Mealtime Matters! Dessert

In my home, most of us love dessert, but are trying to watch our weight, so I don't go for hugely fancy, high calorie foods. Often it's just ice cream. But when I serve it, it's because I want everyone to stick around the table a little longer.

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I answered the challenge.

A group of bloggers do a 31 day challenge for the month of October: 31 days blogging about one topic. 

My "topic" is Mealtime Matters. Because it does! 

I hope you enjoyed this month of quotes. And that you will challenge yourself to have family meals more often! 

Get a Conversation Starter question each week night by *liking* the Around the Table Facebook page! 

Linking with these great blogs.  

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Mealtime Matters! - Never Forget

Whether with your own family or friends there is nothing more important or more impacting. I have always said that being an example is probably the biggest ministry I will ever have, and I have no idea when it's happening.

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I'm answering the challenge! 

A group of bloggers do a 31 day challenge for the month of October: 31 days blogging about one topic. 

My "topic" is Mealtime Matters. Because it does! 

Come back every day this month an inspirational quote and fun photo to inspire you to make family mealtimes a priority! 

There are two ways you can join the fun: 

1. Open a new Pinterest board and call it "Mealtime Matters" (or "Inspiration for Family Meals" or just "Quotes") and pin the new quote every day so you have inspiration when you need it to keep up this important family tradition. 
2. Challenge yourself and your family to have a meal together every day for the rest of the month! I bet you can!

Get a Conversation Starter question each week night by *liking* the Around the Table Facebook page! 

Linking with these great blogs.  

Disclosure

Mealtime Matters! -- It's Not Complicated

Your meal doesn't have to be conventional, it just has to be together. Sandwiches, breakfast for dinner, a can of soup, boxed mac'n'cheese all count. Even take out!

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I'm answering the challenge! 

A group of bloggers do a 31 day challenge for the month of October: 31 days blogging about one topic. 

My "topic" is Mealtime Matters. Because it does! 

Come back every day this month an inspirational quote and fun photo to inspire you to make family mealtimes a priority! 

There are two ways you can join the fun: 

1. Open a new Pinterest board and call it "Mealtime Matters" (or "Inspiration for Family Meals" or just "Quotes") and pin the new quote every day so you have inspiration when you need it to keep up this important family tradition. 
2. Challenge yourself and your family to have a meal together every day for the rest of the month! I bet you can!

Get a Conversation Starter question each week night by *liking* the Around the Table Facebook page! 

Linking with these great blogs.  

Disclosure

Mealtime Matters! -- Favorite Ritual

Mine, too, Dennis. Mine too. We did it with kids at home for 27 years and we still sit down together to eat every night. We love it when they come home to eat. We love it that they want to come. We love it when they bring friends. 

I'm away in the Persian Gulf right now on a ministry trip. We've been away from home since October 6. I'm looking forward to having dinner with our daughter and her friends as soon as we get home. And the others as soon as they can come.

*   *   *   *   *

I'm answering the challenge! 

A group of bloggers do a 31 day challenge for the month of October: 31 days blogging about one topic. 

My "topic" is Mealtime Matters. Because it does! 

Come back every day this month an inspirational quote and fun photo to inspire you to make family mealtimes a priority! 

There are two ways you can join the fun: 

1. Open a new Pinterest board and call it "Mealtime Matters" (or "Inspiration for Family Meals" or just "Quotes") and pin the new quote every day so you have inspiration when you need it to keep up this important family tradition. 
2. Challenge yourself and your family to have a meal together every day for the rest of the month! I bet you can!

Get a Conversation Starter question each week night by *liking* the Around the Table Facebook page! 

Linking with these great blogs.  

Disclosure

Mealtime Matters! -- Making Memories

We had the oldest son's 4th grade teacher over for dinner and she showed them how to hang a spoon on their nose. So, yeah, it wasn't great manners, but boy was it funny. We even took a picture.

That was 1993.

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I'm answering the challenge! 

