A few weeks ago, in the dead of our never ending winter, my husband and I organized a dessert/coffee/tea evening. We opened our homes to friends and neighbors.
We were surprised to find that about 8 families crowded our town home. We were even more amazed that even with all the planning, and the chaos that comes with receiving we were energized. So many people told us how it felt so good to see people, to come out of their home but not to be in a restaurant.
After that evening we decided it to have these kinds of evenings regularly. We changed the formula to a spaghetti meatball night instead, so we could have dinner together. Why spaghetti & meatballs? Because everyone loves that!
I took on the Facebook to share the news:
So here’s what Kossi Efu and I have decided to do to make whatever is left of this winter happier: we are instituting a new tradition we call Friday Night Meatballs. Starting this Friday (march 4th) at 7pm, we’re cooking up a pot of spaghetti and meatballs every Friday night and sitting down at the dining room table as a family—along with anyone else who’d like to join us. Friends, neighbors, relatives, clients, Facebook friends who’d like to hang out in real life, travelers passing through: you are welcome at our table. We’ll just ask folks to let us know by Thursday night so we know how many meatballs to make. You can bring something, but you don’t have to. Kids are welcomed too! The house will be messy, there might not be enough chairs. There might be card and/or board games. You might make new friends. We’ll just have to find out. This is our little attempt to spend more time with our village. You’re invited. Inbox me for details and to RSVP.
Within seconds I had 50 likes and 2 RSVP!
While I love anything that has to do with home decor, I believe food is an element that gathers people and for us Spaghetti Meatballs became a great way to share our home and our love.
We realized that it can be hard to find community. The institutions that used to provide communal social life like churches and unions, have long been in decline. People work long hours often with long commutes or even multiple jobs. An increasing number of us are freelancers, working from home without company. Social events aren’t always hospitable for families with young children, and those who don’t have kids can go years can go years without interacting with them.
Friday Night Meatballs is intergenerational, kid-friendly, low-key, and cheap.
Personally I have learned a few valuable lessons:
Don’t sweat the housework
I was taught from childhood that the state of one’s home is a matter for pride or shame. However I have learned not to sweat the housework because things will get dirty again, and I have used a few tricks that make my life easier.
First I set aside 1 hour on Friday afternoons to do a speed clean (whatever I can do in 1 hour). My usually cleaning routine is 5 hours long so I learned not to be a perfectionist. BUT the best trick is to not care at all! I realized my friends, my husband and son want to see me happy, relaxed and eat meatballs!
My freezer is my best friend
I make my meatballs at the beginning of the week and freeze them. Then I let them spend all day Friday in the slow cooker soaking up sauce.
Unplug
One of the most magical things about Friday Night Meatballs is that people put their phones away. We don’t make this a rule but we realized it happened by itself! My theory is that the desperate need to stay connected that keeps us tied to our phone melts away when we’re all sitting around a table sharing a meal. This week I’ll even add candles to create a nice atmosphere!
Asking for Help
The the end of the evening I no longer take on the load of cleaning by myself. I graciously accept anyone’s help to clear the table and load the dishwasher.
On another note my son loves Friday nights, he gets very excited about meeting new friends, he is getting better at interacting with adults and sharing his toys!
Here is my famous sauce recipe if you’d like to see, the secret is in the grated zucchini…It makes the meatballs so tender & juicy!
My first batch of Meatballs
The first sauce I made actually burnt! Every ate it anyway. I learned my lesson: Make meatballs in slow cooker
It’s amazing how renewed we feel once our last guest has left. Will you be trying this or starting your own ritual? I heard about families who have game nights, Taco nights, “bring a weird snack” night, bad movie night, Sunday Brunch.
