topic Re: Big Blue Table Forum Style in BB Social Zone

Big Blue Table Forum Style

Summer Rose — Sun, 02 Oct 2022 06:14:26 GMT

I want to invite you all to lunch.

Some of you may know that Beyondblue recently launched a new fundraising event called the Big Blue Table, which runs during Mental Health Month (October). The idea is for people to invite guests to share a meal and start a conversation about mental health.

Some of us may want to participate, but be unable to due to a range of issues, such as poor health, financial pressure, homeless or social isolation. So, I thought we could honour the sentiment here but keep the conversation light in keeping with this thread.

So, how about you all bring a dish and if you want tell us why you chose it. And share the name of a famous person (living or deceased) and why, you’d like to invite them to our lunch.

I’m making a big tray of lasagna because it’s one of my mother’s most loved recipes. Everyone loved it so much that she was very cheeky and never shared it when asked! She did, however, give it to me when I got married.

And I’m inviting Olivia Newton John because I adored her talent, am grateful for her philanthropy and just miss her.

Your turn …

Re: Big Blue Table Forum Style

Willow Jude — Sun, 02 Oct 2022 09:46:12 GMT

Thanks Summer Rose, this is a great idea!

I’m would bring brownies, because I enjoy baking and always get compliments on my brownies.

I would invite Bill Hader, because he’s one of my favourite celebrities and has shared some great insights into his own struggles with mental illness.

Re: Big Blue Table Forum Style

quirkywords — Sun, 02 Oct 2022 10:29:31 GMT

What a great idea summer rose.

Summer rose,

I would bring a fresh fruit platter with grapes, mango, strawberries, watermelon.
there are so many people I would want to invite as I love reading biographies and memoirs.
Only chosing one person is hard . Sister Brigid Arthur is in her late 80s and has spent her whole life helping others. Now she is helping refugees .

Re: Big Blue Table Forum Style

Summer Rose — Sun, 02 Oct 2022 10:39:40 GMT

Hi Willow Jude

Thank you so much for coming to lunch.

Yum … I love brownies! And we’re on the same page with Bill Hader, too.
I didn’t know about his mental health struggles though. I admire him speaking out, really helps to break down stigma. I love Howie Mandel for talking about OCD and doing what he can to raise awareness of this very misunderstood illness.

Kind thoughts you

Re: Big Blue Table Forum Style

Summer Rose — Sun, 02 Oct 2022 10:44:38 GMT

Hi Quirkywords

Welcome to the big blue table!

Love that you’re inviting Sister Brigid Arthur. Imagine what an honour it would be to spend time with her. What we all could learn about selflessness and kindness.

Fruit platter sound amazing. It will make a wonderful desert!

Kind thoughts to you

Re: Big Blue Table Forum Style

sbella02 — Sun, 02 Oct 2022 12:39:45 GMT

LOVE this thread, thank you Summer Rose.

I'm bringing macarons, I memorised the recipe when I was 11 and they're always a joy to make/eat. I have gluten free/lactose free/vegan options for those with dietary requirements 🙂

I would love to invite Nathalie Kelley, who is an Australian actress. I love everything she stands for - she's an advocate for human rights first and foremost, and she shares the importance of living simply, connecting with your culture/land, and expressing gratitude.

Re: Big Blue Table Forum Style

geoff — Sun, 02 Oct 2022 13:30:15 GMT

Hello Summer Rose, well done for this thread.

I'd like to bring a 'cauliflower cheese', a favourite my dear Mum loved to cook which I often cooked for my family, and she's definitely a person I only wish I could bring alone with me.

Geoff.

Life Member.

Re: Big Blue Table Forum Style

Summer Rose — Sun, 02 Oct 2022 20:42:44 GMT

Welcome to the big blue table, sbella02!

Kudos to you for memorising a recipe! At my age I can’t remember what I had for breakfast yesterday!

Macrons are a favourite at any event, thank you. And it’s so thoughtful of you think of people with dietary requirements!

Full disclosure: I had to Google Nathalie, turns out I knew her face not her name. Of course, that doesn’t matter—you are both honoured guests.

Kind thoughts to you

Re: Big Blue Table Forum Style

Summer Rose — Sun, 02 Oct 2022 21:57:01 GMT

Hi Geoff

I am so glad you and your mum are joining us! Cauliflower and cheese sounds awesome.

I think it’s so interesting how recipes are handed down through families. There’s just something so comforting and special about cooking something mum used to make. And you know it will turn out and be delicious!

When I make mum’s lasagna it’s like she’s in the kitchen with me and I can literally hear her telling me what to do and how to do it. She’s been gone over two years now, but food and cooking are a way to keep her close.

Kind thoughts to you

Re: Big Blue Table Forum Style

ecomama — Sun, 02 Oct 2022 22:11:11 GMT

Awww LOVE THIS THREAD TOO Summer Rose!
What a beautiful idea.

I'm sure we can come to lunch every day and bring a different person each time?
I can see our wonderful BB Members have many idols.

