| My kids are adults, but still my babies.
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| | serve themselves. Birthday cake? Whoever
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| Every year, within a week of each other
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| | eats it anyway? Since the guests of honor
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| they turn another year older. I throw
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| | are adults and so are most of the guests,
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| them a celebration. My husband wishes
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| | I'm buying a gourmet cheesecake that has
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| I'd stop throwing them this ritual
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| | been individually sliced and contains
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| birthday bash-he's never been one for
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| | four different kinds in one box. For
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| hosting parties, not even when they're
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| | those who'd rather, I'll have angelfood
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| family. One of our offspring is married
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| | cake and non-dairy topping available and
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| and a mother herself. Yet here comes
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| | replenish the fruit tray.
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| another one.
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| | You've probably noticed I'm not cooking
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| Through the years I've done more than get
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| | one single dish. The only thing to clean
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| older, I've also become wiser and
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| | will be the coffee pot. My guests will
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| arthritic, so I've changed perspective on
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| | have a good time. I will be able to sit
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| how I throw this bash. In the beginning,
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| | down and enjoy them and the occasion and
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| it wasn't all that populated. The four of
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| | going to work the next day will not be
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| us, my parents and sister, sometimes my
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| | the problem it has in the past.
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| inlaws would attend. Then of course
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| | As for my famous mashed potatoes, well,
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| family members got married, had kids and
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| | I'll continue to save them for my part in
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| our children would ask their closest
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| | the yearly Thanksgiving Potluck. They've
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| friends to join us. I loved it! I'd roast
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| | been published in a major women's
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| a turkey, make my famous mashed potatoes
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| | magazine and in a large daily paper in
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| (recipe to follow), set up a salad bar
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| | Orange County, CA-they are one of my most
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| and make homemade birthday cakes.
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| | requested recipes. I'll share it with you
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| As the crowd grew, the mashed potatoes
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| | now.
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| turned into a baked potato bar (I had a
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| | The best part is they are very low in
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| theme going here with "bars"). I switched
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| | fat! In honor of our daughter (who loves
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| to paper plates. Then when the crowd got
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| | them so much, she had the caterer serve
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| to 15 plus, well, I realized things had
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| | them at her wedding) I've always called
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| to change. Physically, it would take me a
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| | them:
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| week to do the shopping, chopping,
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| | Sarah's favorite mashers:
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| cooking, setting up and cleaning and then
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| | Serves 6-8
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| the "putting everything back". The
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| | 3 lbs, baking potatoes, peeled and
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| following week, I was too exhausted to do
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| | quartered
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| much more than the bare basics.
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| | 1 large head cauliflower, in florets
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| So, I changed. I also found out something
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| | 1/4 C each skim milk and margarine (food
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| wonderful-EVERYONE ENJOYED THEMSELVES
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| | allergies have me using soy milk)kosher
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| MORE!!!
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| | salt
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| This year our menu will be trays of
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| | 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
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| vegetables, fruit, cheeses, meats and
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| | Place potatoes in a large pot, cover with
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| sandwich makings. All courtesy of the
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| | cold water and 1 tablespoon salt. Bring
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| local bulk buying venue. I will also
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| | to a boil and then simmer, uncovered just
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| purchase artisan sandwich rolls and
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| | until fork tender. Drain well and mash (I
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| ciabatta bread. Hummus fixings will not
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| | prefer a ricer). At the same time, in
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| give me a blender to dirty this year! It
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| | another large pot, bring 11/2 cups of
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| will be bought and scooped out into a
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| | water to a boil and add cauliflower.
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| bowl and served along side the trays and
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| | Lower heat and cover, steam for 15
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| chip bowls. I'll also grab a container of
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| | minutes, or until very tender. Drain and
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| gourmet salsa. The drinks will be
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| | place in blender with milk, margarine, 1
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| chilling in a big chest. Later, coffee
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| | teaspoon salt and pepper. Puree until
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| will be set up so everyone can pour and
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| | smooth. Fold into potatoes. Serve.
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