To Cook, or Not to Cook?

Each week, we sit down and plan the menu for the next week's meals. That way, we can note the ingredients we need to pick up during grocery shopping time.

Before we start menu planning, though, we check the calendar to see how many days are covered by food-related events around town. Tonight, for example, there's a catfish/chicken dinner, hosted by our local insurance providers. On Friday, the Master Gardener group, of which my husband is a member, will hold it's annual potluck picnic.

Last week, we were given tickets to a pancake supper fundraiser, and the week before that, the County Extension Homemakers (Mother and I are both members) had a potluck lunch.

Often, banks, businesses, and organizations around here host free picnic-style meals for the community as part of their advertising campaigns. The meals range from the standard hamburger and hot dog fare (frequently served on a flying disc with advertising on it), to barbequed chicken with trimmings.

Since this is a small town, we have connections in some way or another to most of the businesses and organizations, so we feel quite comfortable in accepting their hospitality and good grub. We're grateful, too, because it means we don't have to cook on those days.