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Rebecca Hoskins
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Setting a Proper Dinner Table

As the fall and winter entertaining season comes around, I like to renew my knowledge of proper table settings. Why? Setting a proper table is easy and will not only help with entertaining skills but prepare us to be guests at a proper dinner party.

Proper dining etiquette tips have not changed much in over 100 years because they work. For instance, the spacing gives each guest plenty of room to have a meal comfortably. So, to prepare yourself for a dinner party or attending one, I’ve included four elements, as well as a few extra tips, that will help you with any formal dinner party.

SPACING:

  • Place settings should be evenly spaced and flatware balanced. The proper distance is 2 feet from center of plate to center of plate.
  • Cups and glasses are on the right and salad and butter plates on the left

SILVERWARE

Basic Placement

  • Place silverware in order of use; from outside (first course) main course. Don’t put out utensils you won’t use.
  • Forks to the left and knives and spoons to the right. The only exception to this rule is a small cocktail fork which goes on the outermost right side of the plate.
  • If dessert is to be served,  silverware should be placed above the dinner plate with the fork handle to the lift and the spoon or knife handle to the right.
  • Dessert utensils may properly be placed on a sideboard or table with the dessert. The same is true for coffee cups and saucers and coffee spoons.
  • Butter plate and spreader should be placed at the top of the fork service on the left. The butter knife or spreader should be laid at the top of the plate on an angle.

NAPKINS

  • Etiquette doyenne require napkins be placed to the left of the forks. I think you can properly place napkins in rings on the dinner plate. If the meal is a casual or family affair, I like to place napkins in the water-glass.
  • For a formal or semi formal dinner I always use cloth napkins. I actually use cloth napkins everyday but that is another matter. These can be obtained for a small price at a discount store.

 

DRINKS

  • Glasses should be placed in a straight line angled from the center to the outside of knife service. Place the largest glass first and put the rest in descending size order from largest to smallest. For instance, water-glass being largest goes at top, then wine glass and then dessert glass. Do not put on glasses you will not use. If you are not serving wine do not put out wine glasses.
  • It is perfectly acceptable to mix types and colors of glass-ware. For instance, silver water goblets with clear glass wine glasses or clear glass with colored glass.

EXTRAS

  • Chargers are a modern accessory that can be used in addition to a tablecloth or alone on a table to protect the surface from the heat of the plate. These are available in plastic, wood, woven straw and even capiz shells. The use of the charger saves from having a tablecloth to wash.
  • Use foil wrapped candy at holiday time as place cards by writing the name on the foil with a permanent marker. This is inexpensive, festive and acts as sweet treat for the guests.
  • Set up an after dinner drink and dessert station in the dining room so that guests may serve themselves.
  • Keep centerpieces low so that guests may have a conversation with those across or around the table.
  • Mix and match your flatware. Whether it be silver, silver plate or stainless, adding different patterns keeps the table interesting.
  • Be inventive. Use oversize coffee cups for salad bowls or maybe parfait glasses as wine glasses. I have used sherbert glasses as wine glasses and it worked quite [Read more…]

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Celebrate Everyday Life with A Simple Meal but a Fabulous Table

Most times we wait until a holiday or special occasion to bring out the nice dishes and decorate. I have begun to try to celebrate life at least a couple of times a week by dressing up simple meals or dressing up the yard for a shared glass of tea or wine on a cool summer evening. Most of us have all the ingredients to make this happen so the cost in approaching a daily celebration involves mostly our time. With just 30 extra minutes, most of this can be accomplished.

Setting the Table

I use white pottery dinner plates all the time. This enables me to change my salad or accent plate to make a big impact. I have collected many red accent pieces as the color adapts well for many holidays and other occasions, such as Christmas, Valentines, Fourth of July, Memorial Day and even Election Day.

The table I set this time is with white dinner plates, red salad plates, red cotton napkins and my vintage red stem wear. The cotton napkins are machine wash and come out of the dryer ready to fold and use. These particular napkins were my mothers and she used them much like I do. The bowls are colorful pieces picked up one at a time at a discount store. One is actually a large coffee cup that I have used here as a salad bowl. All of these pieces can be used for various occasions to dress up a table.

