Oh my gosh - you speak my language of cooking pain! I, too, face many challenges trying to cook meals that my entire family will eat. One child is genuinely picky, one is ornery, and the middle one copies whichever sibling is currently in favor. Oy. I will definitely give these a whirl. Thank you!

Love reading the blog and am looking forward to your book. Thanks to your small batch canning ideas, I’ve put up 28 jars (and counting) of good things to enjoy throughout the year!

As a fellow food prep/cook swearer, I loved this post. LOVED it. Three picky-eaters plus a husband, and I have an idea about where you’re coming from (no allergies, tho, thankfully). Now I’m scanning the weekend fliers for a decent freezer.

I lurked today - what an interesting chat! And so fast, with many tempeh and tofu tidbits flying. I’m off to get the kitchen in order before marinading some tempeh for tonight’s dinner (per T/S comments, yesterday). Kim, I’ll report back to let you know how it goes. Can’t wait!

Oh gosh, SCRAPPLE? Eeek. Maybe it is because I’ve had inferior scrapple product (once), but I cannot leave this page without touting the fabulous pure maple syrups and raw honeys, milks, yogurts, cheeses, bacons, sausages, lamb, poultry and produce of every color, stripe, ripeness and variety to be found in the central mountain region of the state.

This is a beautiful essay. I have my mother’s copies of Julia Child’s books, and hope that I’ll page through them looking for a project soon. Thank you. Best wishes to you for a Happy New Year.

My mom gave me “The Joy of Cooking” when I had my first apartment during college. I wish that I’d kept her copy, with the stains and the dog-eared pages. So many of the tastes from my growing up are in the pages of that book, and I’m slowing rediscovering a few of them. Case in point: last year’s Thanksgiving was at my SIL’s home. The dressing tasted exactly like what my mom used to make and I discovered that it was a “Joy” recipe. Now, the dressing recipe is used in my home! Love it!

My tip is to roll with the punches. Even with all of the advance preparation, requests for RSVPs, setting a time to sit down, there is inevitably going to be something that goes awry, something taking too long to cook, extra guests showing up, etc. And that is okay! It really is! Open another bottle of wine, relax, and make the most of your efforts, family and friends whether they are planned or not.

Fabulous tips here, all of them.

Oooh, and one more: eat dessert twice! Have it the first time with everyone, and a second indulgence once guests have left, all of the dishes are cleaned up and the food is put away and it’s time to put your feet up.