Simple Sunday Supper with a Recipe for Sticky Toffee Pudding

On a recent Sunday I found myself facing a dilemma.  I was up to  my eyeballs doing mountains of laundry and getting 2 sons packed to go back to school the next morning with last minute shopping of toiletries for good measure.  I was also awaiting the overnight visit of my sister and husband who were travelling from Canada in uncertain weather and a great distance.  It had been more than 6 months since we we last together and I wanted to be hospitable in spite of the chaos of sending kids back to  college.  This would also be the last chance to sit down around the table with our 3 sons alll together for a long time.  I decided a make ahead menu, a casual but inviting table setting and keeping it simple would have to rule.   Not knowing when our visitors would arrive meant I needed a meal that could sit and be kept warm as long as necessary.