Adding That Special Touch

For the centerpiece, it is a potted plant that I have sitting in a window all the time. I try to keep this type of plant from the nursery because I do not always have fresh flowers handy. Plants work just as well as stunning centerpieces.

The place mats are some I have had for some time and prevent me from having to use a tablecloth (more laundry). These special touches are great accents to make your table even more beautiful.

What’s On the Menu?

The meal on this particular night was composed of a chicken Florentine bagged meal that took 10 minutes to heat on the stove. I had a half of watermelon left in the fridge and put together this delish salad with other items I had on hand. I always keep a loaf of deli french bread to serve with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. A glass of Sauvignon blanc complimented the meal.

WATERMELON SALAD

4 cups of seeded and chopped watermelon

1/4 cup sweet onion, chopped

2 limes, fresh juice

1/4 cup Kalamata olives, chopped

1/2 cup grated parmesan or crumbled feta cheese

Combine all but cheese and refrigerate for 30 minutes.  Add cheese as you serve.

I have found that my spouse and I linger a little longer and visit at the table more if it is set for an everyday celebration. I almost always set a third place hoping someone will drop in and join us in our everyday celebration. On this occasion, it was our lovely neighbor. Clean up was pretty easy. Just load the dishwasher and put the leftovers (if there are any) away.

Try having an everyday celebration and without a great amount of trouble you may find your family and friends lingering a little longer. The extra 30 or so minutes is well worth the result.

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Back to School Luncheon for Moms

Time is approaching for mothers to send their students back to school. So, I like to plan a luncheon for mothers on the day their children go back to school, especially since they’ve been busy getting them back into a routine. An ideal party for moms is a drop in luncheon so moms can schedule their lunch hour to stop in, catch up and tell their first day of school stories.

back-to-school-for-moms

THE LUNCHEON INVITATION

Most busy working mothers keep up with their children and each other electronically. A text or email is the perfect way to contact everyone to let them know they have a luncheon to look forward to on the first day of school. If you want to be more formal, there are many great invitation ideas at your local stationery store.

I like to have a drop in between the hours of 11:00 am and 1:30 pm so that I can give each ample time to make plans to attend during their lunch hour. Plus, offer delicious food that will make their lunch hour worthwhile.

THE TABLE

Even though we are not there yet I like to use a fall arrangement as the opening of school does signal a beginning of the change in seasons. I often like to use strips of dyed burlap as a base for my table decor. This comes in colors such as orange, yellow, red and green. Burlap can be cut and fringed so no sewing required.

Also, bright cocktail napkins and plates give this brunch a festive air. This is an opportunity to build a muffin tower using several cakes plates of different sizes. Don’t forget to use serving dishes of various sizes and heights makes the food table much more interesting.

THE MENU

Your options are limitless for this back to school party for moms. However, be sure to intrigue their taste buds. Here are a few options:

  • Sausage Cheese Cups (Recipe Follows)
  • Pear Walnut Muffin (Recipe Follows)
  • Watermelon Salad
  • Celery Stuffed with Homemade Pimento Cheese
  • Sparkling Punch with Lemonade and Cranberry Juice

The sausage cheese cups and the pear walnut muffins can be made ahead and frozen. The pimento cheese can be made up to a week ahead and stored in an air tight container in the refrigerator. Celery can be cleaned and cut and stored in a container of water the day before.

THE RECIPES

Sausage Cheese Cups

1 lb. ground pork sausage

3 cups all-purpose baking mix

1 1/2 cup (6 oz.) shredded cheddar cheese

1 10 oz. can cheese soup

3/4 cup water

Cook sausage in skillet until no longer pink and drain well. Combine cooked sausage, baking mix and shredded cheddar cheese in a bowl and make a well in the center. Stir together soup and water and add to well in center stirring mixture until all is moist. Place in prepared muffin tins and bake at 375 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes until golden. Makes 15 muffins.