A group of bloggers do a 31 day challenge for the month of October: 31 days blogging about one topic. 

My "topic" is Mealtime Matters. Because it does! 

Come back every day this month an inspirational quote and fun photo to inspire you to make family mealtimes a priority! 

There are two ways you can join the fun: 

1. Open a new Pinterest board and call it "Mealtime Matters" (or "Inspiration for Family Meals" or just "Quotes") and pin the new quote every day so you have inspiration when you need it to keep up this important family tradition. 
2. Challenge yourself and your family to have a meal together every day for the rest of the month! I bet you can!

Get a Conversation Starter question each week night by *liking* the Around the Table Facebook page! 

Linking with these great blogs.  

Disclosure

Mealtime Matters! - So Laugh!

I don't know Kent Hughes, but I want to be at his family table for dinner sometime! When was the last time you laughed with your family?

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I'm answering the challenge! 

A group of bloggers do a 31 day challenge for the month of October: 31 days blogging about one topic. 

My "topic" is Mealtime Matters. Because it does! 

Come back every day this month an inspirational quote and fun photo to inspire you to make family mealtimes a priority! 

There are two ways you can join the fun: 

1. Open a new Pinterest board and call it "Mealtime Matters" (or "Inspiration for Family Meals" or just "Quotes") and pin the new quote every day so you have inspiration when you need it to keep up this important family tradition. 
2. Challenge yourself and your family to have a meal together every day for the rest of the month! I bet you can!

Get a Conversation Starter question each week night by *liking* the Around the Table Facebook page! 

Linking with these great blogs.  

Disclosure

Mealtime Matters! - What Spice?

It's really not fair. We have to plan the meal, buy the food, peel, chop, scrape, saute, an stir in a hot kitchen with whiny kids around. And then we have to model a good attitude too? Stop. Take a minute. Breathe deeply. Think about why you are doing this. Now ask God for help and enjoy your family.

*   *   *   *   *

I'm answering the challenge! 

A group of bloggers do a 31 day challenge for the month of October: 31 days blogging about one topic. 

My "topic" is Mealtime Matters. Because it does! 

Come back every day this month an inspirational quote and fun photo to inspire you to make family mealtimes a priority! 

There are two ways you can join the fun: 

1. Open a new Pinterest board and call it "Mealtime Matters" (or "Inspiration for Family Meals" or just "Quotes") and pin the new quote every day so you have inspiration when you need it to keep up this important family tradition. 
2. Challenge yourself and your family to have a meal together every day for the rest of the month! I bet you can!

Get a Conversation Starter question each week night by *liking* the Around the Table Facebook page! 

Linking with these great blogs.  

Disclosure

Mealtime Matters: - The Gift

My granddaughter loves to help. She's 2. But when she's 12, her mom will still have her helping, I'm quite sure, whether she wants to or not. It's a gift to her--she just won't realize it yet.

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I'm answering the challenge! 

A group of bloggers do a 31 day challenge for the month of October: 31 days blogging about one topic. 

My "topic" is Mealtime Matters. Because it does! 

Come back every day this month an inspirational quote and fun photo to inspire you to make family mealtimes a priority! 

There are two ways you can join the fun: 

1. Open a new Pinterest board and call it "Mealtime Matters" (or "Inspiration for Family Meals" or just "Quotes") and pin the new quote every day so you have inspiration when you need it to keep up this important family tradition. 
2. Challenge yourself and your family to have a meal together every day for the rest of the month! I bet you can!

Get a Conversation Starter question each week night by *liking* the Around the Table Facebook page! 

Linking with these great blogs.  

Disclosure

Mealtime Matters! -- Daily Pleasure

Everybody loves to eat which is a good reason to do it together. What can you do today to make your family meal the best hour of the day?

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I'm answering the challenge! 

A group of bloggers do a 31 day challenge for the month of October: 31 days blogging about one topic. 

My "topic" is Mealtime Matters. Because it does! 

Come back every day this month an inspirational quote and fun photo to inspire you to make family mealtimes a priority! 

