Enable Your Table

Story and Photography by Laurie McCall

My husband and I work crazy hours. Our kids are typical teenagers, and we don’t see nearly enough of them. In the busyness of life, I know we have let too many opportunities slip by to establish traditions and make memories, but there is one thing we’ve gotten right, and that’s sitting down almost every night to eat dinner together.

Before we eat, we hold hands for the blessing. It’s just something we’ve always done. Even if we have a dinner guest, even if it’s someone my boys have just met, when it’s time for the blessing, they reach for the person’s hand beside them. I think the older they get, the more I treasure those simple moments of solidarity. No matter the chaos or struggle of the day, at dinnertime, we are a family.
Given this month’s theme, “Let’s Decorate,” we thought we’d inspire you to take that time with your family, your kids. It takes a little extra effort to set a beautiful table, but it’s also an opportunity to work together to create an atmosphere that invites each member of the family to set aside technology and slow down and enjoy each other’s company. It’s a way to show love.

We called on Le Cookery, a cooking and kitchen store located in the Village at Wexford on Hilton Head Island, to provide us with all the pieces and parts for a beautiful table setting. What better way to inspire you to start setting the table again than a beautiful new set of dishes to match your style? Le Cookery offers a variety of dishes to help you achieve whatever look you like—holiday, coastal, farm house or chic.

We’d been discussing the photo shoot for a while and in the process happened upon a story of its own. If you’ve ever eaten at the Sippin’ Cow in Old Town Bluffton you’ve probably noticed the outdoor seating area with a cozy fireplace and rustic table—the perfect setting for an outdoor fall photo shoot. I stopped by to ask owner Christy Pinski if she’d mind, but the table was gone! Turns out I wasn’t the only one with an affinity for that table. Master Craftsman Corey Chumney of Bluffton Garage Creations noticed the table deteriorating and insisted on giving it a makeover—for free—just for the sake of preserving something beautiful.

It’s like the table itself is a metaphor, a picture of what happens when you sit down and eat together. Take the time and effort and energy to pour your love into preserving something beautiful—your family.

__________________________________________________________


About Our Table Setting:
Dishes: The blues of the dappled cobalt from Juliska are simple enough to replace your “everyday” white, with a more interesting choice and is timeless enough to endure forever. Made in Portugal. Dishwasher, freezer, microwave and oven safe.

Large Rooster Bowl (filled with potatoes and ready for a Lowcountry boil): A warm table scape, perfect for autumn entertaining, the “gather” line from Vietri encourages us to spend time with friends and family around the table. Rustic elements and inviting colors, complemented by embellished designs, make gathering together a stylish tradition. Hand painted on terra Bianca in Veneto, Italy.  Dishwasher safe.

Flatware: The five-piece place settings featured are Martellato by Bugatti. Made from heavy gauge stainless steel, Italian artisans forge each piece of this collection, adding a “hammered” detail for a well-balanced, weighty flatware.

Napkins, stemware, cutting board and flour sack dishcloths all available at Le Cookery.

__________________________________________________________


Special Thanks To:

Laurel and Clinton Greif at Le Cookery for the beautiful dishes, stemware and gorgeous silverware to create the perfect fall outdoor dining experience. Visit Le Cookery, located at Village at Wexford, to find the perfect table setting for your style and all your kitchen needs.

Christy Pinski of the Sippin Cow for allowing us to use your outdoor space, and pouring your love and catering talent into our photo shoot to help make it the best it could be. Visit the Sippin’ Cow, located in the Promenade in Old Town Bluffton for amazing food, great atmosphere and great people.

Corey Chumney of Bluffton Garage Creations for using your gifts and talents and the goodness of your heart to save that table and leave it in a place where we can all enjoy it. Visit www.blufftongaragecreations.com for your custom furniture, woodworking, and refinishing needs.

Also, thanks to Tony Parker and Trip for just being there, helping and adding to the fun. Parker, we especially love the way you are so proud of Christy. It shows!