Pear Walnut Muffins

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/3 cup whole wheat flour

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

2/3 cup packed brown sugar

2 tbl. canola oil

2 tsp. vanilla

1 8 oz. carton plain yogurt

1 large egg

1 1/2 cups finely diced pears

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly grind walnuts in food processor. Combine flours and all ingredients through salt including walnuts and combine with a wire whisk.  Make a well in the center. Combine brown sugar and next four ingredients and pour in the well. Stir until moistened and add pears and stir. Put in prepared muffin tins and bake for 20 to 25 minutes and place on wire rack immediately to cool.

GREAT ENTERTAINMENT

The conversations are always lively at this event and much catching up is done. In this electronic world it is a rare occasion when we get to enjoy one another face to face to share horror stories from the first day of school or console one another when their child was absolutely ecstatic to get back to school.

This event will become an event that all the moms you know will look forward to. It is the perfect opportunity to entertain in a simple way and have the opportunity to renew old relationships and add a new face or two to the mix.

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Back to School Party – A Party All Kids Will Enjoy

It is difficult to believe, but summer is coming to an end and most schools will be back in session in less than a month. This presents the perfect opportunity to entertain your student and let him or her reunite with friends or welcome new students into the neighborhood. Especially since everyone has gone in so many directions during the vacation break and may not have seen each other at all. So, a back to school party is the perfect opportunity to get everyone together.

THE INVITATION

First off, figure out how many children to invite. 8 to 10 children are a manageable number. The more space you have the more children you can include. Past 10 have another mother or two join you and help to supervise.

Once you’ve figured out how many to invite, you can decide on invitations. Be sure to find some cute party invites that are school themed. Also, don’t forget to include the date, time and place. If the party requires certain clothes, let the parent know when sending the invitation. A swimming party or a bowling party is an example of a party that might require certain clothes or shoes.

THE VENUE

There are many venues that are ideal for a back to school party. You can host this party anywhere from a swimming pool to your very own backyard.

Swimming parties are popular this time of year because of the heat and children tend to make their own fun when in the water. Be sure and hire a lifeguard or two or hold the event at a club or water park where lifeguards are provided as a part of the fee.

If the weather is predicted to be pleasant and you have space, an outdoor party is a great way to let the children blow off steam with outdoor games such as croquet, wiffle ball, and bocce. These old-fashioned lawn games are easy to set up and even those children who are non athletes can participate. I like to set up a timer and ring a bell so that the groups can switch games when the bell is rung. Don’t forget about the refreshments, they’ll definitely need something refreshing about these exciting games.

THE REFRESHMENTS

The most basic and easiest recipes satisfy most children. A few items I like to serve are pigs in a blanket and fruit sorbet. These treats can be made ahead and served at intervals. Pigs in a blanket are hand-held food and really don’t require a plate or even a napkin. Don’t forget to serve the fruit sorbet in colorful bowls with fun spoons. Both recipes follow. 

Another idea is to set up wash tubs around the lawn or pool and place iced down bottled water and some juice drinks to keep everyone hydrated.

Let children learn something new by placing garbage cans in strategic locations, which becomes a lesson in recycling by labeling the can with signs that say “plastic” and “cans”. Within the refreshments, you can have some tasty snacks and even a learning activity.

Pigs in a Blanket

Adjust recipe according to group size.  Four of each would satisfy most children.  Each recipe makes approximately ten  pigs.

1 package of puff pastry

1 package of ten bun size polish sausage with cheese

1 egg

Poppy seeds

Thaw puff pastry. Do one sheet at a time. Gently roll out pastry. Add water to beaten egg. Egg wash pastry with pastry brush. Cut pastry length wise in thirds and then again in thirds. Cut sausages in half and roll each in section of puff pastry. Egg wash tops and sprinkle with poppy seeds. Place on a cookie sheet prepared with cooking spray. Can refrigerate at this point but bring to room temperature before cooking. Bake at 425 degrees for approximately 20 to 25 minutes or until golden.

Watermelon Sorbet

This recipe makes one quart.  I think 1/2 cup is a generous serving size.