There are two ways you can join the fun: 

1. Open a new Pinterest board and call it "Mealtime Matters" (or "Inspiration for Family Meals" or just "Quotes") and pin the new quote every day so you have inspiration when you need it to keep up this important family tradition. 
2. Challenge yourself and your family to have a meal together every day for the rest of the month! I bet you can!

Get a Conversation Starter question each week night by *liking* the Around the Table Facebook page! 

Linking with these great blogs.  

Disclosure

Mealtime Matters! -- Great Change!

Like the hand that rocks the cradle, we have far more influence on our children (and their friends) than we realize. Let's make it count!

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I'm answering the challenge! 

A group of bloggers do a 31 day challenge for the month of October: 31 days blogging about one topic. 

My "topic" is Mealtime Matters. Because it does! 

Come back every day this month an inspirational quote and fun photo to inspire you to make family mealtimes a priority! 

There are two ways you can join the fun: 

1. Open a new Pinterest board and call it "Mealtime Matters" (or "Inspiration for Family Meals" or just "Quotes") and pin the new quote every day so you have inspiration when you need it to keep up this important family tradition. 
2. Challenge yourself and your family to have a meal together every day for the rest of the month! I bet you can!

Get a Conversation Starter question each week night by *liking* the Around the Table Facebook page! 

Linking with these great blogs.  

Disclosure

Mealtime Matters! -- The Centerpiece

My kids think my motto is "don't touch the centerpiece." I guess I've had centerpieces that have been intriguing and the pieces got picked up and toyed with, rearranged, and, yes, even broken. I probably shouldn't have worried about those centerpieces, but the centerpiece of our family times together? Don't touch it!

*   *   *   *   *

I'm answering the challenge! 

A group of bloggers do a 31 day challenge for the month of October: 31 days blogging about one topic. 

My "topic" is Mealtime Matters. Because it does! 

Come back every day this month an inspirational quote and fun photo to inspire you to make family mealtimes a priority! 

There are two ways you can join the fun: 

1. Open a new Pinterest board and call it "Mealtime Matters" (or "Inspiration for Family Meals" or just "Quotes") and pin the new quote every day so you have inspiration when you need it to keep up this important family tradition. 
2. Challenge yourself and your family to have a meal together every day for the rest of the month! I bet you can!

Get a Conversation Starter question each week night by *liking* the Around the Table Facebook page! 

Linking with these great blogs.  

Disclosure

Mealtime Matters! -- Just for Fun

I thought this was good for a laugh! I hope I made you smile today.

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I'm answering the challenge! 

A group of bloggers do a 31 day challenge for the month of October: 31 days blogging about one topic. 

My "topic" is Mealtime Matters. Because it does! 

Come back every day this month an inspirational quote and fun photo to inspire you to make family mealtimes a priority! 

There are two ways you can join the fun: 

1. Open a new Pinterest board and call it "Mealtime Matters" (or "Inspiration for Family Meals" or just "Quotes") and pin the new quote every day so you have inspiration when you need it to keep up this important family tradition. 
2. Challenge yourself and your family to have a meal together every day for the rest of the month! I bet you can!

Get a Conversation Starter question each week night by *liking* the Around the Table Facebook page! 

Linking with these great blogs.  

Disclosure

Mealtime Matters! -- Learn a Lot

Whether eating with someone you never met before, an old friend, or your family, you get to know each other. Take the time to eat with someone in each of these categories this week! It will enrich your life.

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I'm answering the challenge! 

A group of bloggers do a 31 day challenge for the month of October: 31 days blogging about one topic. 

My "topic" is Mealtime Matters. Because it does! 

Come back every day this month an inspirational quote and fun photo to inspire you to make family mealtimes a priority! 

There are two ways you can join the fun: 

1. Open a new Pinterest board and call it "Mealtime Matters" (or "Inspiration for Family Meals" or just "Quotes") and pin the new quote every day so you have inspiration when you need it to keep up this important family tradition. 
2. Challenge yourself and your family to have a meal together every day for the rest of the month! I bet you can!

