"People are lonely," Sam Sifton writes. "They want to be part of something, even when they cant identify that longing as a need. They show up. Feed them. It isnt much more complicated than that." Regular dinners with family and friends, he argues, are a metaphor for connection, a space where memories can be shared as easily as salt or hot sauce, where deliciousness reigns. The point of Sunday supper is to gather around a table with good company and...

'Tis the season for change and Becky Brandon (née Bloomwood) is embracing it, returning from the States to live in the charming village of Letherby and working with her best friend, Suze, in the gift shop of Suze's stately home. Life is good, especially now that Becky takes time every day for mindfulness . . . which actually means listening to a meditation tape while hunting down online bargains. But Becky still adores the traditions of Christmas:...

This new essential guide to entertaining is divided by occasion, offering a fresh lineup of menus and ideas from Oxford, Mississippi's go-to caterer for every celebratory scenario life serves up. In this update to the best-selling book of our mothers' and grandmothers' era, Elizabeth's tell-it-like-it-is voice provides a twist to the classic Southern advice that is a refresher for entertainers of any age or experience. Packed with delicious recipes...

Three friends resolve their differences and enjoy their neighborhood's block party.

LIVE LARGE * Hang hobby clutter like guitars or bikes on the wall as decoration * Mount side tables on wheels for easy rolling from bedside to sofa ORGANIZE SMART * Upcycle empty wine crates into stylish, stackable shoe cubbies * Line a room with high bookshelves for a ceiling-top library ENTERTAIN IN STYLE * Utilize kitchen space to make an impressive entrée ;go potluck on the sides * Stash plants, lamps and coffee tables in the bathtub to open...