Bread & Wine Guest Post #2
I am a member of a book club that doesn’t read books. I blame The Red Head for this. She invited us all to join her for breakfast and literary conversation, but then she moved to Georgia. Without her strong leadership, we forgot about discussing books entirely.
We do, however, share one passion. We love chatting about everything and nothing at an outside table in front of the Vienna Café. We have tried other restaurants, but they don’t feel like home to us. The Vienna is our place.
Saturday mornings once a month, I order the veggie crepe and an herbal tea. Monika has egg whites and coffee. Febe likes the brie. The meals come served on mis-matched china plates with fancy tea cups and saucers.
Janet brings pictures of her three adorable grandkids who live in California. All of their names start with the letter J, and her face lights up as she describes each of their Halloween costumes. She flies across the country every year for the weekend just to go trick-or-treating with her precious treasures.
We linger long after the plates have cleared. Febe’s daughter is graduating from high school this spring. Wasn’t she eight years old just yesterday?
Monika just ran another 5k. She pulls out her phone to share a picture of her disobedient kids — she loves those two big, crazy dogs.
We did not read a novel again this month, but we did engage in storytelling.
Four years ago, I showed up for breakfast at the Vienna with an engagement ring on my left hand. Janet immediately began planning my bridal shower. We met on her back porch overlooking the water. A large table in the center contained scrumptious delights, including Monika’s homemade bread and muffins.
I waited forty-one years to get married. These women had prayed for me. They had grieved with me, and now, they celebrated with me.
Through the lives of my friends, I have learned that God writes spectacular endings to stories.
Yes, I am a member of a book club that doesn’t read books. Remind me to send that Red Head a thank you note.
By Lyli, 3-D Lessons For Life
Guest Post Second Helping!
WITH LOVE AND HOMEMADE BREAD
You could tell it came as something of a surprise.
I mean, that I’d even consider attempting the thing at all.
Everyone knew how utterly inept I was in the kitchen. So this announcement was rather unlike me and his astonishment was understandable.
I had decided to bake bread.
Real bread. With wheat kernels, yeast, oil and salt. Starting from scratch and made with my own hands.
It’s hard to tell what got into me. Not that I didn’t love food and everything surrounding it. I was an avid subscriber to the magazines – Cook’s Illustrated, Food & Wine, Saveur – and devoured every issue. I collected cookbooks and watched Julia Child reruns after our babies were tucked in bed. I mentally rehearsed the delicious recipes, picturing each step and the scrumptious smells that would surely accompany it.
Yet it was all pretend. Make-believe. A kind of game I played.
Because the truth was – I was afraid of the kitchen.
Afraid of mistakes.
For anyone who’s been afraid of the kitchen and intimidated to try because of what might go wrong, you’re going to want to click through to Lisa Jacobson’s blog, Club 31 Women, to see how what happened next. You’re in for a treat!
Leave a Comment
Marina @ Marina's Kitchen Table says
Oh how delightful!! If I felt settled, really settled, I’d pursue a group of women like this!! As it is in my life today – I barely feel as if this is home. Lord, let me be content!! And wherever I lay my head, let it be home, and fill my life with lovely women like this!!
Thanks for inspiring!!! Thanks for posting!!
Lyli @3-D Lessons for Life says
Marina, praying with you for God to fill us both with contentment … Some seasons are hard, but God has a way of bringing people into our lives that always catches me by surprise.
Shelly Miller says
I was part of an un-book club too Lyli. The one who started it moved back to England so we met once a month and just ended up talking. There is something about the way a book will bring people from all walks of life together and create a beautiful circle of community. Enjoyed your story and learning a bit more about you.
Lyli @3-D Lessons for Life says
I really look forward to breaking bread with these women, Shelly. We’ve all been crazy busy lately and have not seen as much of each other. It is good for the soul to sit across the table with your friends. 🙂
Angi says
Oooh Lyli! I love that kind of book club! Friends sharing meals and sharing hearts. What a blessing those friendships are 🙂 Great storytelling friend!
