I as you probably read came from the south and that's part of life; having big meals. My goodness, even if I try to follow a recipe that serves 4 you bet it will serve 8 to 10 by the time I get through "adding to" and "adjusting". It doesn't matter though. Now, when we have leftovers I just send it with my husband to the office to feed his employees for lunch the following day. One time a guy that works there asked me if I used to cook for the military or a school LOL He knew better but had to have a "come back" for the shocked expression on his face when I walked in one day with a 8 qt. pan of hot chicken and dumplings. (Now, that was what I had extra aside from what I had held out for dinner that night.) And you mentioned desserts. I used to fix something every night but, now I cut back on that. I usually have such a huge dinner no one has room for dessert. I still do my share of the sweets though. Your friend, Janie