They belonged to what was called "Gourmet Club". Each month they would have a theme dinner and the hosts for that month would pick a menu and assign dishes to each couple.

We did this in Romania. It was really good, and I still use a lot of the recipes...but the "chocolate" theme dinner put me off chocolate for quite a while.

I need to figure out what to serve at the Halloween party. Mal's nanny has offered spring rolls, so that's good. I basically need enough finger food to make up dinner. And no canned cheese. I can't stomach any more canned cheese.

DH would never go for this, but I have always wanted a house near a librul or performing arts college campus, have open door three or four evenings a week, with a pot of chili or soup on the stove, tea, coffee, cider, cocoa available, and lots of places to sit and move around. Maybe a fireplace or two.

I don't want to "preside," but I'd love for there to be spontaneous discussions, even spirited, mostly good-natured arguments, a stream of folk, regulars and newbies, and groups that clump and reform as conversations ebb and flow. A coffee can for donations by the door. Does that sound entirely too pie-eyed for words?

I'd have to leave him for this to happen, though. He's a hermit, entrenched and practicing.

Does that sound entirely too pie-eyed for words?

That was the house I grew up in. It was wonderful. I would love to re-create that (DH calls it part of my "caring-nuturer" side), but yeah, not while married to Hermit Crab Man.

Suzi, are you still working on an assignment about funding sports but not arts in school?

That class is over. I got an A...but cool link. Thanks for thinking of me.

Parties. I like attending. I like helping. I'm a wreak when I put one together. Y'all are goinna here ALL kinds of fussing from me between now and November 4th - the date of the surprise party I'm trying to pull off for my mom.

I have laid the groundwork a bit - I told her today that a buffista is planning on coming to town in the next month or so and that we are going to do a get together at our house when she is here. This is my "reason" for getting the house extra spiffy and having extra food and such around. Before I tell her which date, I'm going to have one of her friends set-up a lunch date with her for that day.

Suzi, are we going to see you for shopping?

I don't think so - I need to clean house and do homework. I'm kinda enjoying going about it all slowly. I haven't had that luxury in a while.

I don't want to "preside," but I'd love for there to be spontaneous discussions, even spirited, mostly good-natured arguments, a stream of folk, regulars and newbies, and groups that clump and reform as conversations ebb and flow. A coffee can for donations by the door. Does that sound entirely too pie-eyed for words?

Heh. If you went with me to the Zam Zam you'd get that three times out of four.

Sounds fun. Really. Mom's also a really shy homebody so I don't get to do it either.

I like haveing people over for dinner. However - there has to be a wrestling match over who gets to cook. Most of the tiem Matt wins. which is my friends think I can't cook.

I don't want to "preside," but I'd love for there to be spontaneous discussions, even spirited, mostly good-natured arguments, a stream of folk, regulars and newbies, and groups that clump and reform as conversations ebb and flow. A coffee can for donations by the door. Does that sound entirely too pie-eyed for words?

This sounds absolutely wonderful.