Well, as someone who enjoys cooking a variety of meats, including seafood, I found the biggest win in planning a Valentine’s dinner for my siblings and their significant others as described below, with my wife only doing most of the decoration and table setting using her inherited grandmother’s delicate, fine French Limoge porcelain dishes.
The table was well arranged, beautifully, and I purchased parting gifts for my wife and the ladies, which included flowers, candy, and an assortment of other goodies festooned in and around the table, accented by the same decor.
The meal featured Turbot in a white wine-reduced cream sauce with lump crab meat, accompanied by a perfectly cooked whole filet of beef. The beef was seasoned with herbs, sliced garlic, salt, and pepper, and cooked to a medium-rare to medium finish as a roast. It was accompanied by mashed potatoes (Russets and Idaho’s), asparagus wrapped in swiss cheese with prosciutto, green beans almondine, and my wife’s home-made pound cake, and I made a crème brûlée with an assortment of teas and coffee for dessert.
Points to Ponder: We hosted a family dinner for several years until one of my brothers-in-law passed away. After that, we held the dinner a few weeks later and called it the Family Spring Fling for several more years until another brother-in-law took sick and passed. I come from a large family with six siblings, and collectively, we have 28 grandchildren and over 40+ great-grandchildren. My siblings and their significant others always looked forward to these special dinners we hosted. They, along with other siblings, hosted moments outlined below that were cherished. (SEE BELOW)
Sister Mary and her late husband, Joe, hosted the family for 40-plus years, celebrating their 4th of July and Labor Day pool parties. With fireworks for the kids, young and old alike
My brother Andy and wife Regina for 40-plus years had the family Christmas Party, which was a continuation of our parents’ gatherings
My late brother Larry and sister-in-law Hillary for 30 years had the family Memorial Day Baseball BBQ
My Kid Sister Nancy and her husband Joe had the family Christmas Brunch, usually the weekend before Christmas, for many years.
Over the years, we have shared in various celebrations, including confirmations, communions, weddings, anniversaries, graduation parties, birthdays, Halloween parties, and the like.
Point to Ponder: Celebrating with family members is special, but time passes quickly, and before you know it, those moments are gone. Many of the activities we used to enjoy together are no longer a part of our lives, and if you look closely, it becomes clear why that is the case. Plan, share, and make time for activities with your immediate family, as those moments are truly priceless. Also, as you get older as parents, grandparents, and get caught up in life, try to make a real effort to spend time with your siblings, as they, too, are priceless
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