June Family Dinner was nothing short of amazing! Faith brought the sweetest gifts to ask her sister to be her Matron of Honor and McKenzie to be a bridesmaid in her wedding next year.
And, speaking of next year, I am getting another Great!!! The girls had on the cutest shirts to announce to Uncle Greg and myself they are going to both be big sisters!! I was standing in the exact same spot when their mother told me about Canaa The Great!
The pool was full of fun and laughter. I am always checking the weather 10 days out from Family Dinners in the summertime because The Greats love swimming so very much. Blessedly the weather had cooled down quite a bit and no storms the entire day!! It is funny how a body of water and beach balls from Dollar Tree add to summer events.
The morning of Family Dinner, GW and I were sitting on the front porch with coffee and in conversation about what we needed to get completed before family arrived. I sat thinking and typing out my thoughts on my phone. He said – what are you working on? So, I read it to him –
• FAMILY DINNER SUNDAY • ( ⬅️ Instagram Link)
Today, everyone will gather here On The One Four One. It is one of my favorite days of the month. It is where I get to fuel my love language of food and hospitality. I am already thinking of July and haven’t set out the first place setting for today. My mind never rests.
People say often to the kids (they’ll always be my babies) I wish our family would do what your family does. To them I say • DO IT!! Do it your way – it doesn’t have to be just like ours complete with themes and such but for me – it does make it easier to plan when you have an idea to work with.
MAKE THE MEMORIES!! I always reflect back on these days as I prepare to my Grandma Lena Belle and all the love and work she poured into our dinners as my brother and our cousins played and laughed and MADE MEMORIES together.
Mark your calendars • Make a plan DO IT!!
I couldn’t decide on a meal this month until a week before. I settled on doing hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill. Greg said it was perfect for the theme of red, white and blue! For sides, I made homemade pasta salad, macaroni salad and chip dip along with homemade hot dog sauce. I also served baked beans, the chips & dip and corn on the cob. For dessert, I made my very first pineapple upside down cake in honor of Luke’s 9th birthday. I prayed over that cake like you wouldn’t believe!! He told me it was the best cake he has ever had which hit me right in the feels!!!
The Greats always enjoy when I make them specialty cups for their lemonade or milk. This month I did red, white & blue sprinkles and they are so simple to make!! I get the short plastic cups from Dollar Tree, a small container of marshmallow fluff and sprinkles aligning with the occasion. In the past, I have taken a spoon and placed the fluff on the rim. This time I worked smarter not harder by putting a small amount of fluff in a glass bowl microwaving it for 11 seconds. Any more than that and it isn’t usable. I placed the cup in the bowl and gave it a little twist from side to side to get the fluff along the cup rim then placed the cup in the sprinkles which I poured onto a small plate making it easier to get the sprinkles all the way around and inside the cup rim. So easy and a crowd pleaser for The Greats!
In May, McKenzie, Samantha and myself flew to the beach for a few days and while there, I took them to Spanky’s and introduced them to pudding shots. A fun and refreshing treat for adults. I asked Samatha to give it a shot (pun intended) and she nailed it!
And speaking of the beach, we did some shopping while there. At Simply Southern, we each bought cute black dresses that were on sale for $2.99!! McKenzie got them in every color. Samantha yelled from the dressing room – we should wear these to Family Dinner! So, I bought both my nieces and my sister-in-law dressed too! I had to do some master rearranging in my suitcase and carry on because the material is heavy and very forgiving when rolling and smashing to make them as small as possible to fly with! The kids said – Hey!! You all are dressed alike! We were like – WHAAATTT?? You don’t say! 😂
I absolutely LOVED LOVED LOVED my centerpiece. I got the idea off of a TikTok video I saw or else I would have never thought about grouping the flowers by color or the difference in the flowers. I actually grew the hydrangea which are my absolute FAVORITE flower though they don’t last long when cut. So – I cut it when the family began arriving and it survived until the next morning.
Unfortunately, my little brother and mom weren’t feeling well and didn’t make it this month. So, I had to enlist Lane to do the Family Selfie since he has the longest arms!!
A friend sent to me a post she saw on Facebook and said – This reminds me of you ❤ –
I want to be that house…
The one with the stocked pantry.
The comfy couches.
Extra pool towels and snacks for everyone.
Not to impress.
But to bless.
Not to strive.
But to steward.
I want to create a space that feels like an exhale.
Where kids linger.
Where friends know that they are welcome!
Where no one feels like a burden.
It’s not an accident.
I plan for this.
I make the bed.
I wipe the counters again.
Not because I care about perfect perfection but because I care about people.
This isn’t about having aesthetic hospitality..
It’s about having a kingdom vision for your home.
Because the kind of home we’re building?
It’s one that disciples quietly.
That host joyfully.
That welcomes mess, laughter, and real conversation.
Over coffee, over dinner, over years..
Because I’m not just hosting people.
I’m building a space where the kingdom can take root.
Even if it means restocking the fridge twice this week! It’s worth it.
So hey, show up on a Tuesday afternoon.
I’ll make you lunch, light a candle, and remind you that you’re not doing life alone.
To think someone thinks of me from words they have read that I wish I would have written myself and could have written, makes my heart smile with happiness because I strive to be that house.
Until next time – XOXO –
PGWW
The One Four One 
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