Sunday afternoon used to be my favorite time of the week. When I was a kid, Sunday afternoon was time for the best meal of the week. Not only was that the day we sat in the dining room and ate off the good plates, it was also the meal that Mom, Nana, Grandma or Aunt Carole (or a cooperative effort by all of them) put out the best food they could make. The cuisine was always plentiful, flavorful and nap-inducing.

Unfortunately, these days we only have those meals on special occasions, and sometimes not even then. Today we rush around our world in a blur, and don’t slow down long enough to enjoy a tradition like “Sunday” dinner. Whether it is the proliferation of convenient, affordable family dining at restaurants, or the fact that we just do not have time to prepare a meal like that anymore, those family meals are becoming an endangered species.

While I certainly miss the food (and Nana’s cooking was of legendary quality), I think what I miss the most was the time with my family. There really is no substitute for breaking bread with people you love, telling stories, laughing and generally sharing in each others lives. Don’t get me wrong, more than one heated discussion has started at the Grace family table, so it isn’t always ideal. As a matter of fact, one of our family mottoes is, “A holiday isn’t over until someone cries.” However, some of the best memories I have are of the time I have spent around the dinning room table with family or friends.

So freshen up your life by bringing back a tradition. You don’t have to wait for the next holiday or even the next Sunday. Go ahead and plan a time to spend with good friends, family and food. Then all you have to do is head to the nearest farmer’s market to pick up the freshest ingredients for your menu (you didn’t think I would forget the shameless plug, did you?).

Have a “Sunday” dinner real soon, you won’t regret it.

Anderson County Farmer’s Market

409 N. Murray Ave. Anderson

Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m; Saturdays 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Pendleton Farmer’s Market

Village Green, Pendleton

Hours: Thursdays 4 to 7 p.m.; Saturdays 8 a.m. to noon

Belton Farmer’s Market

N. Main and Blake Street, Belton

Hours: Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays 6 a.m. to sellout