Get a Conversation Starter question each week night by *liking* the Around the Table Facebook page! 

Linking with these great blogs.  

Disclosure

Mealtime Matters! -- In the Kitchen

Leo Patalinghug is a Filipino priest who wrote Grace Before Meals, a book with conversation topics for while you are preparing the meal. It's true that in the car or while you are both chopping vegetables rather than looking each other in the eye, you can talk about some things more easily. So don't just include them around the table, bring them in the kitchen!

*   *   *   *   *

I'm answering the challenge! 

A group of bloggers do a 31 day challenge for the month of October: 31 days blogging about one topic. 

My "topic" is Mealtime Matters. Because it does! 

Come back every day this month an inspirational quote and fun photo to inspire you to make family mealtimes a priority! 

There are two ways you can join the fun: 

1. Open a new Pinterest board and call it "Mealtime Matters" (or "Inspiration for Family Meals" or just "Quotes") and pin the new quote every day so you have inspiration when you need it to keep up this important family tradition. 
2. Challenge yourself and your family to have a meal together every day for the rest of the month! I bet you can!

Get a Conversation Starter question each week night by *liking* the Around the Table Facebook page! 

Linking with these great blogs.  

Disclosure

Mealtime Matters! -- Include God

Mimi Wilson is big on having God in your whole life, not just at "family devotions." What's one way you can include Him in your family meal today?

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I'm answering the challenge! 

A group of bloggers do a 31 day challenge for the month of October: 31 days blogging about one topic. 

My "topic" is Mealtime Matters. Because it does! 

Come back every day this month an inspirational quote and fun photo to inspire you to make family mealtimes a priority! 

There are two ways you can join the fun: 

1. Open a new Pinterest board and call it "Mealtime Matters" (or "Inspiration for Family Meals" or just "Quotes") and pin the new quote every day so you have inspiration when you need it to keep up this important family tradition. 
2. Challenge yourself and your family to have a meal together every day for the rest of the month! I bet you can!

Get a Conversation Starter question each week night by *liking* the Around the Table Facebook page! 

Linking with these great blogs.  

Disclosure

Mealtime Matters! -- Just One

I think a lot of people think they can't do family meals 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year. But you don't have to, just start with one. Maybe you can build up from once a week to twice to thrice. Do what you can.

So you can't have a dinner party of 20 or even 8? Ask one single to join your family for a meal. Fix whatever you were going to cook--just a little more--and you've done it! A family meal and hospitality. Baby steps.

*   *   *   *   *

I'm answering the challenge! 

A group of bloggers do a 31 day challenge for the month of October: 31 days blogging about one topic. 

My "topic" is Mealtime Matters. Because it does! 

Come back every day this month an inspirational quote and fun photo to inspire you to make family mealtimes a priority! 

There are two ways you can join the fun: 

1. Open a new Pinterest board and call it "Mealtime Matters" (or "Inspiration for Family Meals" or just "Quotes") and pin the new quote every day so you have inspiration when you need it to keep up this important family tradition. 
2. Challenge yourself and your family to have a meal together every day for the rest of the month! I bet you can!

Get a Conversation Starter question each week night by *liking* the Around the Table Facebook page! 

Linking with these great blogs.  

Disclosure

Mealtime Matters! -- The Menu

You don't have to be a short order cook to get them all to eat. Give them this choice. As the Germans say, "Hunger is the best cook." 

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I'm answering the challenge! 

A group of bloggers do a 31 day challenge for the month of October: 31 days blogging about one topic. 

My "topic" is Mealtime Matters. Because it does! 

Come back every day this month an inspirational quote and fun photo to inspire you to make family mealtimes a priority! 

There are two ways you can join the fun: 

1. Open a new Pinterest board and call it "Mealtime Matters" (or "Inspiration for Family Meals" or just "Quotes") and pin the new quote every day so you have inspiration when you need it to keep up this important family tradition. 
2. Challenge yourself and your family to have a meal together every day for the rest of the month! I bet you can!