1 1/4 cups of sugar

1 14 cups of water

1 quart of cubed seeded watermelon

4 tbl. fresh lemon juice

In a medium saucepan bring sugar and water to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer without stirring until sugar is dissolved. Place in a bowl and cool to room temperature. Put watermelon that has been cut into chunks into a food processor and puree. Press mixture through a mesh strainer and combine with cooled sugar syrup. Chill for at least one hour. Pour mixture into frozen bowl of ice cram machine and mix for 25 to 30 minutes. Place in an airtight container and freeze for at least 2 hours.

THE FAVORS

Instead of giving each child that attends a favor, I like to ask each child to bring a school supply to be donated to a charity. In your invitation, include the message “bring a package of pencils” or “bring notebooks” and explain to them that these items are to be donated. The children will feel that they have contributed in a big way and such a great alternative to favors.

This back to school party is simple and a fun way to celebrate the beginning of a new school year. Including new students into the mix gives them the opportunity to meet other students in a fun environment. Although the preparation for this party is simple, it allows freedom for all the children to have fun and be involved in team activities that provide an avenue for practicing communication skills. Everyone will enjoy this party!

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Summertime and the Living is Easy

With all the heat, I don’t know about summer living being easy but if you’re looking to throw a party outside, there are a few tricks you can use to beat the heat. In the middle of a sweltering heat wave, a cool venue, cool drinks and light food make the weather more bearable.

The Venue

   

Your options are endless when it comes to finding the right summertime venue. One option is a relaxing soiree by the pool. This makes for a lovely, refreshing setting and keeps the guests feeling cool. You can invite guests to bring suits and towels to lounge in the water while enjoying a visit. Those who are shy about donning swimming attire can enjoy the poolside atmosphere without even wetting a toe.

A lakeside dock party can provide beautiful vistas and casual entertaining opportunities. If a pontoon is available, a sunset float on the water with drinks and food can make this a one-of-a-kind event. With safety in mind, be sure to provide unbreakable containers for the party barge.

A riverside gathering can provide unique scenery for family and friends. If you and your guests are outdoor types, a sunset canoe excursion can be set up for some casual exploration. A cooler in each boat filled with seasonal refreshments will make this an enjoyable and unforgettable occasion.

As you can see, there are plenty of venue ideas out there for a summer party.

Summertime Drinks

Along with a refreshing venue comes the need for cooling drinks. One drink loved by men and women alike is the “Bourbon Slush”.  It can be prepared ahead of time and travels well. The idea of serving a signature drink makes the party easy and keeps costs in check. Of course, water should be available for extra hydration in the summer sun. A flavorful way to mix it up would be to infuse your water with vegetables or fruits. Try seeded, peeled cucumbers or lemons and oranges. Place cold water in a pretty pitcher and float the fruit with lots of ice. YUM! If taking the party out on the water, plastic, colorful pitchers are available and will make serving easier and safer.

Bourbon Slush

Mix in freezer safe container:  2.5 cups tea (2.5 cups water + 2 tea bags)

1 12 oz container frozen lemonade, thawed

1 6 oz frozen orange juice, thawed

2 cups good bourbon

1 cup sugar

6 cups water

Freeze this mixture overnight.  Scoop frozen mixture into glass and top with lemon-lime soft drink or club soda.

The Party Menu

Keeping the menu light as possible is wise, especially with the hot weather. No one wants to eat something heavy when there is a heat wave. A light option would be one of my favorites, watermelon salsa, made with fresh, seasonal ingredients. The addition of sweet watermelon gives this classic snack a summer twist.

Watermelon Salsa

3 cups finely chopped seedless watermelon

1.5 tsp. lime zest (1 lime)

1/4 cup lime juice (3 limes)

1 tbl. sugar

Freshly ground pepper

1 cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped

1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped

1 small red onion, chopped

1/2 tsp garlic salt

Combine all ingredients and chill for at least four hours.  Serve with toasted pita chips.

Another great appetizer is flatbread pizza. You can offer a variety of toppings to serve any size crowd. Tasty flatbread can be bought in your local store, making your job [Read more…]

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Why Go All-Inclusive for Your Honeymoon?

Honeymoon: A traditional holiday taken by newlyweds to celebrate their marriage in intimacy and seclusion.

