When Clif and I were younger and my knees weren’t as creaky, we liked nothing better than to cook up a storm and to have people over for dinner. Sometimes the gatherings were smallish—eight to ten people—and sometimes they were largish—twenty or more. Those were the days when I got out of bed like a shot and could zoom through the day.
Sad to say, but those days are gone. I keep busy with my writing, my gardens, and my home, but I don’t have the zip of my younger years. Nevertheless, we still like having people come over for a visit. Somehow, it is cozier to gather in a home than it is to meet in a restaurant, no matter how casual the place.
As the saying goes, where there is a will, there is a way, and we have figured out how to entertain so that it doesn’t take a toll on my creaky knees. Our first strategy has been to have people come over midafternoon for tea and coffee. Most of our friends are retired and now have a flexible schedule. Making up a batch of bars, muffins, or quick bread is no problem at all, and what a pleasure it is to gather around the dining room table and talk. Also, a midafternoon event usually gives me enough time to write in the morning, which is something I do six days a week.
Our second strategy, for friends who have not retired, is to have a nibbles and tidbits gathering late afternoon, around 3:30 or 4:00. On Saturday, this is what we did, and here is what we served.
I am happy to report that the tomatoes and cucumbers came from my little back garden.
Last Saturday, we invited our friend Jill over. Years ago, Jill came to Maine from New York City, and how we met her is an interesting story.
When our daughter Dee graduated from Bard College, she decided to move to New York City. Her first job was with Macmillan Publishing, and one of her first bosses was Jill.
One day, when we were talking on the phone to Dee, she said, “Guess what? My boss Jill is moving to Maine.”
Really? To Maine from New York City?
“Yeah,” Dee continued. “And she’s planning on moving to central Maine, in the Waterville/Augusta area, where you live.”
What the heck is she going to do here?
“She’s going to work for Thorndike Press in Waterville. They publish large print books.”
Well, son of a biscuit. That was the last thing we expected to hear, and we wondered how someone who lived in Manhattan would adjust to living in central Maine.
As it turned out, Jill has adjusted just fine and loves it here. Over the years, we have become friends, and we always look forward to getting together with her.
On Saturday, Jill brought over chips, salsa, and an utterly delicious homemade guacamole, which we scoffed down. (Unfortunately I didn’t get a picture of her lovely tray of food.) We talked into the early evening, the conversation ranging from family to politics to books.
We didn’t solve the problems of the world, but we sure made a stab at it.
But one thing is certain—having nibbles and tidbits with friends is a fine way to entertain.
Notes From the Hinterland 
This sounds so good and the food in the trays very tempting.
Many thanks!
It’s a lovely way to entertain Laurie and the cucumber and tomatoes from your garden look delicious! 🙂💖🍅 xxx
They were pretty tasty. Nothing like fresh veggies.
Good food, good friends– who needs more? 🙂
Right you are!
Sounds and looks excellent.
Thanks, Susan!
Looks so good! Especially your own produce.
Those tomatoes and cukes were pretty tasty, if I do say so myself. 😉
I have had friends in the past who made dinner party giving a competetive sport – who could cook the most elaborate food, have the fanciest table setting or whatever. Having people round for morning coffee or tea and cake in the afternoon is much less work and just as enjoyable.
You bet! Plus, because it is not as tiring as fixing a big, elaborate meal, you can have friends over more often if the food is simple.
That’s my favorite way to entertain! Or dessert and coffee. If you come to dinner at my house, you’ll probably get take out. 😄
And that would be just fine. I’ve come to realize that in the end what really matters is the hospitality.
You made me smile with your memories. I remember taking a day off to cook and bake all day so we could have a large gathering that evening. I worked at a frenzied pace, but got it all done. No way today. You have solved the issue with two wonderful options. It is always good to have a friend with a family history stop by. Your veggies look wonderful. 🙂
Cutting back but not cutting out does seem like the way to go. Plus, with food that is more simple, I feel inclined to do it more often.
Such fun!
Wonderful to have you over!
Much more relaxed than serving a full blown dinner which we did at the weekend – albeit it only for a few friends. I still haven’t got over doing housework all afternoon only to have everybody sit outside in the garden anyway.
Right? I think we all do this. After all, they will probably have to come in for something.
I don’t entertain much now but when I do its a potluck. Less stress, affordable and my friends enjoy making a dish.
Potlucks are fun, too, but as the host, we always seem to do the lion’s share of the work.
A really good scheme all round. The nibbles are very tempting.
Thanks, Tootlepedal!
Evening, Laurie. You and Clif know what’s important in life. Getting together regularly with friends is the way to go.
Bye till next time.
Neil
Sure is. And I’ve almost stopped feeling guilty about not cooking big meals for folks any more.
Oh, I know all about creaky knees. Your recipe for entertaining sounds like a winner.
It really is. We get to have people over, and my creaky knees hardly complain.
Your tidbits are really treasures: home grown foods, time to savor, and wonderful friendship.
And no complaining from creaky knees! I’d call that a win.
I love your tradition! What a nice idea. Your tomatoes look delicious, Laurie. My crop is rather paltry this season so I’m a little envious as I know what I’m missing. I hope you are dong well.
Many thanks!
You’re welcome.
Like you we have changed our routines since retiring & now try to meet friends during the day either at home or at a local coffee shop. Home is best, as we get older we find the noise level in many places just too high.. so it was lovely to see your afternoon spread … so much easier to organise. Enjoy your writing & friendly get -togethers.
I know just what you mean about the noise levels. They can be deafening. And making a batch of muffins to go along with tea and coffee is no trouble.
That is an amazing story about Jill. Join the ageing caterers’ club
Yes, and still have friends over!
🙂
This all sounds lovely. You have good reason to be proud – those tomatoes and cucumbers have taken full advantage of your short growing season.
And my part shade/part sun backyard. The variety of tomatoes I have planted is called Juliet, and they actually do well in part shade/part sun.
Love the party theme “nibbles and tidbits” and it looks and sounds like a fabulous day with an old friend!
We had a wonderful time.
I must try this. I like the idea of drinks and nibbles. Just a couple weekends ago, some gardening neighbors invited me back to their place for a drink–and it was lovely. Just s short interlude after the garden and then I went home and made dinner after having had a nice chat!
A bonus of entertaining this way is that you can do it more often because it requires so much less fuss.
Yes!
I could eat like this for every meal–a mini-smorgasbord!
Me, too. I’ve almost stopped feeling guilty for entertaining this way rather than cooking a big meal. 😉
We would much rather visit with friends in the kitchen preparing snacks or a meal, then step out to our porch (covered for sun or rain) or deck to enjoy the harvest. Going out to a restaurant does not bring the freshness of what we can pick a few steps from our kitchen, nor the vistas from our home. Happy summer visits. – Oscar
You bet! Same to you.
Nibbles and tidbits always work here, too!
Too bad we didn’t live closer…
Well, good work! We never entertain at all now. I should rethink that and do what you do.
And the simpler it is, the more you feel like doing it.
A lovely ritual!
Thanks, Cynthia!
“Those were the days when I got out of bed like a shot and could zoom through the day.”
I remember those days… 🙂
Back in the day…
🙂