So I was intrigued by something I stumbled upon on the internet the other day - The Harkness Table. Like many times I was looking up something else that I can't even remember now when I learned that The Harkness Table is a big oval table that seats 12 or 13 people and is central to the Harkness method of teaching. Philanthropist Edward Harkness developed the Harkness Method at Phillips Exeter Academy and described his vision. "What I have in mind is a classroom where 12 or so students could sit around a table with a teacher...conference style....where each student would feel encouraged to speak up."
When I mentioned this to Judy she said, "Well isn't that what we have always done around the Hunt Table?"
So true. We have had lively, spirited, conversation around the old picnic table in the Hewitt House kitchen; the chopping block, the walnut lazy susan or the cherry dining table on Peachtree Road; the pine lazy susan or a folding card table in Raleigh; Uncle Howards pine table and Margaret Royster's oval table on Fairway Drive and all kinds of tables at Lake Lure.
Recently we had some unexpected conversation starters around the table. Since we knew several people who were graduating high school and college, I had bought some motivational graduation cards to give. But Friday night before graduation, David IV and KC had arrived and the Mayos came over so of course we had dinner around the oval table. After dinner, I passed the graduation cards around the table and asked each person to interpret a card. After going around one time, we passed the cards to the right and did it all over again. It was funny and interesting and so the next night we did it again with a different group of people. Ben was in town by then and when the card came to him, he got a mischevious look in his eye and pretended to read his card, but instead quoted from a rap lyric. You just can't ever tell what someone will say. That's what makes it interesting.
At the Hunt Table we were always encouraged to speak up. Not that we needed that much encouragement. For a family involved, or maybe immersed, in politics, each of us learned early on that not everyone will agree on every subject but free and respectful discussion is allowed - and important. The discussion isn't always political. Sometimes we venture into religion too. If things get a little touchy we can always revert back to discussing food. Or more likely Mama will remind us that "that's why they make chocolate and vanilla". With the political season heating up right now, I wish everyone had a Harkness/Hunt Table. And Mama to mediate.
And speaking of Mama, for Mother's Day weekend we were lucky to have both David's mother and mine over with family from both sides for a casual Saturday night supper. Everybody brought a dish and as usual that made it easy and delicious. On Saturday nights, Mama has a standing date. Daddy says he wants to make sure we understand that they are in a groove not a rut. But every Saturday night Mama wants to watch Lawrence Welk. Lawrence hasn't been around for a good while but his reruns are. So David dvr-ed the show and after supper we gathered around the TV with Mama and Daddy to listen to champagne music and watch Lawrence's musical family. Wunnerful Wunnerful. The show was a rerun of the Mother's Day show from 1956. In 1956 David and I would have both been about 3 months old. My how time flies.
Not everyone was in town for the Mother's Day supper because our family has had another baby explosion. Will, Anna and Little Will have welcomed beautiful little Laney into the world. Paul, Amy, Kai and Melia have a family of five with the addition of handsome Brycen. It's amazing and wonderful to watch our family grow in all directions. Each and every addition brings another interesting voice to the table. We'll just keep adding more chairs.
Not all of the chairs added to the table are for babies. We keep adding spouses too. Jackson has brought Mary Beth into the fold and so we celebrated by having her family and ours for lunch at the Lake. It was great to be able to get to know this new branch before the wedding festivities ramp up in September.
For the Lake Lunch I used Mama's Lake Lure Menu. Mama had a standard Lake Lure menu when she was hosting at the Lake. The menu was designed to make it simple for arriving at the Lake and then immediately feeding a hungry crowd of people. She had ham, biscuits, shrimp cocktail, beans and corn from the garden, pimiento cheese, potato salad, deviled eggs and fresh fruit. She always had chocolate cake but I made pound cake instead because I know how. Most of this can be done ahead of time so it makes it easier to enjoy the day at the Lake with whoever is around the table. Because no one wants to miss the conversation.
Strawberry Trifle
It helps to have leftover Sour Cream Pound cake(see recipe on May 10, 2010 post) and fresh locally grown strawberries to pull off this easy trifle in a hurry. I confess to using the quick (3 minute) vanilla pudding and cool whip this time.
In a pretty glass bowl crumble leftover pound cake. Add a layer of vanilla pudding and a layer of strawberries, repeat and top with whipped cream.
This is easy, fast, pretty and delicious. And it gives us more quality time around the table.
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