Ultimately this is to me the new "motherhood" where children are cosseted and protected ("I can't hang a picture on the wall next to the crib because it might fall on the baby" or buy ahouse with a swmming pool cause the child might drown) in ways that are beyond bordering on the absurd. We had a friend who married one of the most fun, charismatic and bright women I have ever met. Then she had a child. She brought the child to our adult only party and was so absorbed in this kid that her entire personality had been erased. It was the most tragic thing for her husband who eventually left her. I am not fond of today's toddlers because they are raised with no manners. You might say that toddlers are too young to have manners, but my children did not bang on furniture, stick their hands into food, or run wild through the rooms. We did not know to childproof and our kids knew to stay out of certain places. We didn't play with them 12 hours a day and they were left to their own devices while chores, personal time and other things were done. That resulted in children who were curious, had an imagination, weren't glued to the TV and knew how to play. And be by themselves and enjoy it. How novel! And the same with my friend's children. This is new phenomenon. We won't invite people with kids any more. The kids are little monsters and I don't need that disruption in my life.

No worries, Bumblebeez! It was a good idea. :) Chase, that does look great! I'm definitely going to try it. It should work well with the kind of strudelly filo we get nowadays. We used to get it fresh, where the ingredients list said "flour, water and skill". The thick stuff they sell now has all kinds of glue in it and is tough! It would definitely hold up to all that parm though. I will be glad to have a dish where I'm not cursing it, since I'm not nearly good enough to make and stretch my own. Sleevendog, good point about being able to see what it is. Most of the company know borekes, and love them, but I think, without knowing why, that's why I was attracted to the idea of cups and the like. Your piggy-backing to meals comment sounds just like something my mother said when I was a teen: "Julia Child left an important step out of this paté -- it should say, 'Feed pot roast to your family' right here." :) I bet your spring rolls are awesome, but there's no way I'm going to be able to try something like that for this. The mini-skewers are an interesting idea, however. When I mentioned skewers at the beginning, I was thinking something like a satay, but thought Kitchendetective had the right of it on the eating. I might be able to do a mini-satay on an ended tooth pick, as well as the kind of combo you were talking about. Re planning, I don't know what's getting made this week either, or even if there will be company or not. :) But if there is company, it's probably not more than half a dozen people with small appetites. If I don't plan now, and start cooking and freezing over the summer, however, I'm not going to be able to do it myself. I have a good caterer, but home made is so much better than "out" food, and I have good freezers that don't ruin the food. :) So I'm gathering ideas, and in a few weeks I'll start to write menus, and do trial runs on new recipes. I appreciate all the ideas more than I can express.

On PBS here, the whole time from 8pm until 11pm is listed as Viewer's Choice. We had The Beatles, no TSO. Now there's some guy telling us how to be rich for life. Can't imagine whose choice that was. Sue

Here's my assessment of the players.... Raven - I'm almost afraid to type her name, she might get bruised or break a bone! Hypochondriac, liar, drama queen, little self-worth. Matt - what a good summer for this 14 y/o and his raging hormones! Matt = boring. Mark - such low esteem. Indecisive flip flopper. Destined to be mistreated by women the rest of his life. I think Mark is kinder and more intelligent than it shows on bb. Elena - a waste of time to write anything about her. Josh - cry baby that can dish it out but can't take it. Quick to apologize and just as quick to take it back. Being manipulated by Christmas. Being used by Paul and Alex to do their dirty work (bullying Mark) Christmas - Has dipped her toes in another woman's hot tub. Slimy person... much more than what you see on CBS. She's really mean to Mark because he's the only male in the house that can't give it back better than she can. IMO, she sits right next to Elena on the nasty couch. Jason - Geez, dude, don't you know your wife is watching your eyes following Alex? Looking her up and down, following her around? Hopefully a little couples counseling is all they'll need at this point. Otherwise, he's a tattletale. It pays to keep things to yourself sometimes. Kevin - I retract my support for Kevin. He's finally realizing what the outside world is going to be thinking. A lot of people are beginning to believe Kevin is a super fan. If so, he's not very good at game play. Talk about playing ALL sides and letting all your housemates know it! Alex - she gets on my nerves. Isn't she suppose to be almost 30? Or is it 13? I don't really think she's a good gamer, just aligned with the right person. Her laugh grates on me. Paul - The only one playing a good game. Still, I'm not in love. I bet he's the head honcho in his little group of friends and has them fetch and carry for him. He has a sweet side but a mean streak to go with it. Cody ??? Well, how sweet he treated Jessica! But wait until they break up... he's going to give her hell. She'll give it back, though. Looks like he's going home this week but if not, I can root for Cody almost as much as anyone else at this point. Well, here's the shocker... I'm going to root for Mark. I'm beginning to feel very sorry for him. Maybe the money will help him.