Marshalls Abroad

Life

Our Cameron-Made Farm Table + Thoughts on Eating Together

My husband built this gorgeous table! And my photos do not do it justice! We’ve talked often about buying an extending farm table for the past few years. I told Cam what I envisioned for it, and instead of us trying to find and buy that vision, he just looked at me and said, “You know, I could build that. Yeah, I’m going to build it.” After using two weeks of vacation earlier in the summer, he did! He built it out of solid douglas fir, and made a leaf for it that takes it from a six foot table to a nine foot. It seriously weighs about a thousand pounds and I think it’s the most beautiful piece of furniture he’s created yet.

I love cooking (as you know!) and it has been a lot of fun to already have friends and family around our beautiful table that Cam worked so hard on. One of my best friends Carie spent a couple days with us a few weeks ago, my big brother Matt was here last week, Nana Beth is here right now and we’ve had a few friends over for dinner, which means I have a lot of new recipes to share soon. We’re hosting an Olmsted dinner here next week for 14. Let’s hope they like what I make… !

When we were in Okinawa, our dining table was on our deck (and really uncomfortable) so we avoided it every time it was too humid or we didn’t feel like being eaten alive by mosquitos and spent many nights eating on our couch in the cool AC. We were good about ditching our phones and distractions to have that time together, but more so now.  Half the time I don’t even know where my phone is. Ha! Seriously. It’s been wonderful to slow down, drink wine, and really talk to each other and re-connect after John Shea goes to sleep. It’s become precious time to us each night and really good for our marriage.

I wholeheartedly think that the table is the very heart of a home. It’s such an important part of life. None of us can survive without eating and drinking, but meals are so much more than that. It’s time to sit down, relax, talk, communicate. I think that something so simple has such great importance, with ramifications through our whole society. All throughout the Bible, too, we see breaking of bread together, meals shared, good food and wine, real conversation. Cam and I love the verse in John 12 about Lazarus reclining at the table with Jesus.  It’s after he had been raised from the dead and had tasted paradise. It’s like he’s saying, yeah, I know what awaits me and nothing in this world can take away that joy so I’m going to sit here all night next to Jesus and fully enjoy this meal. Yes. I love too how Jesus is inclusive. “Come and eat,” “Come and see,” “Come and have breakfast.” (John 21:12) I want to be like that!

If my blog does nothing else, I hope that it encourages people to eat together. Preferably with really good food and wine ๐Ÿ™‚

(More Cameron-Made Furniture here)


Comments

  1. Katie says

    Beautiful table! I have a question about it: what did you guys use to seal/finish the wood? We had a beautiful farm table made for us as a "souvenir" of our time in Germany but it's just stained right now…and with a table-top sized dog and a little babe, I need something that I can just wipe down quickly and easily without worrying about every drop of spilled whatever or pool of Great Dane drool ruining the wood.

  2. Kalen says

    Great idea! I think I've eaten no more than 5 meals at the table since moving in with my boyfriend…we always eat in front of the TV! I'm so ashamed…I always grew up around eating family meals about 5 nights a week! That table is gorgeous too…Ian's next project for our next house is to build a big farm table..right now the one we have seats just 2!

    • Amanda Marshall says

      Thanks, Kalen! Ha- trust me, we have done that many times too, sometimes it's nice to veg out. Hope he's able to build one for you guys – it's been awesome to have!

  3. Corinne says

    Your husband did an absolutely wonderful job on that table – it's stunning and looks exactly like what I would love to have in our own home. How lovely that he was able to create that beautiful piece for you two to have and enjoy for years to come!

  4. Pris says

    What a gorgeous table! Your husband did an excellent job! I also love the message that you are sending about the importance of taking the time to really be present with your family. I agree with you that a table is the heart of the home.. I hope I have a gorgeous table like that one day!

  5. Katie Cook says

    This is the most beautiful table my dear! And what you shared digs so deep in my heartโ€ฆi'm SO passionate about meals together:) Whenever we get our own place, the table is the first thing I envision in our home!! xoxo Katie

  8. brittany says

    this. makes. me. so. happy. 1. because i love your style. 2. because it reminds me of how much i love my farm table that my husband made me!! and 3. because um, so manly that they can do that!! i love all the stuff cam builds, i mean, it is amazing. i wish steven could find time to get more into it like that because i don't think he ever thought he could do it until he tried it. also i love love the wisdom you share i just want to absorb it and also you and i am going to stop before i start writing you poetry okay seeya ๐Ÿ˜‰

    • Amanda Marshall says

      Hahaha I love you! So manly – haha – but so true! Love that! I didn't know Steven built yours too! I want to see more pics!! Let's all get together and have dinner …

  10. Katie says

    How talented you and Cam are… he with the amazing carpentry skills and you as a master chef making things to put on that lovely table. Sitting down to eat together is something I'm huge on as well. Great post!

  11. Caroline says

    My family has always had dinners together, and I really do think that's one of the reasons we are so close knit. Nothing like good food and your favorite people at home!

  12. Alex says

    Wow, this is absolutely gorgeous. I really want a table like this one day. Thankfully my boyfriend is like Cam and said to me…I'll make us one. ๐Ÿ™‚

  14. Caravan Sonnet says

    I love this table!! SERIOUSLY your hubby is so talented!! And I totally agree with you… there is something so special and important about meals together. *smiles* Love this and love how you inspire us to eat yummy food and spend time with others in that setting!
    ๐Ÿ™‚ Rebecca

  15. redheadchick says

    Beautiful table! I cannot wait to settle back in the States and purchase (we have ZERO woodworking skills) a big family kitchen table. For now we'll settle on our flight school wall mart special. =)

  18. Casey says

    I've been begging my dad to build a table like this for our new house! We'll see if I can one day wear him down enough to actually get it done, but gosh, Cam did a lovely job! And I totally agree…eating together at the table is a special & important part of the day. D and I didn't do this much in Germany (we mastered the couch eating, too!), but since moving to Florida and having a table in our family room, dinners have been so much more intimate. Heart of the home for sure! ๐Ÿ™‚

    • Amanda Marshall says

      Ooh if he does, I want to see photos! Hope you're loving FL – it looks like you two are! So happy for you that you were able to find and buy such a beautiful house!

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