Not long ago, I daydreamed almost daily about having a better dining space than my modest kitchen table. With even four people, it’s a tight squeeze – and its not-so-elegant view features the humming fridge, the well-worn stove, and an oft overflowing sink. Despite my good fortune to live in this pleasant house, I couldn’t help imagining larger dinner parties in a prettier setting, hosting more loved ones, and spreading out in more style.
Frosted fig torte on my kitchen table.
The day we were sent home in March, I left my office with a mountain of computer equipment and all the ergonomic accessories. I plopped down my workspace at this table without question, trying to balance the shock of sudden change with gratitude for my job and health. And as we all know well, the weeks went on.
Soon the insight surfaced that my kitchen had long been my creative place, my after-work play space. But now my office supplies towered from its corner: an incessant reminder of spreadsheets and salary scales, evenings and weekends included. A familiar feeling to many, these blurred boundaries were starting to get to me — even when I draped the evidence in fabric.
Privileged to be able to work from home (let alone to have a job), I felt rather extravagant when I recently got a small rolling desk that would fit alongside my table without taking it over. No longer would I need to balance my mouse on a cake stand and my keyboard on a cookbook!
A past Passover at my kitchen table.
And not unlike the candle-lighting rituals I once hosted right here, my new nightly ceremony of rolling my desk away has brought something wondrous to light: my kitchen table is actually a beloved place. Smoothing the cottony wrinkles of a fresh tablecloth with my hands, I am overcome with thankfulness to have this sacred space back.
Sweet pea spring cake on my kitchen table.
In line with the message we seem to keep getting these months – Take nothing for granted! – I cherish my memories at this very setting: minute but marvelous indoor meals and crafts with friends, impromptu visits with my dad, my young nephew devouring a ripe nectarine directly from the fruit bowl, juice running down his chin.
And while I admit I yearn for visits with my loved ones today, I’m simply thrilled to have begun again sharing coffee here with my husband, piling the fruit bowl with the season’s harvest, and serving and photographing my desserts on this sweet little sunlit stage.
Cherry rosemary cupcakes on my kitchen table.
Looking back further, I remember, too, that the majority of my childhood at my Grandma’s treasured house was spent at her own kitchen table, despite the fancy dining room just footsteps away. Quite young, my sister and I even secretly tape-recorded dinner conversations underneath that table: a juvenile joke that captured a dose of quotidian magic. (You bet I still have those tapes.)
Maybe one day I’ll fondly remember doing office work at my kitchen table. For now I am relishing it being exactly what it is and has been: a compact but inviting place to pause peacefully, a favorite corner in the lovely home that hosts my lucky life.
I know I’m not the only one. What are your favorite moments at the kitchen tables in your life? Please ponder, and perhaps even share below.
butter, sugar, flowers 
Oh forgot to share a kitchen table story…
Most of my places I lived did not have space for kitchen tables but I have a fond memory of making strudel at my friend’s country farmhouse with eight or so other people, stretching the dough together to cover a huge dining room table! It was a communal moment of baking joy!
That is such a lovely memory! The location of the table isn’t nearly as important as the fact that it is shared and memory-making (but I do admit I still daydream of having a dining room from time to time. That said, I feel very lucky to have a kitchen big enough for its own table!).
I just stumbled across your blog! It is so nice. Hope all is well with you and yours during this Covid lockdown. Look forward to seeing more posts. I was researching springerle molds for fun and that one you found with the critters was AWESOME. And your chocolate orange idea sounds so tasty. Any other flavor combos you have dreamed up? Thinking of trying to make an assortment with a traditional, your chocolate orange and maybe a couple others. I bought some supplies from the website Cookie Countess (really great company) and plan to paint mine.
Happy 2021❣️
Annie in the Pacific Northwest hunkered down and baking up a storm
Hi Annie! Thanks so much for stopping by. I’m so excited to hear about your Springlerle adventures (and Cookie Countess). I really think the possibilities of flavors are nearly endless… lemon vanilla bean? hazelnut nutmeg? I would love to hear what you make and how you like them!
What a beautiful and touching post! One of my favorite memories of your kitchen table is sharing incredibly delicious cups of tea while talking together at your table. I can’t wait until we can sit together there once again, talk, and savor tea and togetherness.
What a touching tribute to your trusty table! I’m grateful to have shared so many sweet memories, scrumptious treats, and silly jokes around it over the years. There’s nowhere we’d rather gather. ❤️