Well, it appears I have a blog over here that I’ve been neglecting. Again. And I’m sure I could come up with some very fabulous reason that I haven’t written more often, what with my unemployment and massive amounts of free time and all, but really it’s just because I’m lazy and have nothing of interest to say. Unless you want to hear about my addiction to the Food Network. That I can talk about for hours.

Speaking of food, I just received my new super wonderful food processor today! It made me incredibly happy. Like WAY more happy than a small kitchen appliance should.  I have at least 10 different recipes marked and ready to try with it. I am really enjoying this cooking binge that I’ve been on lately. Some things have worked out quite nicely (Cheesy Garlic Bread! Yum!), and others have bombed fantastically (a batch of mashed potatoes that were lumpy and bleh). But overall it’s been a success. So successful, in fact, that I’ve been cooking for other people. Yes, you read that right. OTHER PEOPLE. As in people that do not live with me and are not related to me in any way.  My sister and I have a standing weekly(ish) date where we meet for dinner and then play on the Wii. We used to take turns going to each others houses, but since I’ve started cooking, she’s been coming out here every week. The first couple of weeks it was simply a main dish eaten while sitting on the couch. But then she started inviting a friend of hers to join us for dinner, and that is where the OTHER PEOPLE part comes in. With Jen and Donald, I wasn’t as nervous about how things turned out, because I knew both of them would be honest about it if it sucked. There would be no platitudes, and if it was truly horrible, we could just drive over to Jack in the Box or Del Taco and pick something up. But when OP started coming, I had to make sure things were better than just tolerable. And, with the exception of the aforementioned mashed potato fiasco, things haven’t been that bad. Of course, OP is probably just trying not to gag on the food as it’s consumed, but at least it’s being eaten!

I had this brilliant idea the other day that I would invite my mom, dad, and sister to dinner around Christmas. It will be the first time I have:

• Ever had people over for a dinner where we use the dining room table, instead of the couch.
• Ever hosted a holiday at my house (meal aside)
• Ever cooked a full meal (main dish AND side dishes, etc) all by myself.

People, I am terrified. I realize it’s 3 weeks away and I have plenty of time to prepare, but I am already SO nervous about it. I don’t know what to make, or how to make it all be done at the same time. I want to impress my parents with my recently acquired skills, but I’m afraid that my nerves will have me second guessing myself and ruining the food.  Any suggestions on what I should make, (preferably idiot proof items, so I don’t force people to hit up Jack in the Box) or how to get it all done at the same time? Anyone want to come cook it for me?