Adrienne - I'm so glad you've been able to have more positive thoughts about joining your family for your New Year dinner! I'm sure it will be a wonderful sharing of your lives and appreciation for each other.

Charm - what a beautiful article - you have a way with words that not only brings a tender scene to us but the emotions that go along with it. The juxtaposition of the Vitamix and "transubstantiation of texture" conjures up for me something akin to a religious experience! Savoring the aroma was something my son would do when he could not taste and had trouble swallowing anything. He would spend several moments close to the bowl of chicken broth, inhaling and enjoying the vapors rising up from the broth. He said it was almost like tasting.

Leslie - thanks for posting the article!