Dinnertime: Weekly Photo Challenge
“The best meals are those prepared by loving hands.”
Ken Poirot
This week’s “dinner” challenge reminded me immediately of the capture above, which I made during a visit to Cambodia several years ago. I was a fair distance from the gathering but was drawn to the obvious affection of the participants. The inclusion of the family’s oxen made the moment just too good to pass up 😄.
“There are times when wisdom cannot be found in the chambers of parliament or the halls of academia but at the unpretentious setting of the kitchen table.”
E.A. Bucchianeri
Cambodia is a very special place, especially in light of their tragic history. One sentence about the reign of Pol Pot in the 1970’s sums it up: ” The combined effects of executions, strenuous working conditions, malnutrition and poor medical care caused the deaths of approximately 25 percent of the Cambodian population.” * 25%! Think about it.
“One should never do anything that one cannot talk about after dinner.”
Oscar Wilde
Despite their history, or perhaps because of it, we found Cambodia to be a warm, gentle, peaceful place where children are treasured and life seems simpler. There are times when simple is simply better.
- Source: wikipedia
Amen to the Ken Poirot quote: “The best meals are those prepared by loving hands.”
Also, the photos show the happiness of being around loving hands ~ wonderful.
Hey Tina – there is a 3-d feel to the images in this post – really cool – especially the 1st and 3rd – like the mat in the first and the red shoes in the third.
also – read the comment about the missing people – need to read up on that – hmmm
have a great day
Love that colorful gathering 🙂
Tina, they look so happy together 🙂 Very nice shots!
Thanks Uday – it was a really nice trip and we fell in love with Cambodia and its people.
Good assortment of “dishes,” Tina! Love it!
Many thanks Svetlana!
Cambodia is a country I would love to visit so I really enjoy seeing it through your camera lens.
It’s well worth a visit Pauline – especially the temples at Angkor Wat. But the people are really something special.
We house sat for a couple who adopted a Cambodian family. They say the same about the people.
great response to WPC-Dinnertime Tina!
Thanks Arv! Appreciate your visit – have a great week
🙂
Beautiful photos, beautiful blog.
Nice and warm, spring greetings.
Spring greetings to you too Marko. thanks for your visit and comment
We don’t realize how good we have it until we see or hear about how others live. Thank you for the reminder Tina – very moving post
You’re right Nora, we don’t recognize it until we’re exposed to others’ pain. Thanks very much.
Very beautiful and touching! Amazing photos! Thank you for adding my words as a caption to one of your photos…it was a pleasant and welcome surprise when I saw it today! 🙂
How terrific that you caught this one Ken. Many thanks for stopping by to comment. Honored to have quoted you 😄
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Fab shots- amazing how long ago that was. What a great time we had!
Thanks Jane – yes ma’am, it’s definitely been a while and we did indeed have a terrific time. But then, when did we NOT have a great time in our many travels??? 😄
So terrible tragic, Tina. Beautiful family photo and I love the quotes as always.
Thanks Sylvia – yes, really so sad. And yet they are such gentle and sweet people. it’s an incredible place.
Tina, what a difficult challenge this week! I love how you managed to rise to it with a shot both familiar and yet unique. I haven’t tried this one yet, trying to figure out how to meet it creatively, without merely showing a plate of food! 🙂
Thanks Grace – this one took a bit of extra creativity, I agree. Some very interesting responses to this week’s challenge!
Wonderful images and interpretation of the theme! I really love the first one and what you’ve written, Tina. Beautiful!
Thanks so much Sandra, glad this one caught your eye.
Ima, crazy about the family meal pic! Also learners permit!
Thanks Miss Linda – I thought that one would appeal to your gentle heart GF!
looks like a very special place….always love seeing the world through your lens….loving learner’s permit…haha…😜
VERY special April, thanks. And appreciate your noticing the title of the photo too 🙂
There’s something very gentle about these shots. Lovely post.
Thanks Jane – yes, I think gentle is just the right word
These are lovely, and as always woven into a beautiful fun filled post with your words Tina😊
Thanks so much Seonaid – good to see you!
stunning images, Tina!
Many thanks Ann. BTW, did you know you don’t have a link to your blog from your name??
Brilliant captures, Tina. Really love the first one, and agree with you about the oxens. They look every part of the family, and it must be a ritual that they are used to. Also, really like the Oscar Wilde quote. Dinner time can be cozy, especially if it’s with the ones we love. It’s a time of the day where we come together for food…and in a way for each other. If we’re the kind who eat dinner alone, it’s often a time of peace and quiet 🙂
Hi Mabel, and thanks very much. Yes, they really seem like they belong, don’t they?! I’m guessing it wasn’t their first time they came to dinner LOL. Liked your thought about peace and quiet and agree wholeheartedly!
I have a a feeling the oxens self-invite themselves over to dinner practically every single day whether the family likes it or not 😀
Great images for this challenge, Tina. I have never been to Cambodia, and doubt I ever will…but I recall talking to a friend who had been, and he said that when he went, it was noticeable that a whole generation was missing……
Hi Sue, yes, he’s right. You could definitely notice the missing persons. Even if you never go, read up on the Pol Pot era – one of the saddest things I’ve ever heard of – and that’s really saying something considering what’s going on in the world today.
Oh, I have read up on it – seriously disturbing,…
You’ve captured the mood here beautifully Tina!
Many thanks Adrian!
Your visit to Cambodia must have been quite an experience, beautifully captured in these images. Love the Oscar Wilde quote. 🙂
It was an amazing experience Andrew – I remember it like it was yesterday! Thanks for stopping by!
Great interpretation. I knew that there were losses in Cambodia, I didn’t realize the magnitude of human life lost!
Nor did I until I read about it on my way there. A horrific time for,them. Thanks for stopping by John.
Thank you for sharing this serene place in spite of all its adversity. Your photo themes like this one make for smiles. around the world.
Thanks very much Dor – they are a very special people in a lovely place.
Wonderful shots Tina, you captured the warmth of the people perfectly.
Many thanks Maverick – it’s such a peaceful place – almost like time is standing still.
Tina, the happiness on the faces of the people in your first shot make it so special and that last one is just right and has a most excellent title. 🙂
janet
Many thanks Janet – glad you enjoyed my titling efforts 🙂
Great post…but your last photo has to be my all time favorite! Love the light on the oxen and the woman’s face!
Thanks so much Diane – a very powerful compliment, much appreciated.
Again, a collection of great pictures.
Thanks Rabirius.
Simple is good.😍
Amen Sharon!
And my husband complains when the cats jump on the table. Imagine if we had oxen! 😀
LOL, I would complain too!!!! Thanks for stopping by Lois!
Beautiful Tina!
Many thanks Nicole!
What a wonderful interpretation of the theme. Loved your photos, words and quotes. Beautiful.
Thanks very much Miriam – so glad you appreciated this one.
Love the smiles you captured on first one.
Beautiful!
HaHa just saw ‘ Learner’s Permit’. Love it!
Thanks Diane – and also for the note on the Learner’s Permit LOL! Never know if people notice those things