Dinner and Divinity - May 19th - Knowledge

With the last day we had before leaving for a two week trip to Finland and Norway, Tanja and I decided to host our twice monthly Dinner and Divinity. We absolutely love opening our home and watching our community of friends grow. You may enter as a stranger, but I promise you this, you will leave as a friend.

Earlier in the day, Tanja and I went over to Alma's from TakeBackTheKitchen and shot a little food preparation video for her blog. We decided to make our favorite salad - a cranberry pear goat cheese salad, tossed in a nice balsamic vingerette. The video went great and will be up her blog sometime next week. We served the salad at our dinner and it was a hit as usual.

After dinner, we gathered together for some music, a short story, and some interfaith devotions. We had little drummers (ages 4 and 5) who did a great job of keeping the beat! The story we read as a group was about Majnun and Layli, the folktale of two lovers, lost in separation. As Majnun is being chased by the police, cursing them and their injustice, trapped, he climbs over a wall and lands in the Layli's garden. Reunited with his love, he blesses and prays for the policeman, recognizing that this test was leading him to his desire. Therefore, we should see the "end in the beginning" and know that difficulties that cut us, are making space for our joy to fill us.

Here are some photos from the evening. See you next time, Saturday, June 12th - 7pm.

Kate, Josh and Nicky

Dinner: Mashed potatoes, salmon, broccoli bake, canjun chicken drumsticks and the aforementioned salad.

Broccoli bake - it's like a quiche with out the crust! The recipe is here.

Reza, Atridad and Arvin

Andrea, Greg and Jada

Josh and Kate. Okay, enough posing. Hasta luego!

Dinner and Divinity - April 16th - Artistic Peace

This weeks D&D was an artistic evening. After a delicious dinner of shrimp fried rice, an asian salad and falafel and homemade tahini, we gathered together to create some music and share some wisdom. Afterward, we spent about 20 minutes making "peace pledges" for our peace banner. Then, we tied them together and hung them up in our hallway. It's still there today! :)

Towards the end of the night, a friend of mine, Alma, shared with us some information about a fundraiser that is being held for the Montclair Public Schools in June. It'll be an afternoon potluck / concert. "Dinner and Divinity" will be joining the event and spreading the word. The event is in conjuction with two of Alma's projects which you can check out. One, is a cooking blog: www.TakeBackTheKitchen.com and the second, a non-profit run by Montclair parents / musicians: www.ParentsWhoRock.com

Check out the photos from the night and we hope to see you at the next Dinner and Divinity, April 30th.

Dinner is served.

Jagadisha, rocking the dejembe.

Nicky and Ally

Jen busting some riffs.

Working on our "peace pledges."

Alma's delicious, homemade, chocolate, oatmeal thingys.

Hayden and Valentin sharing a calm moment.

And Jeff and Valentin sharing a joyous one.

Our Peace Banner!

Dinner and Divinity - March 19th - The New Year

On Friday, March 19th, we gathered for a D&D celebrating the New Year (the Persian and Baha'i New Year) and the first day of Spring. The evening began with a bounteous Fast-breaking dinner. We had salad, tabbouleh, chicken corn chowder, sesame noodle salad and lots of chicken (thanks to all those who brought some dishes!) After dinner, we sang and played music, shared some interfaith gems of wisdom, and refreshed and prepared ourselves for the coming year.

Friends, may this next year of your lives bring you new blessings, friends and experiences. Happy Spring!

This is Atridad and he rocks. He's easily the coolest 4 and a half year old I know. :D

This is Ally and she rocks. She's easily the coolest 19 year old I know. :D

Reza (Atridad's dad) and my dad sharing some stories.

Arvin (Atridad's Mom) and my mom sharing some stories. :)

Raspberry topped lemon loaf. AMAZING. :)

See you next time!