It's the Simple Things

Meg Miller has a boyfriend. It’s no secret. The couple is all over town, eating in restaurants, attending school functions for his grandson, Ross and his granddaughter, Kat. Meg’s delighted because she knew the kids and their mother, Berti, before she met General Benjamin Hudson Tate.

They’re definitely a couple, and Hud fits right in with Meg’s close group of friends. But for a function requiring a covered dish, they disagree on their contribution. Hud usually prevails. His dish requires fewer ingredients, less work, and can be eaten with fingers. Meg refuses to believe she’s lowered her standards. In her mind, she’s mellowed. That could be a satisfactory goal for everyone, because, after all, Hud’s recipe covers all the food groups if you count cheese as the protein.

The only downside to Hud preparing the appetizer for her mah jongg group is that they get cranberry sauce and cheese on the mah jongg tiles. Lurlene Franklin says, “Chill, Meg. That’s what napkins are for," as she throws kisses to Hud across the massive gathering room of the senior activity center.

Meg takes on a mock scowl, threatening Lurlene to leave her boyfriend alone and then they resume calling out tiles: one bam, three crack, soap … And, they shield their attempt at dainty licks of their fingers from the bridge group on the other side of the room. Mah jongg can be a messy game.

Festive Cranberry Spread

1 16 ox. Can of whole-berry cranberry sauce              

1 4 oz. Can diced green chiles                                      

2 T. sliced green onion                                                  

1 T. lime juice                                                                 

½ t. garlic salt

½ t. chili powder 

½ t, cayenne pepper

1 8 oz. Package cream cheese

1 package crackers

In medium bowl, combine cranberry sauce, chilies, green onion, lime juice, garlic salt, cayenne pepper and chili powder; mix until well blended.

To serve, place cream cheese on serving dish.  Spoon 1 cup of the cranberry mixture over cheese.  Serve with crackers.