I've been on both sides of the equation - the person who cooked the "perfect" meal only to find that my husband/daughter had eaten a bag of crappy chips or the leftover pasta when he/she got home from work/school and weren't hungry; and I was also the person who was a little tired and cranky and made a comment that was more than a little rude. So...

As for an "ungrateful" family, I realized that most of the time they are coming to the dinner table and do socialize while eating some of what I cooked. That's what family dinner time is about anyway and like adw83 says above, cooking is really about the person doing the cooking and not everyone enjoys food in the same way.

For my part, I don't buy chips to bring home any more unless they're part of my meal (tortilla chips for nacho night, for example) and as for the leftovers, I know that whatever the teenagers/young adults don't eat at this meal will be appreciated later when they come home from Ironman 2 a midnight or the next day afer school!

I've learned to think before letting the words fly and am able to take appreciate everything that's put in front of me. When my 21-year old daughter took it upon herself to have my cheesecake cooked and in the refrigerator one day after class because she knew it needed to cool three hours and I'd be rushing in after work to frantically get it done and ready to serve that night, I knew that I'd raised an amazing young lady and most of all I've been forgiven.

All very good suggestions (I think?)...I remember the post with "Avatarts". Blue food is a little creepy but I like it. The movie food twist is right up my alley and something swanky like smoked salmon pizza would be delicious. AND we can use some of our own smoked salmon. Thanks for all the good ideas!

Probably wouldn't do this for a movie treat - but just saw this movie for the first time this weekend (yes, I am behind the 8-ball) but sure wish I'd have seen this recipe before going!

Chili sauce was also a staple in my mom's fridge growing up so I bought some, kept it in the cupboard and one day finally pulled it out to make a sweet sour sauce to put those little sausages in for Super Bowl parties. How appropriate this comes up now?!?

I decided that it was good enough to put a dollop in the next stir-fry I had instead of the normal HOT chili sauce and while it tamed the dish too much for my daughter & I, my husband was very pleased with the result.

I've since added it to chicken with paprika (tasty) and when we had guests for Saturday brunch, it came to the table to spice up the eggs. I've added a little to chili, deemed it a staple for cocktail sauce and tried it in a honey-chili sauce concoction to baste my turkey.

Pleasant surprise for a humble beginning.

Fabulous ideas! I love them all and can't wait to go home, check my pantry tonight and come up with something healthy for the next few days!