Tonight we are having company for dinner. My two closest friends from college and their families are coming. We all live in the same area, but we rarely get to see each other. In the ten years since we graduated from college, we have made an effort to have dinner together twice a year.

I have grand plans for a fabulous southern meal. We will be having ham, rolls, green beans, macaroni and cheese, corn casserole, and blackberry cobbler with ice cream. Of course, we will also be having a choice of iced tea or fruit tea to go with our southern meal. The only problem with this plan is that I am breaking the cardinal rule when it comes to cooking for company. I have never cooked a ham, and I have never made this mac-n-cheese recipe (my usual mac-n-cheese is called Velveeta Shells and Cheese, and it comes in a handy box at Kroger). My hope is that it will all turn out fine. Of course, I know the corn casserole will be good. If the other things don't turn out, we will be having really good corn for dinner.

Along with my fine meal, I am planning to use my china for the FIRST TIME since I married almost eleven years ago. However, I ran into a problem. My good tablecloth shrank, and it no longer covers the table. I ran out to buy another tablecloth (which I better get busy ironing), and I realized I do not have cloth napkins. Unfortunately, Target (the perfect place for all your fine dining needs) was out of the napkins to match the tablecloth. Considering the fact that there I have no time to go anywhere else, I will be making Martha Stewart proud by using fancy PAPER napkins with my nice tablecloth and fine china.

Hopefully, since we have all been friends for fourteen years, I won't be written off tonight over the paper napkins. I guess if the napkins are the only thing that goes wrong, I will be doing alright!

Labels: Family and Friends