MY SON-IN-LAW CALLED MY DAUGHTER “BUTTERBALL” AND TOLD HER SHE WASN’T ALLOWED TO HAVE DESSERT AT OUR FAMILY DINNER — HE HAD NO IDEA I WAS ABOUT TO MAKE HIM REGRET IT.

made after someone had enjoyed too much wine.

My husband, Dennis, used to tease me about it.

“Evelyn,” he would say, resting against the counter while I focused on the gravy, “you could negotiate a treaty between two cats fighting over one sunbeam.”

I would laugh and throw a dish towel toward him.

“Someone has to keep this family from turning dinner into continue reading …