Friday eve!
As you can see by Itzl's concerned look, this group is for us to check in at to let people know we are alive, doing OK, and not affected by such things as heat, blizzards, floods, wild fires, hurricanes, tornadoes, power outages, or other such things that could keep us off DKos. It's also so we can find other Kossacks nearby for in-person checks when other methods of communication fail - a buddy system. Members come here to check in. If you're not here, or anywhere else on DKos, and there are adverse conditions in your area (floods, heatwaves, hurricanes, etc.), we and your buddy are going to check up on you. If you are going to be away from your computer for a day or a week, let us know here. We care!
If you'd like to be part of the Itzl Alert Network, please leave a comment asking to join, or send us a message asking to join. We'd love to have you. The bigger our network, the less likely someone will be stranded all alone.
That calls for yummy appetizers and snacks.
This is a perennial favorite: Take a loaf of French bread, cut it so one end is flat and the other angled sharply. Hollow out the inside, but leave enough bread to form a "floor" and sides. A 10" French bread roll will give you 2 bread cups, with the highest side between 4 and 5" high. Fill the "cup" inside the hollowed bread with a dip of your choice, then arrange thinly cut veggies along the high side of the bread. I like using cucumber, carrot, bell pepper, scallions, and celery sticks, but other veggies and even fruits or meats can be used. The whole thing is edible. You can also use pumpernickel bread, rye bread, or any other slender "baton" style roll.
It's quick, easy, and children can help make these. One bread cup per person is a good serving size.