Keep the mealtimes glowing

What wonderful feasts! What a great foodie time of year! And now it’s all over. The sparkling tablecloth has been removed (to the relief of Stephane who seemed to get covered in sparkly bits every time he came near to the table), the last of the leftovers have been recycled, and we have all caught up with our sleep having seen in the New Year with a momentous feast. There is a sort of dull, heavy feeling sweeping over us these last few days and I’m not sure if it is the anticipation of returning to school, the after effects of several bottles of champagne or simply the knowledge that it is all over. The party has come to an end.
Our new dining room and table was finally christened over the Christmas period, filled to capacity for every dining opportunity possible, including breakfast. But without the glistening table decorations, the cracker paper scattered all over the floor, without the leftover hats and candles, it all seems very mundane and ordinary. I don’t want the fun to stop just because Christmas is over. But I can feel the ordinary creeping back into our days, even in our mealtimes, in the choice of food and how we eat it.
We decided to indulge in some Mary Poppins the other afternoon, drooped in front of the television with a hot cup of tea. I remember watching this classic musical over and over again when I was little, entranced by the magic and adventures. It was only recently, since watching it with my children, that the true meaning and message of Mary Poppins hit me. As I sat snugly with the children its message, as if by magic, sang out to me again.
We can so easily get drawn into the hum-drum necessity of life, of work, work and more work. The same applies to the kitchen. It can soon become a tedious, tiring chore as day in, day out you churn out the meals. Christmas demonstrates to us all how mealtimes can be a pleasure, a fun occasion and yet it does not have to stop once the party is over. A little spark, a little imagination now and again, to feed the fun and keep the mealtimes glowing is all that is needed.
So as Mr Banks flies his kite, I nip into the kitchen to surprise the children.

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