Sunday Supper: A Meal with Intention
Sunday Supper is a practice we’ve recently incorporated into our weeks, and it’s been a quiet revelation. Sometimes it’s just the four of us around the table, enjoying something simple. Other times, we invite friends for a casual meal, and occasionally, we go all in for the full effect. That’s the beauty of it—there’s no one “right” way to do it. Even the simplest version still carries the gift of togetherness.
Even our kids have noticed. They sometimes join me in the kitchen, helping with prep or tasting along the way. I expected to have to drag them into this, but they have both commented about their anticipation for Sunday! Sunday Supper is a small weekly gesture, but it brings a lot of joy and connection for all of us.
Most of the time, I cook what inspires me—maybe something someone in the family has been craving, like enchiladas, a really great salad, or a new one-pot meal I found on Pinterest. Dessert is always included, because it seals in that “Sunday Supper” feeling and makes the meal feel truly special.
This particular Sunday Supper, though, felt different. Hosting can also be a way to express love and gratitude, and we had the perfect reason to do just that. We invited Rebecka and her family, including her parents, to thank them for all their help during our recent move. Because it was meant as a gift of thanks, I leaned in with a little extra thought and effort. The result was approachable yet layered with warmth, appreciation, and intention—which made it all the more memorable.
Setting the Tone
We’re in a transition season right now, living in a sweet little condo, which means some spaces work double-time. My “office” is actually a dining table, so for Sunday Supper, we simply converted it back to what it was meant to be. I keep a dining bench behind my desk and the dining chairs as decor in the living room or as desk chairs for the girls’ bedroom desk until we need them to serve as dining chairs. There’s something I love about the flexibility of that—it feels like a small reminder that our spaces are meant to serve us, not the other way around.
As much as I adore setting a table with china, I’ve also learned there’s nothing worse than hours of dishes—especially in a small kitchen! Rebecka went on the hunt for tossable table settings at HomeGoods and hit the jackpot. The result was simple, charming, and stress-free—proof that beauty doesn’t always have to be complicated. (We recently Sourced these disposable plates, utensils, and glasses for our Midland Legacy project)
Creating atmosphere is just as important as the food. I always have a French cooking playlist playing softly and a favorite low-toxic candle lit—the one splurge I never regret because it makes the space feel instantly welcoming. When guests arrive, I like to have an appetizer and drinks ready so the evening begins with ease.
Hosting has become a family affair. Giving everyone a small role—pouring drinks, setting the table, lighting candles, or answering the door—makes Sunday Supper a shared joy rather than a chore.
Tip: Small touches, like a candle, music, or assigning mini-tasks to family, make hosting feel effortless and inviting.
1. Water Pitcher 2. Vintage Disposable Silverware 3. Low-Toxic Candle 4. Elevated Gold Silverware 5. Disposable Bowls 6. Woodgrain Disposable Silverware 7. Plastic Drinking Cups 8. Disposable Plates 9. White and Gold Utensils 10. Pie Plates 11. Serving Platter 12. Elevated Dinner Napkins 13. Dining Chairs 14. Dining Bench
The Menu
For this Sunday Supper, every dish was chosen because it could be prepped ahead. This allowed me to be fully present at the table instead of tucked away in the kitchen. I also aimed for a balance between seasonal, unique recipes and comforting favorites that instantly make everyone feel at home.
One of my favorite hosting tricks is making the same dish in two ways to accommodate different dietary needs. For this meal, the main course was pot pie—one salmon, one chicken. This keeps the menu cohesive while ensuring everyone feels cared for. I use this approach often with enchiladas, chilis, and lasagnas.
Tip: Choose dishes that can be made ahead or doubled easily—this keeps hosting stress-free and inclusive.
Appetizer: Rainbow Crudités with Pink Goat Cheese
A colorful, joyful start to the meal that looked as festive as it tasted. Mixing beet juice into the goat cheese and a few little touches made it feel special. I would have loved to add edible flowers had they been in stock—this is one of those recipes that works for any gathering, with kids and adults alike.
Soup: Butternut Squash & Apple Soup (Protein Boost)
Warm, seasonal, and nourishing—made extra creamy with a touch of coconut milk and finished with toppings like pumpkin seeds or thyme. This is my personal recipe that has evolved over the years, adapted from a handful of favorites. It’s always the #1 recipe everyone asks me for (next to my chili recipes).
Servings: ~6
Prep + Cook Time: ~1 hour
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Place squash halves cut-side up on a baking sheet, drizzle with oil, and season with salt & pepper. Roast 45–55 minutes until tender.
While the squash roasts, sauté onion, garlic, and carrots in butter/oil in a large pot until softened (~5–7 min).
Add chopped apples; cook 2–3 min more.
Scoop roasted squash flesh into the pot, pour in broth, and stir in cinnamon. Bring to a boil, then simmer 10–15 minutes.
Remove from heat; stir in coconut milk. Blend until smooth using an immersion blender or regular blender in batches. Adjust thickness with more broth if needed.
Taste and season as desired. Serve with a dollop of Greek yogurt and a sprinkle of pumpkin seeds or thyme if using.
Ingredients:
3 lb butternut squash, halved, seeds removed
1–2 apples, peeled, cored, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
3 carrots, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
2½–3 cups vegetable or chicken broth
½ cup coconut milk (or preferred milk/cream)
1 tbsp butter or oil
¼ tsp cinnamon
Salt & pepper to taste
Garnish: Greek yogurt, pumpkin seeds, or fresh thyme (optional)
Main Course: Creamy Salmon Pot Pies
Comforting and hearty, made with veggie broth for both salmon and chicken versions. I used this crust recipe and kept it as a top crust only so the veggie flavor shone through and the meal stayed lighter.
Dessert: Homemade Ice Cream
Sometimes the simplest ending is the best—sweet, creamy, and universally loved. I served it alongside a protein brownie (still hunting for my favorite recipe!), because dessert always makes the meal feel special.
Tip: Pair comfort food with a seasonal or colorful dish for balance—your table will feel both thoughtful and fun.
A Note of Gratitude
Even in a temporary space, systems matter—and our Graceful Spaces team made that possible. In less than two weeks, they helped us move in, organize, and set up our condo so we could truly start living without the chaos that often comes with a transition. Being a client is always a joy, but this time I was especially grateful—and impressed—not just by the team’s skill, but by their heart for service.
If you’re curious about how the Graceful Spaces team can transform your home—temporary or permanent—I invite you to learn more about our services.
Reflection
This Sunday Supper was memorable not just for the food, but for the intention behind it. Prepping ahead, creating atmosphere, and inviting my family to help made hosting feel joyful instead of stressful.
It reminded me that hospitality doesn’t need to be perfect to be meaningful. Even the simplest meal, served with thought and care, leaves a lasting impression. Sunday Supper is more than food—it’s a pause in the week, a way to connect, celebrate, and show the people we love that they are seen and appreciated.
xo,
Christina
P.S. I’ll include a few affiliate links for the items I use and love — but my hope is that the real inspiration comes from the activity itself: showing up with intention, embracing beauty in the everyday, and weaving joy into even the simplest routines.