Visiting

I'll admit it. I like dinner parties. I really like them when I'm attending them and it's someone else's job to make my evening relaxing and comfortable.
I say that because my friend gave a dinner party recently. It was attended by a good company of people, many of our mutual friends including some I didn't know. There was also great food - warm, mulled sangria. Roasted Garlic Shrimp. Swiss Raclette (Cheese melted in a special broiler, and then scraped over fingerling potatoes), Antipasto with lots of greens, assorted cheeses, hard salami, priosciutto, peppers, onions). Warm spinach and artichoke dip. Swiss Meatballs. Bacon wrapped steak, chicken and shrimp. Creme Brulee Tarts. Espresso.
Within all the hustle of Christmas preparations, it's very nice to spend an evening with people waiting on you hand and foot. Even more important, it's nice to reconnect with people you might have lost touch with during the year.
I think "Visiting" is an art. It keeps you sane.

--Laura