I've revised the menu significantly but need to keep the lamb chops. Here's the new menu followed by the recipe for the mac-n-cheese cups which might make it back into the menu in place of the clams...tho I could use a chicken item. Passed food Mini sausage quiche Pigs-in-blankets Baby lamb chops Scallops wrapped in bacon Clams Casino (I am still on the fence about these, but might make them a stationary item) Birds nest Fontina, arugula, and carmelized onion quesadilla wedges Mini Knishes Stationary Lionshead meatballs Shrimp cocktail Crudite with Caesar dip (one in the dining room and smaller trays in the other rooms) Sushi tray (still on the fence about this too) Cheese platter Hot dip in a chafing dish This will come out around 2 hours into the party: Cheese tortellini with Vodka sauce Green chopped salad Breads Mini Mac and Cheese Bites Source: My Italian Grandmother Ingredients: 1/2 lb elbow macaroni 1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 3/4 cup milk 4 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded (1 packed cup) 4 ounces deli-sliced American cheese, chopped 1 large egg yolk 1/4 teaspoon smoked Spanish paprika (I used regular) Salt and pepper Directions: Preheat oven to 425. In a large saucepan of boiling salted water, cook the macaroni until al dente. Drain and run under cold water to stop the cooking process and to keep the macaroni from sticking to itself. Spray two 12 cup muffin tins with Pam and sprinkle half the Parmigiano cheese into the bottom of the cups. (Can also use mini muffin tins) In a large saucepan, melt the butter, then over medium heat, whisk in the flour. Cook for two minutes until boiling. Whisk in the milk and continue whisking until boiling, about 5 minutes. It should be nice and thick. Stir in the American and cheddar cheeses until melted. Off the heat, stir in the egg yolk and paprika. Fold in the macaroni. This is also a good time to taste and season accordingly. I like to add salt and a lot of pepper during this step. Spoon evenly into the muffin cups and sprinkle with remaining Parmigiano cheese. (I have decided to skip this step and put all the Parmigiano cheese into the bottom of the tins, I think it makes the bites a little too crunchy to have this extra cheese on top, but that's just our preference). Bake in the upper part of the oven for about ten minutes. Let cool for about 5 minutes so they don't fall apart. Use a spoon to remove them from the muffin tins.

Sicily is wonderful because not only are there beautiful ruins, great architecture, the volcano and beautiful beaches, the food is fantastic. Some of the best loved Italian dishes are actually Sicilian. There is quite a bit of stunted development due to the long-standing history of poverty, but tourism is a major growth engine for them. I've been five or six times, and Palermo (to Trapani and further south to Agrigento) side is my favorite, I think, although the next trip will bring in Siracusa and Ragusa (or perhaps a trip back to head out to Lampedusa). Driving is super easy, with the exception of Catania. Like Greece, it's so affordable once you are staying there. We may yet buy a place there. @eld6161 -- I would definitely plan on staying a few days in Athens, at the very least, to see the major sites, at the front end or the back end. We've been 3 or 4 times to Greece, and the rest of the mainland often gets overlooked. The choice of islands really is up to you -- getting between them on ferries can be pretty convenient, and the character does change slightly depending on the mix of tourisms, the historical significance, and geography -- I love Santorini (stay in Oia) but it is pretty touristy and there is lots to see and do, and better remote beaches can be found on other islands.

We did something similar for my dad's 75th birthday-- everyone provided 5-6 memories/stories of what they'd learned from my dad. Some were funny, some were family jokes, some were touching, some were practical. it was and is a much treasured gift. One of my sisters got a book at michaels to which she affixed printed out versions, photos etc. I admit, it was not what I'd have done and it wasn't the most professional -- but she took ownership and I didn't want to upset her. In the end, it didn't matter. It didn't take away from it being very special. I still read through it-- it makes me laugh and cry!

My SIL called this morning and described a 'drive-up' birthday she had gone to last Friday. About nine social distancing cars pulled up to the birthday boy's house (he was 80 Friday), parked, honked. (afternoon, not evening). They took turns getting out and tying balloons, leaving cards at the driveway mailbox. Then, keeping far enough apart, they sang happy birthday and waved, clapped for him on his porch. And left again, she said the whole exercise took about 12 minutes. Arranged by his wife.