grace grits and gardening

ramblings from an arkansas farm girl

  • Home
  • Biography
  • Media
  • Privacy Policy
  • My Thoughts on Publishing
  • SHOP!
  • Garden
  • Food
  • Crafts
  • Farm
  • Reading & Books
  • Sunday Letter

Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?

February 11, 2013 By Talya Tate Boerner 17 Comments

You’ve heard the question—if you could host a dinner party and invite anyone, dead or alive, who would you invite?
The subject intrigues me. I feel I need to be ready with my answer in case by some miracle, I’m allowed this opportunity yet have only one minute to respond else lose my chance.
I’ve thought about various actors but haven’t been able to come up with anyone. I’m not very impressed with famous people and think I would be uncomfortable entertaining total strangers.
Oprah? No.
President Obama? No. 
I’ve considered historical people like Abraham Lincoln and George Washington. Maybe...but the pressure to ask intelligent questions would be daunting.
William Shakespeare? No, Methinks I shan’t understand a word he saith.

Jesus? No need. He would already be there.
Sports figures? Dirk Nowitzski? Yes! Dirk could eat with us anytime.
Robert Griffin III? Obviously.
I’ve decided instead of famous or infamous people, I would invite my family, those gone and those still here. Nana and Papa Creecy, Daddy, Aunt Virgie, Aunt Rena, Aunt Lavern, Uncle Woody, etc. I’d invite Mammaw Ruby and Papa Homer and Ted and Freddie Joe Parnell and John’s entire family. I’d include all the cousins on both sides of the family so no one would get a word in edgewise.

One big family reunion.
Oh, and I’d invite Elvis to provide the musical entertainment.
Now, what should I cook?

talya

We Are Family, Sister Sledge

“All hell done broke loose now!” – Tillie, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner

(and yes, Becky, I know exactly who you’d invite…)

Filed Under: Family Tagged With: Elvis, Johnson Family

Wanna receive posts via email? Sign up here!

Comments

  1. Colene and Tom says

    February 11, 2013 at 7:12 am

    Family first!

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      February 11, 2013 at 8:37 am

      yes!

      Reply
  2. Gary Henderson says

    February 11, 2013 at 8:00 am

    Now, what should I cook?

    Well, duh! If Elvis is going to be there, your menu is set. Fried peanut-butter and banana sandwiches, of course!

    🙂

    The first two names that popped into my head when I read the opening question were “Nanny and Granddaddy.” It’s coming up on four years since we lost Nanny. I still miss her so much.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      February 11, 2013 at 8:37 am

      So, I had already thought about Elvis food, but more of a deconstructed peanut butter banana pudding for dessert? Time to bring Elvis into the future… Something Top Chef worthy? And if I ever have the opportunity to do this, your family can join my family. We are practically family, right? T.

      Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      February 11, 2013 at 8:38 am

      And, would it be rude to ask everyone to bring a dish? I could sure use some of Mammaw Tate’s chicken and dumplings…and Nana’s chocolate pie…

      Reply
  3. Anonymous says

    February 11, 2013 at 8:10 am

    Enjoyed the read. I want all the above at my dinner party. All the people in your pictures. theB

    Reply
  4. Anonymous says

    February 11, 2013 at 8:11 am

    The first person who popped into my head was my mother. B

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      February 11, 2013 at 8:37 am

      me too.

      Reply
  5. Michael Adams says

    February 11, 2013 at 8:31 pm

    Loved this! I’d have a difficult time choosing between either my heroes or long gone family to be honest. I had never considered deceased family until you posted the idea. (though I haven’t given this question much though before either).

    Here is my list (off the top of my head)

    – My Dad (died when I was seven)
    – I might pass on Obama and go for Hillary at this point (I’m curious about foreign policy)
    – The Dali Lama (always and forever him)
    – My step-son says, “Marilyn Manson, to ask what the hell is wrong with him.”
    – I’ll add Stephen Colbert (comedy is always good)
    – My step-son says “Lucile Ball, because he wants to hear about the radio waves she thought she was picking up in her tooth filling.”
    – David Sedaris (though he might compete with Stephen Colbert over being funny)
    – I think I’d have to invite Meister Eckhart, though I might regret it later
    – Malcolm X might be interesting (again I might regret that though)
    – Julius Caesar (I just have to know why he didn’t listen to Brutus’ warning not to enter the Senate today).

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      February 12, 2013 at 1:56 am

      Oooh interesting and diverse list! Yes on the comedy idea:))

      I’ve since decided to add Reade Macon Washington, George Washington’s lesser known cousin who lived and died in our house. And Robert Munger, the man who developed our neighborhood. Would love to chat with them about Dallas 100 years ago..

      Reply
  6. Anonymous says

    February 11, 2013 at 10:20 pm

    Love it! I’ll be there! I’ll bring a Mexican Wedding Cake and Mamma Ruby’s Chess Pie, and Egg Custard Pie. I’m afraid I never have got the dumplings down, but could bring some dressing! Just don’t ask me to bring WessonOilCake or any dirivative thereof. 🙂 Love your guest list.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      February 12, 2013 at 1:57 am

      Ok you don’t have to bring that many dishes and no, no Wesson Oil cupcakes…

      Reply
  7. Patricia A. Laster says

    February 12, 2013 at 6:59 am

    I’d have to serve whatever Schwan’s products I’ve bought–mashed potatoes, Philly Chicken, a green veggie melange, strawberries and blueberries and, of course, an ice cream cup for dessert. Loved the post AND the comments.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      February 13, 2013 at 10:01 am

      Sounds like a great meal! Can I come to yours?

      Reply
  8. Kelsey Erickson says

    February 15, 2013 at 6:29 am

    Great post, Mom. I want to come to this party, especially if Elvis is playing.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      February 15, 2013 at 6:41 am

      Of course you would come! You need to meet alot of these people, including Elvis:)

      Reply
  9. Barbara Tate says

    March 30, 2016 at 10:17 am

    Loved this.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


Hi! I'm Talya Tate Boerner. Writer, Reader, Arkansas Master Naturalist / Master Gardener, Author of

THE ACCIDENTAL SALVATION OF GRACIE LEE (2016)

GENE, EVERYWHERE: a life-changing visit from my father-in-law (2020)

BERNICE RUNS AWAY (Now Available!)

Never miss a blog post! Subscribe via email:

Prior Posts

Tags

A to Z April Blog Challenge Autumn BAT Book Reviews childhood Christmas creative writing prompt Dallas Desserts Eureka Springs Fall Fayetteville Food Gracie Lee Halloween Hemingway-Pfeiffer home humor Johnson Family Keiser Lake Norfork Lucy and Annabelle Mississippi County Mississippi Delta moving Munger Place Nana nature Northeast Arkansas Northwest Arkansas Osceola poem Reading Schnauzer simple living simple things spring spring gardening Summer sunday letter Talya Tate Boerner novel The Accidental Salvation of Gracie Lee Thomas Tate Winter Wordless Wednesday

Books by Talya Boerner / Purchase in Grace Grits SHOP

Talya Tate Boerner books
Gene, Everywhere

Food. Farm. Garden. Life.

THANKS FOR READING!

All content and photos Copyright Grace, Grits and Gardening © 2023 · Web Hosting By StrataByte