In my small community there are many traditions including having enough food for people that visited around a meal time. It was important to feed them, so this was done by taking out a few more things than was needed for our family. If the meal was made and someone came, my mom would quietly cut the servings of meat, fish, chicken or pork in half and add water to the gravy or soup. We all loved most company, so it was OK with the family to share.
When friends would stop by to talk due to some trouble or upset that needed another persons input, mom would have tea and a snack put on the table, then sit and listen. These snacks were made at baking time once a week - 1/3 would be put away for company.
I still do this. I have a few things in the cupboard that are easy to put on a nice plate and serve.
By Carolyn from Chilliwack, BC
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What a lovely tradition this is. Your mother taught you to be generous, thoughtful and have a heart for others all by this one small thing. This truly touched me. Thank you.
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My mother would usually do that same thing. I do it now as well. I love to feed someone. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy when company comes and I can feed them something fresh made or something that I have planned for dinner another night. There is nothing like matching up fish and chicken and fries or spaghetti sauce matched with pasta or tossed with a medley of vegetables and pasta, and maybe tuna fish stuffed into a red ripe garden tomato!! I mean my mother and I would never turn anyone away that was hungry.
My Dad liked it to as he always felt proud to bring home a guy from the office or the bar and there would always be a hot meal for them both before they were allowed to leave and go home. That was a double blessing to his wife. I figure that I would be out of bed anyway, I would feed her man so that he wouldn't have to wake her up when he arrived home hungry, and also it was a good way for my husband to show his respect for what I did. That is nice.
Well, just letting you know that providing for others is biblical in its beginnings. According to the Bible, you were supposed to never turn a visitor away hungry. Especially if it were a stranger. It could actually be our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I say carry On with your tradition. It is nice, easy and makes for a bunch of your husband's lunches if no one comes that day he will have the meal all over again for lunch. :Smile:
That was the case when I was growng up and in my household as well. Somehow the warm offering of cookies or cake and tea went out the window. If someone stopped by not to offer them a nibble of something was just bad manners. I traveled a long way on a trip and stopped to visit a friend on the way. They knew I was coming.
Visited for several hours and they never offered water. Finally the offered me some old fruitcake and punch. Mind you this was summertime. I left tired and hungry having to look for a hotel and a hot meal. That was a visit and trip to remember.
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