This article struck a cord with me. This couple started doing a weekly "open" family dinner where they invite basically any of their friends to join them for dinner once a week. They keep it simple by making the same meal every week and they cap RSVPs to the number of chairs they have.
http://www.seriouseats.com/2014/08/simp ... -kids.htmlI haven't gotten A to read it yet, but he agrees with the idea in principle: we don't see our friends enough and a good meal is a way of making family connections.
I think we are going to try it, with heavy modifications. We will do Sunday early dinner, and not Friday. I don't work from home and Friday would be really rushed. We will start with once a month, and if it is successful, we might make it twice a month. We will make whatever is cheap, filling and nutritious (and that I feel like cooking): the aforementioned meatballs, roast chicken, taco bar, arroz con pollo; many things could be easily done. We haven't figured it all out yet, but we miss our friends. Everyone is so busy that an open invite might be easier than planning.
If we can make it work, I will report back.
--Lisa