on Wednesday. Lime-cilantro chicken for the tortilla scoops and Crab cheesecake from the Zelle family cookbook.

Good friends and great conversation.

We miss you, Phyl.

Simple, quick, delicious was this month’s theme as it turned out. We never plan anything. Loaded potato slices and sesame-coated cream cheese in a pool of soy sauce with crackers with a very good Justin wine.

Merrilyn’s grandson Jacob bought her a menu board for Christmas. Thanks Jacob.

Delicious drummettes and French bread pizza slices.

On Wednesday. Cauliflower toasts and a pretty good hot dip with tortilla chips with a terrible name, Cowboy Crack.

An old favorite, Crostini with fennel sausage by Merrilyn. Me: purchased artichoke jalapeño dip and crackers.

Honoring the tomato this month. Cherry tomato mascarpone tartlets and Upside down tomato tart:

On Wednesday. Warm Stilton and mushroom galette – so delicious! – and cream cheese w fresh-made cranberry sauce, crackers, and apple:

A favorite monthly activity for a few years was Thursday @ Merrilyn’s with Phyllis until … Phyl moved to Montana 5 years ago. Phyl arrived last Thursday to visit friends and family. This afternoon, Merrilyn came to my house for a visit – longtime friends catching up!