Appetizers

“I wasn’t planning on entertaining anyone that sunny Saturday, but then my old college buddy called last minute, saying he and a couple of friends … Read more

“I wasn’t planning on hosting that summer barbecue,” I remember saying to myself as I glanced at the clock. It was a hot Thursday afternoon, … Read more

“You won’t believe what I found tucked inside a kid’s birthday party favor bag last Saturday,” my friend Lily said, waving a tiny skewer with … Read more

“You know that moment when you’re hosting an impromptu get-together, and suddenly realize you forgot the dip?” That was me last Saturday evening, standing in … Read more

“You have to try this,” my neighbor Carlos said one Saturday afternoon, holding up a rustic wooden board piled high with what looked like the … Read more

“You won’t believe how simple this is,” my neighbor Jake said, holding up a basket of golden-brown chicken nuggets. I’d just popped in for a … Read more

“You gotta try this,” my neighbor Mark said one sweltering July afternoon as he slid a plate across the fence. I was halfway through lugging … Read more

“I swear, it was the strangest thing,” my coworker Lisa said one Thursday afternoon, sliding a neatly wrapped bundle across the break room table. “I … Read more

“You won’t believe how simple this was,” my friend Lisa said, sliding the platter across the picnic blanket. It was the 4th of July, and … Read more

Introduction “I wasn’t even planning a party that day,” I admit, chuckling as I remember the chaos. It was a rainy Saturday afternoon, and my … Read more