It’s cold out there, it’s a little mad everywhere, and the holidays are upon us. I hope everyone is taking a break from the wide world to relax over food, with conversation. Emphasis on the relax part: holiday feasts are much more fun if they are not solo performances, so set aside your inner prima donna and delegate to the nearest and dearest. Early and often.

Coming soon from the particulars: the bloody-mary-buoyed grand launch of t&t’s pickles, and adventures in unearthing several generations of family kitchenware as I move into a new apartment. Yee-haw, 2009.