Books/Reviews/How-To

By Summer Lane

Photo: Deposit

Taste and see that the Lord is good;
    blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. (Psalm 34:8)

I recently read through a cookbook written by Abby Turner, the creator and curator of “A Table Top Affair,” a blog dedicated to the Biblical service of hospitality and fellowship. The book was gifted to me, and it had been wedged tightly into a stack of other cookbooks for quite some time in the wake of the holiday season. I rediscovered it recently and sat down to read through it for the first time – and I’m so glad I did!

Turner brings a message of Scripture and encouragement to her cookbook, and she also doles out some of the easiest and most scrumptious recipes I’ve ever seen! I will definitely be trying my hand at as many as I can.

The book is aimed at women who want to learn how to provide easy and warm hospitality for their friends – an act of Biblical service that we see reflected in Bible stories like Mary and Martha, for example! Here is the official synopsis:

A devotional hospitality book that will equip the most intimidated hostess.

What is on your dining room table right now? Bills, laundry, maybe your kids’ soccer cleats? In this fast-paced world, it’s easy to start trading our dining tables for sofas and televisions, but what would happen if we started to see the table as the most important piece of furniture in our homes? Just picture it: No TV. No cell phones. Just your family enjoying one another over a nice meal.

In The Living Table, Instagram personality and home chef Abby Turner shares easy-to-recreate recipes and fun, DIY projects that take 15 minutes or less. Each section starts with a first-hand account of the miraculous ways God has showed up at Abby’s table-how deep conversations have led to deep spiritual growth, how a new friend has become a forever friend, and how tears and laughs and mishaps have become treasured memories. With each section focusing on specific tables (dinner table, coffee table, outside table, etc.), you’ll discover fast and easy ways to liven up any moment, whether that be Tuesday night home with family or a well-thought-out Thanksgiving. God is asking each of us to open our homes and prepare our tables-this book gives you the “easy button” to do just that.

If you are one of those people who wants to invite her friends over but is afraid that your hospitality won’t be “good” enough, then this book is for you! Abby talks about how it’s not about perfection – it’s about intentionality! It’s about being there for the people you love even through the “boring” moments of life. Everything is worth celebrating.

Personally, when I have gone through hard times, some of my most poignant memories were when people took the time to gift me food or send me a meal. Those moments have been few and far between in my life, but when they happen, I cherish them. I’m not one to ask for help – ever – so if someone invites me to their home for dinner or offers to bring me something, it makes a profound impact on me! I suspect that there are a lot of people who are just like me in that area, too!

That feeling that I have is also why I love to invite people over to MY house as often as I can manage so I can provide them with a meal and set aside some time to “hang out” and talk about life.

You can get Abby Turner’s book HERE or check out her lovely blog HERE.

Whether you whip up her tasty s’mores popcorn or delightful goat cheese balls with honey and rosemary, I hope you enjoy reading through “The Living Table” and are inspired to throw more dinner parties, Galentine’s brunches, and snack-fueled Bible studies!

Here are a few of my personal favorite recipes from Abby’s lovely book:

• Espresso balls,
• Blue cheese bacon dip,
• French Punch,
• Greek French fry basket,
• Mediterranean galette,
• Mocha Mousse,
• No-Bake fruit cheesecake (a lifesaver for parties!),
• Cheesecake salad.

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The opinions in this article are specific to its author, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the entire Counter Culture Mom team. This specific article was written by Summer Lane, and may not be reproduced, except to quote for reviews or interviews, without the express permission of the author. 

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Summer Lane is the #1 bestselling author of 30 books, including the hit Collapse Series. She is an experienced journalist and columnist who reports on news within the U.S. and abroad. She is the Associate Editor for Right Side Broadcasting Network. Additionally, she owns Write Revolution News, where she provides a rapid-fire feed of the nation’s most important America First news and events.

Summer is also a mom and wife who enjoys rural country living, herding cats and ducks, and reading fiction. She is passionate about writing on women’s issues, parenting, and politics from a theologically-grounded perspective that points readers to the good news of the gospel.

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