Ann Hodgman

Alamy'Tis the season for drop-by guests -- bypass stress with these easy tips for feeding unexpected friends and family. It's not very festive to say, "Oh, look! Some friends are pulling up in the driveway. Hide, everyone!" But that's how I always feel, especially around Christmas. Santa ... Read More

AlamyPotluck parties are never quite as easy and carefree as they sound. Sometimes you're hit with a walloping amount of food, like an office picnic I attended where one guest had brought 320 manicotti for 20 people. More often, though, those twenty guests will line up at a table to find a ... Read More

Elizabeth Hait"Please don't tell me you're the kind of mom who makes her kids' Halloween costumes," a new friend once begged me. No, no, nothing to fear in that direction except for the year my preschool daughter announced that she wanted to be a horse. My husband and I did make that costume, ... Read More

Getty ImagesMy friend Danica used to put a container of soy-sauce-marinated tofu chunks into her daughter's lunchbox every day. One day, another mother asked, "Is it true that you give Miranda little pieces of futon for lunch?" Poor tofu. It's so misunderstood. Reviled, even, by some people ... Read More

Getty ImagesFor a spud, there's no higher calling than being turned into a golden heap of potato chips. Baked potatoes and mashed potatoes are pretty great -- and let's not forget French fries -- but potato chips are perfect. And you don't even have to make them yourself! In fact, the chips ... Read More