I love picnics. I love appetizers. I love snack food and finger food and eating off of napkins and snacking and talking while eating and having loads of fun with food and drinks and friends. Any food that can be eaten while standing, holding a drink and having a conversation is good food.

It's not to say that I don't also enjoy languorous meals, eaten while lingering over wine and candles...it's just a very different "mode" to be in and depends entirely on your mood and your company. A few close friends, a large dining room table, candles, wine, good-sized portions, a linen table cloth, napkins and nice silverware; these lend themselves to an elongated dining experience with conversations that meander from the mundane to the ridiculous and back again. Digestion is aided by wine and good company.

Then there's the opposite end of the dining spectrum: paper napkins (nice ones!), a comfortable spot for two or room full of people, a pitcher of delicious sangria, plates and platters of scrumptious snacks, using fingers as silverware, different tastes mixing together and a wide variety of textures; these contribute to an evening of sipping drinks, enjoying food as something not just to eat but something to experience and conversations that bounce back and forth between each person like ping pong.

Andrea and I have a tradition of an evening of appetizers on her balcony at least once every summer -- along with conversations that both meander and bounce. We pile the platters high and fill the bowls until they're near spilling. We eat and talk and laugh until our stomachs hurt from fullness and merriment. Appetizing to say the least.

I recently received an email from a reader from down under who wanted some suggestions of appetizers she could make for an upcoming party she is attending. I've been searching my own books, my own clippings, the net and my brain for a few interesting and delectable treats for her to make, so appetizers have been on the brain lately. I promise to get those recipes to you soon, Niki...I swear!

AND: if anyone else has any really great appetizer recipes they'd like me to share with Niki please feel free to email or leave a link in my comments section -- specifically, she is looking for recipes that can be prepared ahead of time and served at room temperature. Thanks!