Angela has asked for a flash of the dining room this week, so here's mine. We only really use it when there are more than just the four of us. Usually when it's just family, we tend to eat in the kitchen. I find that so much easier with the kids who always want a bit more of something or another drink or have a spill so I am up and down like a yo-yo. 
It does make it a bit more special for everyone when we do eat in the dining room though. Mark in particular loves the whole candles, good glasses (not plastic) and table laying ritual.
Do you want to know a guilty secret now? I LOATHE eating with my children. I force myself to do it because I know it's good for them to see adults modelling table manners, eating different foods and making conversation. But really, in practice, what they see is me jumping up and down from the table, stretching over everyone to cut up their food and fielding bizarre questions like 'Mummy, how do the chickens make drumsticks? Is it like laying an egg?'. 
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15 August 2006
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Those are very good questions.
I'm not a fan of all the, "Sit down!" "If you're talking that much, you need another bite!" and "Stop fighting with your brother!"
Posted by: capello | 15 August 2006 at 23:10
Your house has such light and space, it's beautiful.
Posted by: Megan | 15 August 2006 at 23:29
Lovely room and I can see we aren't the only ones using our fires in August!!Our dining room is the playroom so we always eat in the kitchen.I so understand the eating with kids thing.I like to have a little peace to taste and digest my food!
Posted by: Kristy | 16 August 2006 at 00:00
Very pretty! Love the windows, the light, the floors, the fireplace. It's so big looking. I like it very much.
We never eat in our dining room any more....
Those were funny questions. 8-P
Posted by: Angela | 16 August 2006 at 00:47
Ali - Thanks for the honesty. I really, really hate eating with Bea too. I can SOOO see how women develop unhealthy eating habits. I always think that eating a meal without having to help her eat a meal at the same time is as good as a vacation.
Nice room. We are dining room-less.
Posted by: Amy | 16 August 2006 at 01:22
Ooooooo, I love your dining room, how LOVEly!
Posted by: krista | 16 August 2006 at 02:59
Very pretty room!
I sort of agree with the dislike of eating with kids. I guess we'll get a hot meal in year 2024.
Posted by: Alicia A. | 16 August 2006 at 04:54
a beautiful dining room - open space but sitll warm and friendly!
lovely!
Posted by: AnastasiaC | 16 August 2006 at 06:21
Ali, that is such a beautiful room (and SOOOO tidy!). I used to hate eating with my kids when they were tiny too. Little guys eating with their mouths open *gag* and snoogy noses *retch* and spitting it out and then *gag* eating it again all make me feel sick. I was fine when they hit 3 or 4 and had been indoctrinated. Now, as teenagers, they hate open-mouthed eating, etc! Ah, I love being the Queen :)
Posted by: kirsty | 16 August 2006 at 07:29
Lovely room!
I keep hoping that sometime it's going to get easier eating with the kids, but Seb is 6 now and it's still awful. He can eat nicely but the whining. oh my god. 'I don't like it', 'what's this', 'I'm not eating that!'.
And then the trade-offs - 'if you eat that you can have dessert', 'there, did you die from eating that? no, well, have another bite.'
I can feel my stomach clenching up as I write this. Mealtimes are a terrible stressor for me. Maybe when they're teenagers it gets better?
Posted by: Ash | 16 August 2006 at 09:13
What a funny post! I can totally relate to the yo-yo thing...and mealtimes for me are stressful too. It's hard for me not to have hurt feelings when the kids don't like the food I make.
Your dining room is absolutely beautiful. And the fireplace is gorgeous.
Posted by: jojo* | 16 August 2006 at 16:08
Your home is beautiful! My dining room is more for crafts than dining, so I love a pretty dining room.
Now that my kids are older I don't mind so much eating with them...when they eat!! It's always a fight to get Ellie (3) to eat. I pine for the days of peaceful meals!
Posted by: Laurie | 16 August 2006 at 16:29
okay, your home is beautiful! I'm going to look for something like this next week in Portland!
How inspiring!
Posted by: Snowbear | 17 August 2006 at 00:47
So, um....what are your partners doing while you jump up and down through each meal?
BTW, really like your dining room, so much light!
Posted by: Anonymous | 17 August 2006 at 04:04
Ali, I think you have a great style to your home. The living room was so pretty and look at your dining room! I love all the wood, the simplicity (white chairs) and the splashes of color (red rug). Please keep flashin' those rooms. :o)
Posted by: lindiepindie | 17 August 2006 at 21:24
so true. I hate meal times too. We never have a conversation in full, and when you have to get up to take them to the potty! AGGGHHH
Posted by: tiel S-K | 29 August 2006 at 23:11
so true. I hate meal times too. We never have a conversation in full, and when you have to get up to take them to the potty! AGGGHHH
Posted by: tiel S-K | 29 August 2006 at 23:12