Hello dear readers,

We sprang forward! My daffodils are poking up. Our backyard birds flew back from their warmer winter climes. And that extra daylight in the evening? Divine. Despite the wildly fluctuating temperatures, spring is on the way. Are you feeling it?

As I write thunder grumbles outside, signaling our first severe weather outbreak. Electronics are charged, back up batteries and flashlights are within reach and the generator is at the ready. I just opened the basement door, let the games begin.

No matter, I have a little bit of food left from Sunday patiently waiting in my fridge for dinner. This meal is both light and cozy. The chicken tastes like spring itself. And that lemon sauce over mashed potatoes? Comfort in a bowl. Chicken juices mixed with lemon sauce is pure magic.

The lemon chicken recipe is slightly adapted from Katie Workman’s recreation of the classic Rao's restaurant meal. Yes, that Rao's. Don’t know Katie? Let me introduce you. She is my go to girl for everyday and special occasion meals. My family has eaten most of the food in her first cookbook, The Mom 100, created by Workman Publishing in 2012. In fact, my selective eater child visibly relaxes about dinner when I’m cooking a recipe from Mrs. Workman.

On Sunday we welcomed new faces into our weekly tradition while remembering those no longer with us. Everything changes but much more remains the same. We gathered at the table where I addressed wedding invitations, completed piles of adoption paperwork, supervised beginning readers, studied sight words, and drilled weekly spelling lists. We used plates that have witnessed thousands of family meals and linen napkins softened by many trips through the laundry. And, as Joni says, “ we go round and round and round in a circle game.”

The Menu

• Broiled Lemon Chicken - slightly adapted from Katie Workman of The Mom 100 website and cookbook as well as The Crowded Table newsletter

• Rustic Mashed Potatoes

• Arugula Salad with White Balsamic Vinaigrette - inspired by First Watch

• Elderflower Lemon Loaf Cake - adapted from The Kitchn

The Recipes