sisterly love

I come back to Kansas several times a year because even though Chicago is my home, Kansas will always be home in my heart.  My family is here, my foundation is here, cherished memories are here, and two precious little girls who can absolutely make my day and make me long for home all at the same time are here.  Spending time with them the past few days reminded me of the amazing bond of sisterly love.  Two perfect words to describe these pictures.

My two sisters and I aren't quite as adorable anymore so no pictures of the 3 of us this time.  But we are still known to all crawl into the same bed to talk when we're home together.  There's nothing else like it.  Love you girls!

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!