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Wednesday, March 16, 2022

The Family Supper Table and a Spring Potato Salad Recipe


“There is no occasion when meals should become totally unimportant. Meals can be very small indeed, very inexpensive, short times taken in the midst of a big push of work, but they should be always more than just food.” 
~ Edith Schaeffer, The Hidden Art of Homemaking

Once again, I’m here to share the good and noble tidings of a family supper… If a homemaker was going to have one goal of the day, this would be mine.

I remember the younger years as I cleaned little messes throughout the home, changed diapers, attempted laundry and a tidy kitchen. All of these things were the precursor of the most important event of the day… when the dinner table was set, when father came home, when the family is rejoined in prayer around the meal that mother took all the day long to prepare (you are quite right to think it shouldn’t and didn’t take all the day long to prepare, however, everything throughout the day was planned and arranged so this glorious moment would actually happen - so in a way this is so).

Everyone in the household knew a special time awaited them. They knew a meal would be lovingly made (however simple) and presented on the table with dishes, napkins and sparkling utensils. But most importantly, was the undivided attention given to one another.

And this, is what my whole day in the home essentially revolves around to this very day (even with my adult family)… bringing us all back to the table each evening for fellowship with one another and our heavenly Creator. 

Amidst the toil of home keeping, the energy of child raising, the time spent homeschooling… always in the background whispers the daily question… what is to be for dinner? And what needs to be done throughout the day to make it happen as peacefully as possible?

For it is the picture of a family heritage, a family covenant and the precursor of the most important and holy family reunion of all time.

The heavenly one…

“Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ ” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.”
~ Revelations 19:9


Spring Potato (and/or Macaroni) Salad Recipe

  • 32 oz. cooked/cooled Macaroni (or approx. 14 c. peeled, boiled, cooled 1/2” cubed potatoes*) 
  • 1 small can sliced black olives (drained) 
  • 1 small can chopped black olives (drained) 
  • 2 small jars pimentos (undrained) 
  • 2 stocks celery (chopped fine) 
  • 6 chopped pickles (more may be added later for more tartness) 
  • 8 - 10 shredded hard boiled eggs 
  • 3 stocks thinly sliced chives 
  • 6 shredded radishes 
  • mayonnaise to taste and texture (32 oz. jar, start with half the jar)***
  • seasoned salt, salt & pepper (to taste) 
  • dill (dry or fresh to taste) 
  • onion powder (to taste) 
  • cayenne pepper (to taste) 
  • garnish: sprinkle of paprika on final product 
  • optional: squirt of mustard for more tang
  • optional garnish: rose radish with parsley leaves 

Combine all the ingredients together in a large bowl. Start off with half the jar of mayonnaise and add more as necessary according to taste and texture. Season according to taste as well. Once the mixture is to your liking, sprinkle with paprika for a final finish. 

Chill the salad in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

This can be made a day ahead of time for convenience.


* When making potato salad, make sure to cube the boiled potatoes in a smaller 1/2” size. This allows for more flavor to envelop the pieces. Larger chunks do not taste as seasoned. 

** The amount of mayonnaise is key in this recipe. Too dry of a salad isn’t appetizing while too “wet” of a salad is quite overwhelming. I like to start with 1/2 jar and continue to stir until the consistency is moist without being overdone. 

*** I like to use the Primal Kitchen or Chosen Foods mayonnaise which is made with avocado oil (which I feel has healthier ingredients).


Here is a printable recipe should you like to add it to your Recipe Book!

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22 comments:

  1. The biggest thing we miss as empty nesters is the kids around the table. It is such a blessing when they can be here with their children now and we love to eat at their tables. On the very rare occasion that everyone can be here we have a crowd of 19. That is the biggest blessing of all at supper time.

