Nigella Lawson says, “don’t bring flowers to a dinner party because then the hostess has to go and find a vase.” I see her point, it can be nuisance, especially if she’s saving a soufflé or filling 20-glasses with the cocktail of the hour. I usually plonk the blooms in a sink of water and tend to them once everyone has a drink in hand. Because, even if those ranunculus are getting in the way of my rhythm, who in the world isn’t made happier by the sight of fresh flowers?