... to interrupt you at that point and take off." Extending your hand toward someone is one obvious but polite clue that the conversation has ended. The bar and hors d'oeuvres table offer other outlets: You can walk to get refills together and, while grabbing a drink or piece of bruschetta, fold yourself into a new conversation. ...

...of the dough at a time to 1/8" thickness. Using a diamond-shaped cutter about 3" in length, cut out dough. Place on prepared cookie sheets. Using a hors d'oeuvre cutter, cut out and remove a smaller diamond shape from the centers half of the cookies. Place whole cookies on one cookie sheet and cutout cookies on another because they ...

... all i wont be making a pumpkin pie from scratch, "Neldam's" the day before to purchase the pumpkin pie. Now all i got to do is figure out some easy hors d' oeuvre. At this point im thinking a fresh fruit & veggie & meat & cheeses with various crackers and wine 'antipasto' type thingy. Suggestions welcome. -- JL