… but there’s really nothing to compare with good food shared with friends in the warm, welcoming environs of their home.

The family and I are back in our old stomping grounds, in search of a white Christmas. Unfortunately, that’s proving elusive. The ski areas are open, but the coverage is grim. Yesterday, the husband went to Schweitzer in Sandpoint, Idaho, and had to dodge rocks and a few small streams. It was socked in, so you couldn’t even call it spring conditions. Still, we hope for precipitation.

In the meantime, we have been so well fed. Greeted on Saturday with prime rib and mashed potatoes whipped up by Ted and Virginia before going to a party with all sorts of delicious homemade goodies made by Amy.

Then, last night, my dear pal Holly threw a bash that ended with her famous creme brulee (the best in the world, except for that one place in Provence), a decadent chocolate cake, and she sent us off with cookies that would make Martha Stewart proud. Another highlight from that potluck was skewers of Montana antelope grilled by Rich. Tonight, Jim’s fixing us a pot of shrimp etouffee!

I will hit a few of my favorite restaurants while I’m in town, starting with Thai on First for lunch. I’ll pick up some of Fery’s fabulous chicken curry and, who knows, I might even get into Chicken-n-More for some barbecue.