Lyli @3-D Lessons for Life says
Thanks, Angi! Food and friends are a fabulous combination. 🙂
Emily says
Lyli- love this! The UnBook Club! I admit that sometimes my small group (6 young women who all went to high school together)… We read & plan to talk. But once we sit down around the table, it’s so nice to just take a deep breath, relax, and talk to your girlfriends! (sometimes we talk for an hour and discuss the book for 5 minutes shhh) 😉 We just need that time with other women who “get it”, time to unwind & unload and hear that you’re not alone! Thank you for sharing your story. 🙂
Lyli @3-D Lessons for Life says
Emily, your small group sounds a lot like mine! We just finished doing Lisa Harper’s Malachi study, and we managed to get off topic almost every single evening… one of the girls has 3 little boys, and I think she was just glad to be out of the house and around someone who is not a male. 🙂
Lisa Jacobson says
Lyli, your story made me sad and happy all at the same time! Sad, because your Vienna cafe and friends all sound so lovely and I was sorry I wasn’t there too (in a good way :)). And happy because I LOVE happy endings! And God sure does write some “spectacular endings”! Amen. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful story.
Lyli @3-D Lessons for Life says
Lisa, new members are always welcome! (especially ones who bake yummy bread!)
Vanderbilt Wife says
It’s so wonderful to see you here, Lyli! Loving this tale. I have longed for the community of a book club since I left one, probably 5 years ago now. (Ironically, because everyone else had kids and I didn’t. Now who’s laughing?) But you’re right … the books aren’t what really matters, although I enjoy some book discussion. It’s all community. Always!
Lyli @3-D Lessons for Life says
A lot changes in 5 years, huh? 🙂
I think it’s hard for mommies to find time for community… that’s why I love that (in) courage provides a spot for all of us online.
~Karrilee~ says
I have a Bible study/Prayer Group that often forgets to open the Word, or spend time in prayer… and yet – the Word is shared and prayers are sent up unspoken every time we meet! I love this! Yes – send that Red Head a Thank You for sure!!!
Lyli @3-D Lessons for Life says
It’s such a blessing to have sisters who pray, isn’t it? 🙂
Joanne Viola says
You are blessed, indeed, to have friends to do life with, no matter the stage you are in. When it doesn’t matter where you meet, what you eat – only that you have a great discussion – that is GREAT relationship to be cherished. Wonderful post, Lyli!
Lyli @3-D Lessons for Life says
Thanks, Joanne. It’s a blessing to have women who are willing to “speak into” my life. I need their wisdom and support.
~ linda says
What a delightful read! I have never been in a book club without a book! Maybe I need to try that!! I am glad I came by, Lyli. You made me smile! Caring through Christ, ~ linda
Lyli @3-D Lessons for Life says
LInda, I have found the lack of bookishness to be quite refreshing! (I do like to read though…)
I am so enjoying Shauna’s book as part of the Bloom Book Club here with (in) courage.
Linda Virtue says
Thanks for the memories! What a great time to eat and share how the Lord has worked in each life. We really do need to write that book one day–I’m sure we would all read that one. LOL
Lyli @3-D Lessons for Life says
Linda, thanks for coordinating all of our crazy schedules… We should write a book, but I think we would probably just end up chatting instead… 🙂
Mindy Rogers says
Lyli,
Found you! 🙂 Such a treat to read you here as well as your own blog 🙂
Great post which I plan on sending to my girlfriends who “do life” with me!
-Mindy
Lyli @3-D Lessons for Life says
Mindy, I visited your blog last week for Emily’s end of the month link up. So lovely to connect with you again!
Girl time is the best time, isn’t it?
Lori Harris says
We did not read a novel again this month, but we did engage in storytelling.
You’ve inspired me to start an Un-Book club…and maybe start my own collection of mismatched china. =)
I’ve just moved back to my home state after being away for many years and I’m missing these kind of friendships- the ones where you circle up and do life together and spur one another on to pursue Christ.
Thank you for sharing here!
Lyli @ 3-D Lessons for Life says
Lori, praying you find cute tea cups and some kindred spirits to share them with soon. Looking forward to your guest post…. 🙂
Amy Ward says
I love that you and your friends are participating in a “book club” where you are living in the chapters God is writing for each of you month by month. The blessing of friendship and your special Vienna is something sweet.
Thanks for sharing your friends and your story here.
Lyli @ 3-D Lessons for Life says
Thanks, Amy. This is a group of friends that I have known for many years. We used to all work together at the same Christian School, but now God has moved us to different ministries. I realize now how spoiled I was to have them in my life EVERY DAY for so many years. Our Vienna chats bring them back to me — these women are “home base” for me. They keep me centered, and I cherish their wisdom and prayers.
Joyce says
So this makes me want to start an unbook club and bake bread for the first time!!!
Lyli @3-D Lessons for Life says
Thanks for stopping by Joyce! I peeked at your blog tonight, and you have a beautiful family. 🙂
Joyce says
Thanks Lyli!