A more direct answer regarding pot sizes:

I used a 6qt stock pot to make the shrimp stock (a required ingredient), scrubbed out and reused for the shrimp creole.  I also used a 4qt sauce pan to make rice.  In retrospect I should have made the shrimp stock in the 4qt sauce pan.  This would have saved some time.

The reason I decided to make shrimp creole is that overall it has a lot of bang for the buck.  It's rich, so it goes a long way (a moderate amount feeds many), it's impressive (even those who don't have much food deserve something impressive), it doesn't take as much time (I don't need to start cooking 26 hours ahead of time), and I can get all of the ingredients locally (don't have to send out to La Place for the good andouille).

- A 

Mission accomplished, at least for the most part.

It impressed the food fanatics and was more than welcomed by others.  It was good but could have been better.

Next time.

I had become too predictable.  Shame on me.  Every year I would deliver a small tray of baklava (the good stuff, from across town).  Since my lovely bride always shared with her coworkers, everyone came to expect it.  I had to change things up.

As soon as my lovely bride fell asleep the night before Valentines Day I went downstairs and started cooking.  By morning she had a basket overflowing with pralines.  Some were vanilla bourbon flavor, others were Kahlua.

When we woke up she noticed the basket.  She tore open one of the wrappers and was skeptical.  It was a praline.  The pralines from the praline shops are really terrible.  She took one bite and exclaimed that this was home-made!  How?  When?  There was much kissing.

She took the basket to work and offered pralines to coworkers in her department and others in every meeting throughout the day.  There were plenty to go around.

In December we had shepherded some of her coworkers around the French Quarter; we knew where to get good food and music while avoiding the long lines.  We also introduced them to good pralines, not the ones in the praline shops.  They really didn't mind having some of the home-made ones.

- A

Egads, this might be starting to catch on!

Earlier this afternoon a friend cooked a large batch of stew (lightly curried) and sent most of it off to someone who needed food.  I saw this; it's not just another internet rumor.

My God, what would happen if we all started caring for each other, respecting others of different viewpoints and religions, realizing that people need basic sustenance?

Some people might call me Lennonist.  John Lennon.  Imagine that.

- A

Here here for TR!

Another forumite who is familiar with ICAO and/or IATA!

- A

This was indeed Carol of the Bells.  It is one of my favorite carols, but it is not usually done as a solo and almost never as a solo on the hammered dulcimer.  Let's just say it keeps my hands busy.

I have been absent for almost two weeks, having been on vacation in New Orleans.  I tried to hook up with old friends, but that did not work out so I made some new friends. We ended up doing this a Capella in an Irish pub.  No practice.  Standing ovation.

Much belated response to MK:

Migrant almond picker mistakenly hires Trump:

"Sorry, I was just looking for a nut job."

I did a rather inadvisable Firefox upgrade and it toasted all stored passwords.

Can you hear me?  Is this getting through?

Please respond, to anyone at all.