This is the official dictionary definition of honeymoon. You’ll find honeymoons come in all shapes and sizes depending on pocketbook and types of recreation that is enjoyed. So, how will you spend your holiday?

Beautiful ViewWhy All-Inclusive?

One type of honeymoon a new couple should consider is what has become know as an all-inclusive honeymoon. Even more specific for honeymooners is the “all-inclusive, couples only” trip. That means, the honeymooners will pay one price for food, drinks, lodging, amenities and tips and will be in an atmosphere where only couples are on the property. Sometimes spa treatments are a part of the package and couples massages are available. Children under 18 are not allowed. Strictly adults only.

Benefits of All-Inclusive

Newlyweds will not be concerned about the cost of every single drink, meal, or other amenity. A honeymoon can cost a tremendous amount of money and can be the beginning of conflict in a new relationship, but the all-inclusive eliminates this concern and allows the couple to concentrate on getting to know and enjoy one another.

Couples EverywhereTropical locals are most popular for honeymoons and for a reason. The sunsets and views are truly enticing. Most facilities allow couples to enjoy a delicious gourmet meal on the beach, which is truly romantic and paid for as part of your all-inclusive cost while watching the sun go down over the crystal clear water.

Plan, Plan, Plan

Don’t forget that planning is key. One important step in the planning an all-inclusive trip is reading the reviews. It would be most disappointing to spend a week in a resort where the food and service are poor because you would be stuck. All reputable facilities have internet web sites where reviews are allowed. Checking out your destination is essential for a successful honeymoon.

You will find that you will be left alone to enjoy your honeymoon. All-inclusive resorts can be the beginning of a beautiful relationship and takes cost out of the equation so consider this option for your honeymoon heaven.

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Celebrate Memorial Day

Before WWII, Memorial Day was known as Decoration Day. As such, it was a tradition to decorate the graves of soldiers who had lost their lives in war. As illustrated by this photo taken in the 1930’s, Decoration Day was taken quite seriously by its celebrants.

Today, what we know as Memorial Day, is celebrated on the last Monday of the month of May. Although the official government holiday was established to honor our dead veterans, many now use the day for mini holidays like going on picnics, spending time at the lake or traveling. Of course, there are still those that take flowers to the cemetery to decorate their loved ones tombstones.

The Ins and Outs of My Memorial Day Celebration

As the unofficial beginning of the summer vacation season, many people spend the day involved in numerous outdoor activities. Since it can be very hot already by the end of May, I like to entertain people who are not involved in those type of activities. Instead I prefer to host an indoor/outdoor party.

With the trees bloomed out, gardens planted and my porches spruced up, I am ready for the excitement of a memorial party. Because this is a casual party, I email or text invitations. I have a drop in, so those who might be returning from the lake or a trip can feel free to drop in. As there are always plenty of food and beverages, we often invite people we run into in the days leading up to the holiday.

My Decorations For The Day

Every serving area (and I have many) has a patriotic theme. I love the simplicity of this arrangement in a basket. With a few potted geraniums from your local nursery and some dollar store flags and you have a very appropriate patriotic centerpiece.


Fresh plants from the local nursery decorate the screened porch and are readily available at your local nursery. As it is early in the growing season, all plants are young and small but will provide big design if you take proper care.

In the above photos, you’ll see that the patio is party ready having been cleaned and decorated with plants that have been newly planted. Now, my guests will have several areas to gather depending on the weather.

Memorial Day Menu

I keep my menu simple:

  • Chicken Salad Sandwiches
  • Sassy’s Wieners
  • Shrimp Dip
  • Fruit and Cheese Plate
  • Bourbon Punch, Lemonade and Iced Tea

Just for fun, I will share my mother’s recipe for Chicken Salad:

Boil some chicken.

Peel some celery

Boil some eggs

Put this into food processor until chopped; do not puree’. Add a dollop of mayonnaise (not salad dressing) and a dollop of Durkees’. You must have Durkees dressing. I keep four or five containers on hand in my pantry. Do not expect me to share if you do not return the glass quart jar I used for you before. Enjoy.

