Family Dinner -- That Chicken and Conversation

I don't believe there is anything that warms my heart more than a family dinner.  Although there are currently five of us living in our home, varying work schedules don't always allow the entire family to be together for dinner every night.  Unless it is Sunday!  Then everyone is usually home for dinner and Momma is a happy girl.   

I like to pull together a comfort food celebration on Sunday nights before everyone has to gear up for another long week at work.  Sometimes it's pot roast or a Mexican fiesta with all the works.  Still other times, it's an old standby like spaghetti or That Chicken. 

What is That Chicken you ask?  Anyone who frequents my home for dinner will eventually be fed That Chicken and jasmine rice.  It is made of chicken breasts which have been dipped in melted butter (or chicken broth for a healthier version) and then thrown in a bag to be shaken with bread crumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, loads of garlic powder, pepper and parsley.  It's then baked in the oven on 400 while the jasmine rice cooks in the steamer. 

My kids named this dish "That Chicken" because it was a recipe I made up long ago without a name.  When my kids were younger, they would come into the house, smell the strong, mouth-watering scent of garlic and then cheer, "Yay, she made that chicken again!"  So the name stuck.  Even though they are in there 20s now, they still love That Chicken especially at Sunday dinners.  Often they slice it and pile it on sloppy sandwiches with lots of "fixins." 

No matter what we serve for Sunday dinner, the best part is watching the faces around the table and listening to the loud voices and constant laughter.  Our family members truly love each other and enjoy teasing and telling stories.  My love for each of them grows as I sit at the table listening to their tales and adventures. 

I love watching Better Half when he tells stories from his life.  These stories are like gold nuggets.  It's the only time everyone else stops, turns quiet and is mesmerized like little children during story time in Kindergarten.  The room is silent and better half engages us in a world we can't imagine.  I watch his face.  I watch their faces.  I fall in love with all of them all over again.

Then his stories end and the clean up begins.  Madness returns and everyone is talking at once.  Except for Momma.  I am smiling in my heart at the beautiful people I adore and I know I am blessed far beyond words.  My life is a fairytale and my family is my treasure.