Family Home Evening

Last night I hosted my first family home evening. As I mentioned in an earlier blog Much of my dining habits (and money spending habits in general) have to do with doing things one has to pay for simply to socialize with friends. I love socializing with my friends but now that I have resolved not to go to bars or dine out during lent, Mohammed can no longer come to the mountain so instead mohammed brought the mountain to his living room.

This idea came to me a few weeks ago while engaging in Catherine and mine's usual mid-week ritual of cheap drafts and pizza at The Atomic Cowboy on Colfax. We usually go there somewhere in the middle of the week and catch up while eating gigantic slices of NY style pizza and $2.00 PBR's all while playing one of their many board games (Ususally connect four, but lately i have been on a big SORRY kick.... no idea why). as a nigh out goes it's pretty sheap we usually get out of there for around $10-12 per person. I love going there to catch up with friends... but I could just as easily do the exact same thing at home, for less money, and still have just as much fun. Again, why do I feel the need to spend money, just to spend time with people? especially when it's something i could do at home? Not that going out is bad, just that that's about the only time i see people. and when that's the only time you see your friends.... it's like paying to have friends, or having to pay to spend time with them. I AM morally opposed to this idea. so FHE is an intentional effort to offset this trend in my life.

My lenten promise is not simply about food..... but also focusing on my relationships with the people around me.... and this is one way in which I am doing that. I use going out as a crutch for seeing those who are important to me far too often, I would like to fix that.

Family Home Evening or FHE: Is an "ancient" Mormon ritual (often practiced on a Monday night) where the whole family stays home and intentionally spends time doing something together as a family (often a boardgame). Examples of FHE are depicted in the last two (hilarious) pictures above. As cliche as I find certain things about FHE, I THINK THIS IS A GREAT IDEA!!!

When I first mentioned this family home evening idea to my friends, I got a lot of positive feedback, people were really receptive to the idea. I mean, who wouldn't like a cheap night at home with your friends drinking micro brews and playing the Wii or a vintage board or video game, it's a recipe for fun! However having not totally planned ahead, notice was pontificated on fat tuesday, and then actually sent out this friday. With the short notice, Catherine was the only one other than Maria and myself who could make it this week, but excitement was in the air.

We started with a rousing game of "Clue" followed by a round of the ever delicious "Milk Stout" from the Lefthand Brewery. I remember that game being a lot easier when I was a child, it took me a while to re-grasp the concept, but I rather enjoyed it and look forward to it again.

For our next game Catherine felt the need to pull out this rather frustrating one called Phase 10. It's a card game and I highly recommend it. It was frustrating playing it at first (especially with two well seasoned and uber competitive veterans), But I got the hang of it soon enough and the game heated up. ... let me take this moment to say Catherine and Maria are two of the most competitive board game players I have ever met, they put a lot of effort into strategizing...and then later even more into gloating.

I home cooked stew for the occasion, it was alright for my first try, but it wasn't about the food, it was about the fun. I enjoyed Family Home Evening, and look forward to having one again soon.