News Summary

• “Hosting” and “great feats of gourmet cooking” go together in only two places: magazines, and gatherings where guests appreciate great feats of gourmet cooking..
• The following first appeared Dec. 23, 2009.Dear Carolyn: My mother, with whom I have always been close, has suddenly started lamenting the fact that I “have no one.” I’m 28, date often, have relationships often enough that I’m not worried, and have a really fun, great life..
• If I force the issue, I might become one of them.” (I'm assuming you know such people, but you can also borrow some of my people, for rhetorical purposes..
• Not to get morbid at Christmastime, but sometimes people grow acutely aware of unreached milestones when they discover their time’s running out.Should that inquiry come up empty — I hope so — here are a few approaches to try..
• Yet for some reason triggered by the holidays, my mom can’t get two sentences out without practically tearing up that I don’t have “anyone who loves you.” I think she genuinely thinks I’m hiding my tears over this..
• Ooh, mashed potatoes!”Dear Carolyn: My husband and I are hosting a holiday dinner for my side of the family..