Little things

On my short walk to meet for today's long run, I was marveling at the beauty surrounding me and thinking back to all the times when running has allowed me to discover a new, deeper appreciation for all of the little things in life that we routinely take for granted.  It was a beautiful and sunny morning.  There is nothing like the peace and quiet of a city that is just beginning to come to life at 6:05 am on Saturday morning.  Suddenly, despite being in the middle of Chicago, I notice the little things that you might get anywhere -- birds chirping, the glare of the early morning sunshine, the slight chill that is wearing off as the sun rises, the smell of the trees and flowers in bloom.  It is often easy to forget these things when living amidst towering highrises, the constant hum of traffic, honking horns, blaring sirens.

I remember one particular Saturday morning run when I lived in New York City.  It was shortly after I had moved to the city and I was out for a short 3-4 mile run around 7 am.  I fell in love that day.  The side of the city I saw that morning -- quiet as could be, shop owners out hosing down the sidewalk in front of their shop, no cars in sight, smells of fresh flowers being set out at the bodegas -- was so quaint and charming, it was alluring in an entirely different way than the buzz of the city that bewitches so many.  The New York City that I miss is a NYC that I never would have discovered if it weren't for running.

Perfect thoughts as I set out on this week's journey.  I run because it allows me to discover a side to a city that I might miss otherwise; it re-awakens me to the little things, the amazing things, the beautiful things that are always here around us if we take pause to notice.  Running along the Chicago lakefront in the early morning hours of a beautiful sunny day never grows old.  A simply amazing & refreshing way to start a new day.

Why Sunday Supper?

Sunday Supper just kind of happened. Naturally. When I moved back to Chicago from NYC in September 2007, one of the things I enjoyed and appreciated most was the kitchen in the 1-bedroom apartment I was renting at the time. Compared to my NYC apartments, this kitchen was HUGE. Cabinets galore, plenty of counter space, more than 1 butt could fit in the kitchen at a time, it had an island, and it was completely open to the rest of the living room. Heaven! I could cook a respectable meal again, and I could even invite guests to dine with me. Unheard of in NYC! (Okay, so more often than not, it was girls night with wine and cheese, but that's beside the point.) Suddenly, I remembered how much I enjoyed cooking, trying new recipes and experimenting with my own ideas on occasions when I was feeling particularly courageous. Even more so, I loved having friends and family gathered around the kitchen. The sound of conversation and laughter, and the smell of a home-cooked meal. That is what I came from, it was home to me.

When I decided it was time to buy my first condo, my real estate agent asked for my "MUST HAVE" list. #1 - open kitchen with plenty of room to entertain. And she found me the perfect place. Once I had finished all of the unpacking, painting, furniture assembly and at least a little of the decorating, it was time. The first Sunday Supper actually took place in December 2009. At the time, it was really only intended as one event & the name was something catchy to serve as a memory aid for my friends in case they had a little too much fun on Saturday night. As it turned out, there was simply something about Sunday evening that fit. To me, there is nothing better on Sunday evening than a home-cooked meal shared amongst friends and family. Sunday Supper was exactly what I was looking for to make my house a home. Laughter, friendship, tradition. Good friends, good food, good wine. Memories to last a lifetime.

And so, Sunday Supper became one of my 2010 "resolutions". A monthly dinner party in my home. The food I put in front of my friends isn't half bad for a girl from Kansas who has been picking up culinary inspiration along the way ... from my roots (thanks to Mom and Grandma's who taught me that homemade with love is always best!) to two years living in NYC that turned me into a bit of a foodie to all of the amazing local cuisine I've experienced in my travels abroad ... but when they ask me when the next Sunday Supper will be, I'm pretty sure they're looking forward to something other than the food. To friendship, love, and the journey!