I've brought a Thai salad with papaya to honour my birth place.
AND my Nana whom I miss more than anything. Her infectious laughter! Her air of FUN, warmth, love.
When I arrived in Australia and couldn't eat the Western food lol.... my Nana searched and searched for foods she could GROW in her garden to feed me!
She grew Papaya and lemon grass, travelled to the city for decades to purchase bulk food at the Asian grocery stores... the LOVE when she prepared that food for me. The RELIEF to eat it!! hahaha...

Geoff! I KNEW you'd bring your mum!! I can't wait to meet her. The GRATITUDE I have for your mum Geoff, raising such a brilliant man. Thanks mum!

Will Google all the other wonderful people coming to lunch!

Love EMxxxx

Re: Big Blue Table Forum Style

Summer Rose — Mon, 03 Oct 2022 05:16:36 GMT

Hi EM

Your Grandma sounds like an amazing woman and she surely loved you. A love like that is hard to part with—hugs to you.

Thai salad sounds great! I can’t wait to try it!

Any you and everyone else can come to lunch as often as you like! Perhaps we can all share the highlight of our day?

For me it was walking out into the beautiful sunshine yet cool air of today, which always renews my sense of hope. Life is a cycle and the spring is always something to look forward to.

Kind thoughts to you

Re: Big Blue Table Forum Style

mmMekitty — Thu, 06 Oct 2022 12:46:32 GMT

Hi Summer Rose,

I've been thinking about who actually 'inspires' me, & I'm not sure anyone does. I know there are people I admire & I think I'd have a lot of time for as well. Lots of people on BB fit that description, & I am hoping they all find their way to this Big Blue Table. Some are here already, 😺I'm glad to see. The journeys we have all travelled come as close to inspiring me more than anything else I can think of. Tough challenges faced, great efforts made to overcome great difficulties. Here the sense of being together is what helps the most.

& I'm bringing a Multi-Mega-Mountain Salad, with enough for everyone to take some home as well. I can mix mixes to order, so no-on has to pick out any bits they don't like. I like mayo, but for this occasion, I am prepared to bring other dressing choices as well.

😺

mmMekitty

Re: Big Blue Table Forum Style

geoff — Thu, 06 Oct 2022 13:13:24 GMT

Dear Summer Rose and EM , thank you for your lovely thoughts and yes even being 68 isn't it funny I still miss her deeply. x

Re: Big Blue Table Forum Style

Summer Rose — Thu, 06 Oct 2022 20:28:00 GMT

Hi mmMekitty

I am so happy that you are joining us here. I have seen many of your fabulous posts and love your heart, nice to officially meet you!

You make a great point about being inspired by members of our community. We are a family of everyday heros, and I am constantly amazed by the strength, compassion and courage found on forum pages. And everyone is welcome at our Big Blue Table!

That’s the other thing I love about this place. No judgment, no exclusion. Reading other people’s stories and offering support helps to keep me going. I feel less alone with my battles.

Your salad sounds like a lot of work but I know it will be delicious! Thank you.

Kind thoughts to you

Re: Big Blue Table Forum Style

Summer Rose — Fri, 07 Oct 2022 00:45:06 GMT

Hi Geoff

I totally understand your lingering sense of loss. I lost my dad about 40 years ago and I still miss him and think about him today. And now mum is gone too.

But in my belief system he and mum are now reunited—so there’s my silver lining. Took me a long time to see it though.

I feel so lucky to have a phone full of mum videos and photos. It’s such a blessing to hear her voice. But I treasure my yellowing frayed photos of Dad, too. Do you have photos and keepsakes you treasure?

Do you want to share anything about your mum? What would she wear to our lunch? What would she want to talk about? Would she make us laugh?

No pressure to answer any of these questions. Just interested in you and your life.

Kind thoughts to you

Re: Big Blue Table Forum Style

geoff — Fri, 07 Oct 2022 15:36:59 GMT

Hello Summer Rose, aren't you a sweetie.

I, unfortunately was one person who didn't have a camera and relied on my brothers/sister to take the photos, so I don't have any photos of Mum, except for what was given to me, that's what I now regret.

I remember Mum used to have her hair done every Saturday morning, she loved it, speaking with the same girls every time, a glass or two of champagne and would come home with her nails done and with all different types of decorations on them.

That night after going out she would wrap her hair up with toilet paper to preserve the shape.

She always loved us having our friends around as did Dad, who was always a good father until Mum was put in a nursing home, then he was controlled by someone else, which was so sad, as he told us the best time to ring him was when he was at work and could talk freely.

My best to you.

Geoff.

Life Member.

Re: Big Blue Table Forum Style

Summer Rose — Sat, 08 Oct 2022 01:38:44 GMT

Hi Geoff

You have made my day by painting such an eloquent and beautiful picture of your mum. I see a fun-loving, gregarious woman who always presented as a fine lady—with a bit of zing about her. Love that she had fun with her nails!

I’m sorry you don’t have many photos of your mum, but I guess that makes the ones you were given real treasures.

I hope her final days in the nursing home were peaceful. My mum spent that last year of her life in a nursing home but never really adjusted. It was a very challenging time, as she was also terribly sick with cancer.

Sounds like your dad’s distance added a lot of distress to your life. I’m so sorry. I really hope the time you had with your mum was good.

Kind thoughts to you