My neighbors invited me and several other neighbors over for dinner on Saturday night. After spending Friday and most of Saturday sanding and stripping the built-in, it was so incredibly nice to hit the shower, wash all the dust and grit off, and head across the street to a fantastic meal.

I made my usual salad and brought a long a carafe of Julie’s Dressing. Shawn made Chicken Piccata

and Risotto with Red Pepper (Cam helped with the labor-intensive stirring).

It sounds extremely corny and cliché, but honestly, nothing makes food taste better than eating it in the company of good friends--especially when you don't have to make it yourself!