A Melody Sparked a Feast

On a recent Saturday night, fourteen of us squeezed around our mid-century table (a Facebook Marketplace score), extended with both its leaves we keep tucked behind the hutch just for these occasions. Our glasses were filled with organic and biodynamic wines, generously brought by our guests — including bottles from Ojai Vineyard and Tablas Creek. Michael’s chile, arguably his best yet, steamed in mismatched ceramic bowls I’ve been collecting one by one at our local farmers’ market. The room buzzed with laughter, stories, and second helpings.

Before we sat down, many of us gathered in the kitchen to make a green salad. My “edible garden” is a row of planters lining our concrete walkway.  A close friend stepped outside the front door to harvest lettuce. We rinsed the greens and chopped vegetables from the bins in my fridge.

“I feel like I’m in Meghan Markle’s kitchen,” she said. The others sitting around the kitchen island laughed in agreement.

I haven’t seen the popular series featuring the Dutchess, but the reference made me smile. And maybe it’s not that far off. My publisher asked me to sign a copy of Eat Less Water for Meghan Markle a few months ago. Who knows — maybe she’ll be rinsing salad greens beside me, too one day. A fun day dream.

When we  squeezed around the table, I shared how the nightwas inspired by a song. It was a song I shared with you a couple weeks ago in an email like this one. Michael looked it up on his phone and hit play. The harmonies of Highwoman singing Crowded Table pumped through the speakers.

I want a house with a crowded table and a place by the fire for everyone.

“Good thing for that song,” Angelica, a friend replied. She raised her glass. We all joined her and listened together to the lyrics, 

Those words speaks to something deep in many of us — the craving for shared meals, meaningful action, and community.

I know how much music helps revive me when my energy dips around dinnertime, I often reach for one of our records — often the spark I need to get chopping. Music, like food, centers, and bring us back to the present moment. The sensory experience has the power to help us embody a moment fully through the gift of touch, smell, sound, sight, and taste.

Also around the crowded table that night was Eva and her husband, Chris. You may remember Eva from a recent podcast episode, where she shared how Kitchen Activism transformed their kitchen and relationship — and will save them $6,000 a year in food expenses. Seeing faces light up in recognition as the other guests recognized her voice was a highlight of my night.

Click here to tune in. Eva’s story is a powerful reminder that change begins right where we are — at the cutting board, in the organized pantry, and at the table.

A crowded table doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built with intention — in what we cook, shop, and the people drawn to your table.