Westsider--Yes, I found a Pratt and Larson tile. I was supposed to get a couple of samples in the correct size and color last week, but they messed up my order again. I'll post pics when it gets here, unless they have another "miscommunication" at the showroom. The party was a success!! I'm not sure what happened with the people who made comments over the last months about arugula being a nasty weed and that capers were sickening, but everyone ate, and ate, and ate, and enjoyed the food! The woman who couldn't believe she ate capers stopped in her tracks when I told her that she also ate anchovies in that tapenade so loved so much. I received lots of praise during and after the party. Thank you all for your help. Most importantly, everyone, including me, had a great time. The group was smaller than expected as none of the husbands came, and a couple of families had the flu strike them at school that day. I think it all worked out for the best as we women just gathered in the kitchen to laugh, listen to Christmas music, talk, and eat apps while I finished plating and garnishing the main course. It was just how I hoped it would be. I ended up spending more time the night before on my son's project and having another commitment at my son's school that day, so I had to adjust the menu a bit to accommodate less cooking time. For apps I did a sour cream, herb, and cucumber dip with fresh veggies and blanched haricot verts and asparagus as suggested. I also did tapenade with crostini and Kathy Casey's sexy baked olives and feta. For the main course I did the cold beef fillet with sherry wine vinaigrette served on arugula with shaved red onions, haricot verts with walnuts and lemon vinaigrette, scalloped blue cheese potatoes, and the citrus salad with mint sugar. For dessert, I made the eggnog tiramisu trifle, cream cheese swirl brownies, and leftover lemon ginger cookies. We drank lots of prosecco, wine, and the hot buttered rum I made for the first time. The kids drank the spiced apple cider. I also had a beverage dispenser filled with water, lemons, and cucumber a friend termed "spa water." Sounds so snobby to me. ;) For compumom, here are the three recipes for which you asked. Eggnog Tiramisu Trifle http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Tiramisu-Eggnog-Trifle-108981 Tapenade In a food processor, pulse 1 garlic clove and 1 t fresh thyme leaves until minced. Add 1 1/4 c pitted kalamatas, 4 drained anchovy fillets, 2 T capers, 2 t lemon juice, and about 4-5 T EVOO and process until coarsely pureed. It's best fresh, but can keep a couple of days in the fridge. Cold Fillet of Beef with Sherry Wine Vinaigrette

I love fudge...with popcorn. This recipe brought back memories of Sunday nights...watching Ed Sullivan, Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom and the Wonderful World of Disney and eating popcorn and fudge.

Ya know, Dances, you can always make those convenience products from scratch if you want. Personally, I prefer the freshness of home-made, and would never even consider buying something like a jar of roasted red peppers etc. I do agree with your feelings about using just a small amount of a special product. I just went through that with tamarind. Needed just a walnut-sized piece of pulp, but the smallest package was a full pound. Leafy: Nothing surprises me when it comes to how much people need to have their hands held. I remember a story Friend Wife and I did, "In Search of the Perfect Crabcake." Basically, it was a tour of Maryland's Eastern Shore based on food tripping. Folks repeated that trip all summer. With copies of the article clutched in their hands they'd visit only the restaurants we mentioned, and would order, in each one, exactly what we had eaten there.

Hi Becky - I know that I, for one, posted that recipe many years ago - I found it in a magazine and it was a winner at the Gilroy Garlic Festival. Everybody we serve it to has the same reaction as your DH's office - love at first bite! It is really outrageous, isn't it. We hardly ever make it anymore - its just so rich - but it sure is a certifiable treat!