It's A Family Affair

In times of upheaval, there is nothing like a family dinner to get your mind off of your troubles - that and a four-year old nephew suggesting a career transition into firefighting.

There is also nothing like a classic, all-American, upscale chain restaurant such as The Palm to make you feel as though all will be right with the world - as long as you have a plate of Half Cottage Fries, Half Fried Onion and a big bowl of Creamed Spinach to soften life's blows.

Then there's the entertaining family dynamic - My fave being the moment my sister-in-law accidentally dropped the ketchup top in her wine glass, and my step-brother happily traded his glass of Cabernet Sauvignon for hers. He actually thought the ketchup essence added a "special something" to the wine's bouquet. What a nose!

All in all, from my Surf n' Turf to the Key Lime Pie, over the course of Friday's family dinner I seemed to gain some much needed ground after the past week's insanity.

It was all going to be okay.

But, let's admit it - It would be MUCH better if I could get a side of the Creamed Spinach for the road.