So next week is Thanksgiving…..have you figured out what you’re going to do? Are you going out to eat or cooking in? If you’re cooking, are you making all the food or getting some help? As a kid we always went out to eat for most holiday meals, so I love to cook at home now. That said, making a whole meal can be a very daunting task. Therefore, I like to get a little help when I can. If you have family or friends that are coming over, ask them to bring a side dish or dessert. If that isn’t an option or you want to manage all the food, I like to get some items pre-made to help me out on the day-of. Here’s a round-up of my favorite time-saving and stress reducing tricks that help me look like I can do it all on Thanksgiving, I hope… Read More
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I love a good cocktail party, I love hosting them and attending them. I believe the art of hosting a cocktail party is a bit lost. I learned much of what I know about hosting from my sister in law Ellen, she is a fabulous host, you always feel at home, she is very accommodating of her guests needs and she is great at keeping the conversation going by managing introductions between guests to make sure that no one ever feels left out or lonely during one of her parties. Don’t get me started about the fabulous food she always serves, whether catered or homemade, there is something for everyone. Here are some key Cocktail Party Etiquette questions with answers that I have learned from her and by being a host myself. Cocktail Party Etiquette for the Host: How do you gently ask people to leave? A great way to signal… Read More
Hosting a dinner (big or small) can be a daunting task, especially if you’re going to cook. Last week I decided to host a small dinner / girls night at my house, with 4 total people to be exact. I did not have the help of my husband, so I learned a few things along the way to make it easier. If you’ve seen the recipes on my blog, you know I love to make stuff that I can start beforehand and that makes several servings. I decided to make one of my favorite dishes, Shrimp and Pea Risotto, which also happens to be quite easy to make too. I am a fan of one-pot-meals, all your food groups represented in one dish…DONE. One thing to remember with a small group 4-6 people, is that it should be more intimate and personal, so there is no need to be too… Read More
