Random dinner party anyone?

Who randomly decides to invite some of their family over for dinner via text?  Me.  And the great thing is...some of them actually show up.  In fact, I would've been three for three tonight, but one of my cousins had class tonight, so her sister was kind enough to take her leftovers.

I love having people come over for dinner.  It's a little something I can do to show people how much I appreciate them just being around.  It doesn't take a lot of effort, but being able to provide a home-cooked meal for those that mean the most to me is just something I really don't take for granted...unless they all want something different.  Then again, that only happens when both of the boys are home.

Tonight there were four of us for dinner: N, my mom, my pal/cousin, and myself.  N dined on grilled cheese, green beans, and clementines.  The rest of us had tortilla soup.  The key to tortilla soup is to make it a day before you actually want to eat it so the flavors will get all nice and mixy.  Mixy is totally a word.  Since I got off work earlier than normal, I put it on the stove to reheat/simmer while I baked some delicious treats.

At work, there is currently a "Biggest Loser" contest.  Although I was part of the committee that put it together, I opted not to participate, not because I don't feel I would benefit from it (because I would), but because I don't like the way contests make people behave.  Let me amend that.  I like being competitive.  I dislike being conniving and shady.  I disagree with putting huge bowls of candy out for contestants and "secretly" leaving treats on their desks that you know they love.  It's not the way to play, nor is it the way to win, BUT since I'm not competing, I really don't have any room to talk.

Except for tomorrow.  Tomorrow is my friend's birthday, and I made her treats.  When I get stressed or bored or anything really, I tend to cook or bake.  She knows this, and asked what I would be making her for her birthday.  I said, "Cheesecake?" and her face lit up.  So, cheesecake it is...and it'll be entertaining to see all the contestants do whatever they can to avoid my cheesecake.  It won't work.

Anyway, I set up little bowls full of toppings and (keeping with the Mexican theme) decided to make a sopapilla cheesecake for dessert.  That's a quick and easy go-to recipe that is always a crowd-pleaser.  It was a delightful evening with my mom and my cousin, full of funny conversation and the little things in life.  They left with bags full of leftovers, and I still had a ton left over.  Yum!  Before leaving, my mom asked when everyone was coming over for dinner again.  Anytime, mom...anytime.

Now, if I could shake this start of a cold before it actually turns into something that I'll hate, I'd be in business...

Aubs

                           Soup Bar: tortilla chips, shredded cheese, salsa, sour cream, avocado

                                             Sopapilla Cheesecake: It's dangerous, y'all!