when stuff goes wrong

I apologize for my absence. I've had a lot to write about...a fantastic northern Italian cream spaghetti with beans I made a couple of days before my dad came (see the recipe here)...my dad's visit (and how my oven broke the night before while I was making the granola and I had to change my plan and make this awesome braised salmon on Saturday night)...some really good veggie enchiladas I made for my mother-in-law's birthday...and the awesome authentic Hawaiian menu I planned for my mother's-in-law's family gathering last weekend (they do a different ethnic theme every year and incorporate different traditions and menus). But I can't post any pictures because my home computer is broken. I promise to catch up someday...but it won't be soon. This is the Christmas season, after all. Merry Christmas!
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Oh...and to my aunt...Tyler Florance (of the food network) recommended this mini-menu for Christmas parties, and I immediately thought of you (I'm pretty sure you could use a good chicken stock with a little vinegar for the sauce instead of white wine if you want).

Center-cut tenderloin roast (fillet Mignon as a roast) with blender Bearnaise sauce
Bacon and brussels sprout hash

I'd add a soup of some kind...maybe a creamed winter squash soup (instead of the traditional sugared up yams)...some rolls...and a salad...and call it a feast.

I don't know if I can help you with the cookies...I have no patience for cookies...but I do really like baking refrigerator crescent rolls with a bit of dark chocolate in it for parties. That always goes over really well.

I hope that helps.