I just brought flowers; things were a little different than we planned. We didn't go to his parents house, but to his instead (he lives with his grandmother because she's so old she needs someone to help take care of her) so I didn't bring a hostess gift for his mom. That was fine, they are very casual and laid back people and it would have been awkward had I brought anything more. We arrived together (he drove) and we were the first ones there anyway. They have a lot of animals... his mom brought over one of her many birds and a huge mastiff dog (very sweet, very big), and he has two cats that live there. It was pretty informal, everyone gathered around the grill outside making small talk. I didn't talk much. Maybe I was shy around all the new people. There was a bit of tension because I am the first guy he's ever introduced to the family (he had girlfriends before he came out) and his brother and grandmother didn't know he was gay. The brother does now... he found out Sunday... grandma still doesn't (she's a Jehovah's Witness and he doesn't want her to know, though she'd forget anyway). The best part was listenting to his grandmother... she has dementia and the things that come out of her mouth were very entertaining if not a little sad. He made burgers, hot dogs, italian sausage, and chicken on the grill. He didn't have any cheese for the burgers and didn't have any ketchup (that blew my mind... in my house, it's an emergency if I run out of ketchup... well it's never happend, but it would be... and to not have it with hot dogs and hamburgers, I just couldn't comprehend it). He offered to go to the store for me and get some ketchup (he's not an anti-ketchup snob, he was just out of it). I should have let him go, but then his family would have known what a b*tch I can be and it's too early for all that! The cake and ice cream were the best part, and they both came from Publix. It was a pretty boring and uneventful experience with barely tolerable food... at least nothing bad happened. His mom told him she likes me but that I was very quiet. Next Tuesday, I'm going to have a cookout with my upstairs neighbor. I'm looking forward to much better food than we had Sunday! I'm really enjoying having someone to cook for. Yesterday for lunch, I made BBQ baked chicken quarters, cheddar biscuits and mashed potatoes. Today, I'm doing meatloaf, scalloped potatoes, corn on the cob and maybe steamed peas just to throw a vegetable in. He said his mom wasn't that good of a cook, so I'm glad to give him some nice food and glad he appreciates it. Thanks again for all your advice :o)

Family affair will indulge in the traditional buffet at local upscale buffet: We've been enjoying this for many years. SWEET BEGINNINGS BREAD DISPLAY sticky buns : bear claws : muffins : croissants coffee cake : banana bread MERKâÂÂS BISCUIT BAR sweet potato biscuits : buttermilk biscuits : cheddar-bacon : cranberry scones CHILLED CREATIONS loâ country pickled shrimp : julep cured salmon : smoked local trout artisan & farmstead cheese display : honey roasted almonds : dried fruits cured meats & salamis : pickled vegetables : house mustard individual baby wedge salads spinach pear & cranberry salad smoked chicken waldorf artisan breads : flatbreads : crostini BOUNTIFUL BREAKFAST country sausage : Conecuhî sausage smoked natural bacon country benedicts - fried green tomatoes & country ham roasted yukon potatoes McKewnî stone ground grit bar shrimp : bacon : ham : green onions : cheddar & feta cheese sawmill & me-mawâÂÂs tomato gravy OMELET BAR prepared by Hyatt Regency Culinarians asparagus : smoked salmon : crab : bacon : green onions : goat cheese : cheddar cheese peppers : roasted tomato salsa : grilled mushrooms LUNCHEON ITEMS roast cider brined turkey breast natural pan gravy : cranberry chutney HAND CARVED dry rubbed prime rib of beef au jus : creamy horseradish sauce yukon gold butter whipped potatoes brussels sprouts hash sautéed green beans with shitake cream sweet potato puree with streusel topping honey roasted root vegetables DESSERT STATION pumpkin spiced cake with cream cheese frosting : apple tart with caramel sauce : trifle shooters bourbon pecan pie : white chocolate & dried cherry bread pudding mini pastries : chocolates

This probably will not help as i don't have a favorite or rely on just one type/brand. But if this is a once a year treat like so many things Holiday...you might want to try a variety selection from one of the Artisan on-line places. I've never ordered from artisanal cheese or any of the many as we have a good cheese monger at our local grocery. A few years ago an employee gifted a large selection of cheeses and cured meats. Small slivers from his local monger. That wonderful gift lasted throughout our holiday break. We've continued that tradition once a month or so during the year for an easy weekend meal with fresh bread or my crackers. Fresh fruit, a salad. A lighter goat and/or fresh mozzarella in the warmer months. With garden harvest veg. We let our cheese monger select for us, though keeping in the 3-6 out of ten range, not too mild or too strong. Usually 4 varieties, 1/4lb or less of each. (parm and soft goat cheese i buy at Costco. The goat i roll in fresh herbs or a pepper spice blend). I make my own mozzarella. DH has all the tools to make our own goat cheese this holiday. 2 lbs is a lot of cheese to be disappointed. Have you looked in your own backyard for farms that make their own cheese? Instead of lunch last wednesday i took a walk through UnionSquare greenmarket and sampled lots of locally made cheeses and new-to-me varieties of apples, breads, spreads, salsas, and jams, cider, veggies, even sampled radishes. (lunch!) Beautiful Fall market. Like said, giving Maytag another try might be worth it. Seems a style and tradition you like. Just order early enough to go elsewhere if again disappointed.

Thanks again, all. Yes, if my neighbors baked it would make sense to borrow a cup or so of flour from them, but they're all past that. They're the kind of people who put in cook's kitchens and order out or buy frozen. Really, the only one who bakes at all is a vegan yoga teacher who believes in the evilness of all gluten. :) But I did find a 2 lb bag of Gold Medal, so I'm good. Ricky, those scones sound great and I may tat up a batch for them to munch on on Christmas Eve. Lpink, the peach-raspberry pie sounds wonderful. I'm not opposed to store-bought stuff when it's as good as or better than, but I've always hated frozen pie crust almost as much as I hate frosting-in-a-can. Sherry, thanks for the recipes. That red velvet cake does sound good. I've gotten kind of turned off by the ones that are just radioactively-colored chocolate cake, which is not how I remember red velvet from when I was young. Your pecan pie is exactly how my mom used to make it. FWIW, most stores around here sell styrofoam coolers for not too much $$ - usually near the beer & ice... Yeah, I thought of that, but you pay a big premium when you live at the beach. I'll have to make time to go somewhere inland tomorrow. Gardengal, I think I'll make the pear/cranberry tart and freeze it before I take it over, then bake it Christmas morning while they're still fooling around with assembling the wellington. I can't see any reason why it wouldn't freeze, can you? This forum always comes through!