Bradley’s Table

When we ask a few friends in for dinner, it’s usually très casual (or whatever is opposite of très chic.)  Unless it’s a holiday dinner or a special occasion of some sort, we are likely to use the everyday dishes and maybe even serve from the kitchen.  Our meals are all about the food and the friendship these days and not so much about the ambiance.  No doubt our attitude is indicative of our advancing years.

Places,everyone!

Thank goodness for younger, more ambitious neighbors!  Specifically, Bradley.  No matter how off-hand the invitation sounds – perhaps a Thursday phone call about other matters with a spontaneous “Can you come over for dinner Saturday?” thrown in – the result is always spectacular.  Candlelight and flowers.  An interesting mix of guests.  Food that would do any high end restaurant on the Continent proud.  Elegance all the way around.

What impresses me most, though, is the ease with which Bradley pulls it all together.  I know for a fact that yesterday he worked in the garden most of the day.  When did he have time to get out the crystal and china, arrange the flowers, polish the silver, light the candle in the china Jack-o-lantern?  And get out of his garden clothes and into his hosting togs?  And still have time to joke and laugh with the guests?

As Good As It Looks

As last night’s festivities drew to a close, I suddenly flashed on Hyacinth Bucket and her “candlelight suppers.”  Wouldn’t she go mad trying to keep up appearances in Oysterville these days?  As for us – we’re thinking about instigating a neighborhood soup night a la Maggie Stuckey’s new book. Not that it would level the playing field at all.  Not with Bradley in the mix!