We linger

This photo is from a dinner we had at our house a few weeks back, but over the weekend our table looked very similar. Seeing this crazy, cluttered scene made me think of a new marker for a successful dinner with friends: many beverage glasses. I had in front of me a cup of tea, water, a glass for Amaretto, and just to the right of that, a wine glass and a Champagne flute. I look like a bit of lush, but lots of cups means happy guests, right?

During the week, Peter and I eat at our dining room table, often with a glass of wine or a drink. But it's a quick, casual affair. I try to get Peter to remember funny stories about his students, and I wow him with web stats. Afterward, lunches and coffee are made for the next day, and we settle in to read or watch a favorite show. I'm not trying to make this sound boring, because it's actually one of my favorite parts of the day, but it's just so different when friends are at our table, too.

With guests, we linger. People share sweet and tender and awkward and funny things, and we laugh and nod and rest our chins in our hands. And while that dinner party magic is happening, we go through a lot of glassware.