Because I missed my own usual Christmas bash (on the first Sunday in December, I throw a large party, but this year I was in Florida, getting my father home for his last month at home), I invited just my "usuals", the friends we meet with every Friday, over for a new year's day lunch. I wound up blowing off the new year's eve party I usually attend so that I could sleep in, then work, the day before after one of those 24-hour flu-like bugs. I came close to calling it off, but having my nearest and dearest friends here really helped me start the new year on a new foot. I made 4 tourtieres and they were a hit. Everyone took some home and there's one in the freezer for my husband, who fell in love with the concept when I first made it for him 30+ years ago. One neighbor, who I didn't realize had never been here when I made it, said, Gee, Claire, it is like a breakfast sausage in a pie! Meat pies have fallen out of favor in this country. But I'm not coy or disingenious, and told him my secret ingredient is Jimmy Dean sage sausage!