    Our supper prep starts the night before. As soon as the kitchen is cleaned up we look to the next days' menu and get the items out of the freezer to thaw for the next supper. I like to get up in the morning knowing what I will be cooking and what I will need to prep during the day. It is lovely to have a bowl of potato salad or pasta salad or coleslaw ready for meals for a few days and the meals to accompany it all planned out. If I am awake during the night I even plan out breakfast and lunch in my mind and then it is done.

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  2. With my children all grown, I miss those times we all sat around the table together. As a young mom, I took those times for granted in the midst of toddler and baby raising. It is something I always look forward to when they visit.πŸ’•
    That recipe looks delicious! Might have to figure out a keto version.😁

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    1. So true Yvette! I hope some of the young mothers will read this... it feels like such a task in the younger family years but as time goes by, you miss it with all your heart♥️

      Perhaps cauliflower in lieu of potato :)

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    2. Yes, with all my heart for sure.❤
      Thank you, cauliflower would be a perfect switch for potatoes! Going to try this.πŸ€—

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  3. Your potato salad is making my mouth water. Looks utterly delicious.

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    1. Thank you so much Debby! It sure is a treat! I don't make it often ♥️

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  4. Thank you for this post! My family always looks forward to my home-cooked meals and I try not to disappoint. ;)
    Anxious to try your recipe, as well!

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    1. It is the crowning glory at the end of a long day ♥️

      Thank you Leslie!

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  5. I loved this post Jes and I'm sure your home is a beautiful, welcoming haven. In my home I normally plan the next days dinner later in the evening or while I'm going off to sleep !! :) true. The of course I get out whatever might need defrosting etc. I thought the recipe looks really tasty too. Thanks for sharing ~ Linda

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    1. Yes, it is important to figure it out ahead just for that defrosting time! We don't use a microwave so that time is imperative! Thank you for sharing here today ♥️

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  6. Glad I'm not the only one whose day usually revolves around the evening meal and making it happen! Although I'm working on not feeling slighted when he ends up having to work late and I end up sitting down alone with the children...I have to remind myself that the point is to be his helpmeet, and not for my efforts to be the center of everyone's attention...

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    1. Yes, it definitely can be disheartening when your husband isn't there to bask in your beautiful efforts! I think we all have had that feeling.... But rest assured that God sees all you do to love your family and it is never unnoticed from above... ♥️ Keep up the beautiful work! Your children will call you blessed (Proverbs 31:28)!

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    2. What a great reminder JES! Thank you.

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    3. Thank you for taking the time to comment ♥️ have a lovely day!

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  7. I believe that everything we do, as simple as may seem, is important to the well being of our family.I just made this for our lunch (after seing your post) and it was DELICIOUS! :)
    I made some changes according to our taste and my husband licked his plate! Thank you so much for sharing!
    Even though we may face some fights and our lives aren't picture perfect, we must confide in Him, to guide us.

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    1. Hi Paula, thank you for sharing that!!! So glad it worked for your family and that you were able to adapt it accordingly. That is the beauty of homemaking, we each have a unique footprint!

      Also, as far as your other comment goes, I will be getting back to you on that when time permits... sometimes it takes me a while to word things!!!

      Take care!

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  8. The salad looks delicious! I love how there are so many variations one can make. Just simple touches to make our homes and tables beautiful!

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    1. Isn't it true! A potato salad has so many options and we homemakers have learned to make do with what we have to create many different variations ♥️

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  9. You are completely correct in that a meal need not take an entire day to develop, but I do find the earlier in the day I begin it the less stressed I am to get it on the table. Today I have a delicious vegetable soup base simmering in a red cast iron pot on the stove to which I will add tiny alphabet noodles right before we eat, and two pans of dough rising, one a loaf of bread and the other cheese and garlic scrolls to serve with dinner. Neither took particularly long to make, but they were lovingly assembled during the noon hour and so dinner is simple and filling and, most importantly, done. :)
    I just love your posts, Jes. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
    Shani

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    1. Dear Shani, I completely agree! I like to do most of the preparations when energy levels are the highest :) and that homemaking scene you described is simple beautiful ♥️

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