The Fourth of July!

6 years ago Entertain

 

America’s Celebration!  Who doesn’t love the 4th – an annual day for cookouts, picnics, family reunions and just plain homespun fun.  Here are some pictures from our cookout at the lake.  It turned out to be a sweltering day, but just eating outside at dusk takes the heat of the day away and just makes everything enjoyable.  I combined two picnic tables end to end.  I love using a paper “runner”, but unfortunately ran out!  These are a fantastic product, so fun and more up to date than the traditional plastic of days past.  I used my cloth seafood motif tablecloths and just built on the red, white and blue.  I collect vintage lobsters and scattered them about.  I placed the utensils and plates attractively in a picnic basket for folks to help themselves.

My menu suggestions:

Our tradition is usually to grill spareribs to “fall off the bone” perfection.  However the extreme heat made my husband (head griller) decide to opt for something that wouldn’t require basking over a hot grill.

Grilled strip steaks – cut in half (not everyone always wants a full one!)

Dill potato salad – recipe on blog

Bean salad – recipe on blog

Corn on the cob

Caprese tomato salad – recipe on blog

Brownies ala mode and s’mores

For links to some of the products seen here and similar – please click on the post title.

Cute Halloween Cupcake Treats

8 years ago Entertain

 

A friend of mine brought these to a Halloween party and I just had to share.  So darling and so very easy!  She just used chocolate cake mix and store bought frosting.  The little “tombstones” are Pepperidge Farm cookies stuck into the cupcake.  Pipe on the faces, etc, while they are laying flat, before you stick them into the cupcakes.  Adorable!

A Beautiful August Wedding

9 years ago Entertain

We recently attended the wedding of a close friends’ eldest daughter.  On a day that seemed custom ordered, we watched her walk down the aisle and into her new life – Kleenex please!  I wanted to share some pictures of that day since the theme and setting were so charming.  The reception was held at a local golf course.  Guests were greeted by staff presenting signature golf-themed drinks, (ie: the sand wedge) with straws bearing a small flag with the bride and groom monogram.  The monogram was presented on napkins and the menu cards as well.  There was a “closest to the pin” friendly competition during the cocktail hour – which the bride promptly won….in her wedding dress!  The flowers were just beautiful with gorgeous summer colors that matched the bridesmaids dresses and seemed also to be a nod to the colors of August.   The beauty in this wedding was truly the classic simplicity that is signature to the brides’ style.

A few days later my friend re-purposed some of the bouquets in her home and they still looked lovely.

Another friend had handkerchiefs custom embroidered with a monogram and wedding date.

As with anything, it is always the small touches that add to the total experience.  I believe nothing here was overlooked!  Enjoy the photographs.

Bridal Shower

9 years ago Entertain

The eldest daughter of a close friend of mine is getting married – can’t believe how quickly time goes by!  So the other day I went to her bridal shower.  I can honestly say, I am always amazed how creative my friends are.  The hostess put together such a sweet event and one of the highlights was this ‘mimosa bar’.  Just had to share here.  Inspiration to use this idea for any event.  The pictures will do the talking.

Lilly Pulitzer themed Golf League Luncheon

9 years ago Entertain

OK, let’s begin by saying, I’m not a great golfer, however, I do love the commradery and freindship of being on a league.  A year ago my golf partner and I won our annual member-member event (lets be clear – on handicap alone), which means you are the hosts for the next years event – who knew?!  So here I am trying to put a new twist on our annual Lily Pulitzer pink and green event.  Inspiration hit!  Flamingos!!  I created silk flower centerpieces adorned with garden flamingos.  All the ‘gifts’ were Palm Beach themed, soaps with glittery palm trees, tropical candles, even beach towels with flamingos on them.  We had garden flamingos put on the tee boxes for the “closest to the line’ and ‘longest drive’ holes, etc.  It was a smash.  Here are some pics from the event.  Remember, any occasion can be a chance to knock it out of the park.  Run with it!!

Evening Cocktails with an Olive Tasting Station

9 years ago Entertain

Flavored olive oils are all the rage lately.  The varieties are almost endless and very creative as well.  Here is a twist on the traditional cocktail cheese and cracker fare.  Round up some different varieties, have bread cubes, as pictured here, or bruchetta toasts.  Pour the oils into small dipping dishes.  Have extra olives and crudités as well, such as cornichons, figs, or hard salami.  Have a clever display to entice sampling. Remember different heights and containers make for a pleasing visual.

Olive Wreath – so pretty!

9 years ago Entertain

I think that this presentation of olives is so attractive and bonus – extra simple!  Sprigs of fresh rosemary and a mixture of olives, cornichons, and mozzarella cheese balls.  Try this one for sure for your holiday gatherings.

It’s Pepper Time!!

10 years ago Entertain

My husband has an addiction to hungarian hot peppers.  Each year we throw a “pepper party”.  The men get together and jar large quantities of their secret recipe for use through the year and gifts to those who are lucky enough.  I am in charge of the dinner party at the end of the day. They are slightly hot, can be eaten with anything and are quite simply delicious!  We’ve had freinds give us recipe ideas for how they have used them, including a pepper mayonnaise that is similar to a remoulade.  They are wildly popular and gaining.  One day I hope to distribute to you my readers as well.  Here are a few photos of the process.