pshaw on the shaky culinary skills...I've made your mac and cheese and it's good! :-)

Constance, you poor thing! Having company come shouldn't be a chore, it should be a joy! My family, also, has someone coming later today to stay with us for ten days. My own twin brother recently broke up with his wife (looong story) and is living with us. We have a full house, to be sure. All I can say is that, though we know others have their own routines, ours seems to work best for us and our needs, be they schedule, budget, dietary, what have you. While you want to do your best to help them feel comfortable, they should also do the same for you... and I bet they will, too. That's what good friends do.

Here's my suggestion. It sounds like you and the BF are both cooks, so add a little extra (both ingredients and love) to each creation and make sure that there are plenty of leftovers for your guests to eat when their schedule demands. It's not rude to expect guests to dine on leftovers. Especially if you compromise, just a little, and make those leftovers part of a planned menu. Leftover ham and scalloped potatoes? Make sure you've got fresh broccoli (from the local farmer's co-op, of course!) to quickly steam and maybe some salad greens or french bread, or both, and there's a meal fit for kings or paupers. Besides, I know of dozens of casserole type dishes, especially ones made in the crockpot, that taste far more divine when they've been allowed to sit for a while and "mellow," don't you? Just a tiny bit of extra planning, a few extra ingredients (when you DO find time to cook) and just a dash of creativity and love and you'll have an easy menu your guests will enjoy. I guarantee it.

Also, I regularly work my mornings, especially on the weekends, where I cook several meals at once to save time later in the day. For example, if I'm making egg and cheese sandwiches for my girls that morning I'll throw together a broccoli (there's the dreaded green vegetable again) and cheese quiche with Bisquick (don't hate me because I've gone to the dark side) that will go in the fridge when it's done. Or, another example, if I'm doing a more complex breakfast I'll throw some chicken thighs in the crockpot (finally got it in there) with a few veggies (root or aromatic) to cook all day. That evening, once everyone's ready, I'll shred the chicken, dice up a little cabbage, heat up some corn tortillas, crack open a can of refried beans (I told you I'd turned...), find some salsa and throw together a salad and I've got chicken tacos in less than fifteen minutes.

I am NOT suggesting that this didn't occur to you, Constance. I merely want to point out that you don't need to suffer guests. Celebrate! You're blessed with dear friends and a few extra mouths. Fill there tummies with good food (I know you will) and their hearts with love and you may never be rid of them. I'll pray that your kitchen feels more like a joy factory than a prison work camp.

Blessed be.

Love and light, dear ones.
Rev

PS- Thanks for the compliment. I'm not sure how to feel about my family's C&D "popping cherries" with crockpots all over the place. I guess if they're really in love... =o)