Get a Conversation Starter question each week night by *liking* the Around the Table Facebook page! 

Linking with these great blogs.  

Disclosure

Mealtime Matters! -- To the Glory of God

Ever wondered how you eat and drink to the glory of God? Think about it a while, I'm sure you'll come up with lots of ways.

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I'm answering the challenge! 

A group of bloggers do a 31 day challenge for the month of October: 31 days blogging about one topic. 

My "topic" is Mealtime Matters. Because it does! 

Come back every day this month an inspirational quote and fun photo to inspire you to make family mealtimes a priority! 

There are two ways you can join the fun: 

1. Open a new Pinterest board and call it "Mealtime Matters" (or "Inspiration for Family Meals" or just "Quotes") and pin the new quote every day so you have inspiration when you need it to keep up this important family tradition. 
2. Challenge yourself and your family to have a meal together every day for the rest of the month! I bet you can!

Get a Conversation Starter question each week night by *liking* the Around the Table Facebook page! 

Linking with these great blogs.  

Disclosure

Mealtime Matters! -- Belonging

That's what I wanted: my kids to feel like they belonged. Each one is different, but each one is loved, and each one belongs in our family.

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I'm answering the challenge! 

A group of bloggers do a 31 day challenge for the month of October: 31 days blogging about one topic. 

My "topic" is Mealtime Matters. Because it does! 

Come back every day this month an inspirational quote and fun photo to inspire you to make family mealtimes a priority! 

There are two ways you can join the fun: 

1. Open a new Pinterest board and call it "Mealtime Matters" (or "Inspiration for Family Meals" or just "Quotes") and pin the new quote every day so you have inspiration when you need it to keep up this important family tradition. 
2. Challenge yourself and your family to have a meal together every day for the rest of the month! I bet you can!

Get a Conversation Starter question each week night by *liking* the Around the Table Facebook page! 

Linking with these great blogs.  

Disclosure

Mealtime Matters! -- Hospitality and Humor

The other day I tried making pumpkin muffins with stevia for guests. Bad idea. I served them and laughed about what happened. Some people even ate them! Oh well, the truth is out: I'm not the hostess with the mostest!

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I'm answering the challenge! 

A group of bloggers do a 31 day challenge for the month of October: 31 days blogging about one topic. 

My "topic" is Mealtime Matters. Because it does! 

Come back every day this month an inspirational quote and fun photo to inspire you to make family mealtimes a priority! 

There are two ways you can join the fun: 

1. Open a new Pinterest board and call it "Mealtime Matters" (or "Inspiration for Family Meals" or just "Quotes") and pin the new quote every day so you have inspiration when you need it to keep up this important family tradition. 
2. Challenge yourself and your family to have a meal together every day for the rest of the month! I bet you can!

Get a Conversation Starter question each week night by *liking* the Around the Table Facebook page! 

Linking with these great blogs.  

Disclosure

Mealtime Matters! -- Memorable Moments

I believe the way we connect with our children and families is by creating events. A daily meal together is an event, one that you can do easily on a regular basis. And believe me, I'm so glad we did for the 27 years we had children living at home and every time they come back!

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I'm answering the challenge! 

A group of bloggers do a 31 day challenge for the month of October: 31 days blogging about one topic. 

My "topic" is Mealtime Matters. Because it does! 

Come back every day this month an inspirational quote and fun photo to inspire you to make family mealtimes a priority! 

There are two ways you can join the fun: 

1. Open a new Pinterest board and call it "Mealtime Matters" (or "Inspiration for Family Meals" or just "Quotes") and pin the new quote every day so you have inspiration when you need it to keep up this important family tradition. 
2. Challenge yourself and your family to have a meal together every day for the rest of the month! I bet you can!

Get a Conversation Starter question each week night by *liking* the Around the Table Facebook page! 

Linking with these great blogs.  

Disclosure