the time spent that I love.
There is something about catching up with a friend over making a meal that feels so special. No phones, the mess of a counter covered in food and dishes, the smell of garlic and onion sizzling in a pan, the perfect song playing, and enjoying a glass of wine.
Time seems to slow, there is no rush to eat, it’s about the process of creating a meal and catching up.
Quality time is one of my favorite ways to spend time with my people and I think that it gets really hard to do as we get older. There is work, phones, different friends, family, significant others, it’s hard to find time to make a slow dinner with a friend, but when it happens, it’s magical and makes up for months of not seeing someone.
I think sometimes we can forget that a great night can be a simple one. We think we need to go to the newest rooftop bar, we need to fit in multiple stops in one night, we need to try to include everyone, and planning gets complicated trying to fit in everyone’s schedule.
But a simple night, with great food, great music, and great company, and be the best time and create the best memories with.
I love pulling out the nicer dishes I have, the fun glasses that I don’t use when I’m home alone. This adds an extra layer of fun to the mix.
So grab some wine, get out the fun dishes, and make that dinner you keep seeing on Pinterest and call your bestie to come over for dinner.
Need some inspiration? Try this amazing recipe from Ina Garten!
(Photo From Ina Garten website)