Search Results for: blog entertaining guests

Entertaining in a Heat Wave

More power to you if you are willing to host an outdoor summer bash without the aid of a pool. This season’s record hot temperatures have put a damper on some summer shindigs simply because it is unsafe to be outside in certain parts of the nation during the heat of the day. If you have a swimming pool, then entertaining outside during a heat wave doesn’t seem as extreme. However, if you don’t have access to thousands of gallons of chlorinated water to cool off your party guests, then you need to get creative. Pull out the Slip-n-Slide for … Continue reading →

Summer Entertaining on the Cheap

Save money when you use the following strategies for summer entertaining on the cheap. Keep the Food Simple Food and drinks are one of the biggest expenses when it comes to summer entertaining. You can reduce this expense in several ways, most notably by keeping everything simple. Do summer favorites, such as hot dogs and burgers with some salad and pasta or pasta salad to round things out. Desert can be inexpensive, too, from freezer pops for the kids to fresh cut watermelon. Reduce the Meat Kabobs on the grill are great because they reduce the amount of expensive meat … Continue reading →

Outdoor Entertaining

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One of the joys of having your own place, whether house or apartment, is entertaining. No really, it’s a joy. At least I always think it is until I look around the house and see all the things that need to be done to get the house company ready. Luckily, for Memorial Day, we will barbeque. There is still a list of things to be done, just different than if everyone was going to be inside. I will still have to put fresh hand towels in the half bath that everyone will use, but as for dusting and vacuuming inside, … Continue reading →

Entertaining Teens During the Summer

Which is harder, planning a party for a temperamental teen or a picky preschooler? I’ve had experience party planning for the latter and it was no picnic, but witnessing what my friend is having to go through putting together a summer shindig for her 15-year-old daughter, I realize now that organizing my preschooler’s bash was a piece of cake. My friend has gone to great lengths to make this party one to remember for her one and only daughter. However, it has been rough from the get-go. Mother and daughter couldn’t come to terms on a theme, menu or decorations. … Continue reading →

Summer Entertaining: Loving the Luau

If I have to see Party City’s TV commercial for cheap luau gear one.more.time… If you’ve been living under a rock, news flash: Party City is having a massive sale on everything you need to throw a backyard summer luau, save for the poi, lomi salmon and Kalua pig. I was born and raised in Hawaii, as such I’ve attended more than a few authentic Hawaiian luaus. They’ve all been memorable parties and I certainly see why people living outside of the 50th state would want to recreate the festivities. Unfortunately, unless you have a large budget and can ship … Continue reading →

Ways to Make Summer Entertaining Fun

The goal of summer entertaining is to have fun, but when you are hosting dozens of people at your home, often “fun” is the last thing that comes to mind. After all, before your guests arrive there’s cleaning, cooking and organizing to be done. One way to keep a summer party from turning into a chore is to infuse fun into the planning process. Think outside of the box with these simple yet creative ideas: Invite a variety of people: A simple way to add zing to your summer bash is to invite a diverse crowd. Instead of just inviting … Continue reading →

New to Food Blog but Years in the Kitchen

I’ve been cooking since I was around seven or eight years old and let me tell you that’s too many years ago to want to count them. I had a mother who encouraged me in the kitchen. Back then I cooked mostly cakes and sweet things but by my early teens, I regularly cooked meals for the family. So I guess by now I ought to have found out a bit about food to pass on. I will be writing 6 food blogs per month. For those who don’t know me, I might be new to the food blog but … Continue reading →

A Favorite Recipe and More Tips for Stress Free Entertaining

Here are the final tips for stress free entertaining for you and your spouse, followed by the recipe of my husband’s favorite dessert. 9. If dinner feels like too much hassle, invite friends for afternoon tea at your home instead. Or invite them out for coffee at the local coffee shop 10. Check when making arrangements for a meal of afternoon tea that the person has no allergies. I once made a chicken dinner only to find out as it was being served that the person was allergic to chicken. Now I ask beforehand if they have any allergies. 11. … Continue reading →

Tips for Stress Free Entertaining for You and Your Spouse- Part 2

Here are more tips for stress free entertaining for you and your spouse. 4. Know Your Spouse Growing up I don’t remember my parents entertaining a lot and Mick said the same about this parents. We got to wondering if it was because our fathers where both quiet men who didn’t like a lot of people? They just liked to come home and relax after a hard day at work and not have to make conversation, and the same applied on weekends. 5. Do they Get Along? Consider too, are the people you want to invite mutual friends? Do the … Continue reading →

Tips For Stress Free Entertaining for You and Your Spouse

Do you consider your spouse when entertaining, when deciding what to do or who you will invite over for a meal? Do you consider their likes and dilikes. Here are some helpful tips to make entertaining an enjoyable experience for you and your spouse. 1. Don’t overextend yourself or your spouse. Is your spouse one who likes big dinner parties with lots of guests and an elaborate meal? If he is not, I’d suggest you consider something simpler, like a barbecue or a casual meal or a sit down dinner with only a few guests. Mick knows for example that … Continue reading →