The Battle is Over, but the War Continues!

In my quest to "get it out of my system" (the "it" being the urge to embark on insanely difficult, labor intensive cooking projects), I have recently finished the latest skirmish, which I have mentioned in this space: cooking an elaborate Italian dinner for 200 people.

And what did I do the next day at the party which was called to help consume leftovers? Find some ingredients that we had overlooked, and did some more cooking.

And frankly, if someone had suggested some crazy culinary adventure at midnight, as we were decompressing after the reception, I would have probably said, "yes!"

Now, I am eagerly awaiting the next culinary campaign, which is the St. Anthony of Padua Institute's An Evening with G. K. Chesterton on February 9th at St. Margaret Mary's Church in Oakland (you have to go, if you live within 300 miles. Really. You will not regret it. If you live farther than 300 miles, you should still come. I promise that this will be the memorable event of the year).

But I think I have given up hope that these things "get it out of my system." It is more like putting out a fire by heaping on more fuel. Sure, you might smother it, but if you don't crush every little spark, the fire will grow bigger. Much bigger.

So, the inevitable question becomes more pressing, more looming, and more difficult to laugh off.

Fortunately for my better sense "Chez Keilholtz" is a horrible name, so that will keep me from any grandiose plans for a little bit.