Certain people, I’m told, are particularly susceptible to taking their parents seriously, just as they might be to sunburn, or T.B. I believe it, especially around New Year’s Eve, when a trio of my Mom’s personal aphorisms begins to clang around my head.
“Don’t drive after dark: the drunks are out.” Kinda true, and especially relevant. Not only do New Year’s Eve activities happen in the dark, but most revolve around drinking. Plus, this being Los Angeles, I drive wherever I’m going. Looks like I’m not going anywhere.
“Don’t breathe other people’s exhalations.” Admittedly one of her more bizarre pieces of advice, but no less applicable. Parties, by their very nature, are full of people, and people (the unhygienic monsters) consistently breathe. Best I stay at home. (And ask my boyfriend to direct his exhalations out an open window.)
“Nothing good ever happens after midnight.” Forget seeing the ball drop. I’ll be desperately trying to will myself to sleep at that point, avoiding whatever general “not good” waits around to pounce on people in the wee hours.
Homemade, doughnuts and fritters are the absolute best. They far surpass any "donut" shop doughnuts. When I'm in the mood for doughnuts but don't have the patience to wait for dough to rise, I like to make fritters. They fulfill my craving as fast as I can fry them. Their crispy fried exterior and fluffy interior are what make them a favorite sweet treat for many people. A batch of fritters is very easy to put together and they are great for any occasion. But they make a special treat for Hanukkah, which is celebrated with fried foods like 
The festiveness of the holidays is upon us and it's time to make a plan of attack. What to serve? How to serve it? What I am bringing where? And how the heck am I going to feed all these people?
Butter season. It's here. The inside of the door on my freezer holds several pounds of Land O Lakes butter. Many more of the 1-pound boxes are stacked on the shelves in my refrigerator. My holiday baking has begun.
