The Art of Seating and Setting

You may not have considered this, but raising children is an art as well. Probably one of the most difficult and you have to wait whether you did a good job until they are grown up.

The hardest part however is when they leave home, begin their own life and you don't get to see them as often anymore as you like. That's why we started the tradition of having family dinner at least once a month.

The problem may occur though that the dining table is not large enough to seat everyone. That is why I like this Manhattan extending dining table; it can easily be extended to seat at least 10 people, while the table legs remain at the corners. How clever; no one has to content with those pesky legs being in their way.

Our old dining room table has been replaced several months ago for a larger one which now offers enough space to sit the entire family. It is still tight, but already so much better then it was before when we had to scrimp to provide everyone a place at the table. I really wouldn't mind having an even bigger one; you can never have enough space at a dining table.

I enjoy well set dining tables and try to make ours look just as nice as the ones I often see in magazines. A centerpiece always gives that little extra, but with three young grandkids that is asking for trouble, so I usually do without. Yes, they will grow up too and that centerpiece will eventually find its place as well. :-)