The recipe for the Shrimp Dip is as follows:

8 oz. Cream Cheese (room temp)

4 tbl. Chilie Sauce

1 tsp. onion juice

1 tsp. lemon juice

1 lb. shrimp

Peel and devein shrimp. Cook shrimp in shrimp boil mix. (I use medium shrimp). Cut into bite size pieces. Mix all other ingredients in food processor until smooth. Use milk if necessary to thin. Keep refrigerated but remove early enough to knock the chill off. I use Fritos with this dip. I will double or triple for this party. It will keep several days.

Memorial Day can be celebrated in many ways. If you don’t have a lake or stream to go to, or you want to stay out of the traffic, you might want to try this type of party to entertain yourself and your friends. With most going back to work the next day, it may turn into the party to remember.

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Party of One for Mother’s Day

Our family traditions change as our circumstances change.

Since my spouse and I have both lost our mothers, we spend the morning at church with our daughter and then head to our club for a special meal that neither she nor I must cook. After a full morning I have given myself the gift of a party for one. I treat myself to a lazy afternoon on the porch. I read, daydream, enjoy the new spring plantings and fuel all of this with coffee or iced tea as I enjoy this rare moment of quiet. There are always magazines to catch up with. Sometimes I will have a slice of cake, if I have it or a snack of cheese and fruit. It is a party of one where I can celebrate myself, my mother and my daughter. Celebrate a life many times too busy to enjoy.

Mother’s Day Ideas

There are numerous activities that you can do to celebrate Mother’s Day. Here are a few ideas that mothers will love:

  • Traditional Mother’s Day celebrations include a meal with generations of mothers and children and flowers. There are brunches, lunches, and buffets at local restaurants.

This happy bunch is three generations sharing a festive mother’s day brunch.

  • Some mother’s prepare their own meal to share with their children and grandchildren.

Here a table is set with the grandmother’s vintage china and crystal to honor the mother and grandmother at an intimate brunch.

  • Many times distance keeps us from our loved ones so a card or a bouquet of flowers must suffice.

This is a card sent to my husband’s grandmother by her daughter at the beginning of WWII. I always put the framed card out to celebrate the season and remember our ancestors.

I love my porch this time of year. It is a gift and a celebration in itself. The air is fresh, the plants and trees are green and there is the promise of new beginnings. So promise yourself to find a special place and give yourself a party for one.

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And They’re Off…Celebrate The Kentucky Derby

These famous words begin the greatest two minutes in sports. The Kentucky Derby has been a traditional horse race held at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Folks flock to this Kentucky town to watch the two-minute race and share in the celebration that traditionally includes roses, hats and mint juleps. We may not ever be able to join the folks in Louisville, but we can create our own celebration steeped in tradition to share with our friends. A few enthusiastic friends, some mint juleps, hats, roses and appropriate food are all you need.

How To Celebrate The Derby At Home

I like to give six couples a week or two notice that we will be celebrating the Derby at our home. This gives the ladies time to find a hat or embellish one they already own. Notices can be sent by text or email. If you want to be real fancy, handwritten invitations are the way to go.

If you are only sending five or six invitations, it isn’t that much trouble. The note might read something like this:

” Please join us on Saturday, May 4 at 2:00 p. m. for a Derby Day party. We will be serving mint juleps and traditional Derby food. Ladies get your best hats ready. We look forward to having you enjoy the race with us. Best, Jane and John Doe “

Starting your celebration at 2:00 gives your guests plenty of time to enjoy libations and food while visiting before the 4:00 race begins. The men in the group may even want to make up a betting pool, but I always leave that to them. Men always seem to know better about those things.

On to the Libations and Food…

I am fortunate to have 12 silver mint julep cups. Well, actually 4 of these are what my mother referred to as Jefferson cups, but the size works here. If you don’t have any silver, glass is the way to go as glass julep cups are used at the official Kentucky Derby.

Now, the key to a mint julep is to use crushed ice. I don’t crush it myself as a local fast food outlet will sell a 10 lb. bag to me for a couple of dollars. Mint is a must have for this drink and I also grow mint in my yard, but you can get this at your local grocery store. The mint julep makes this party truly festive.

Mint Julep

Serving Size: One Mint Julep

Crushed ice

2 tbl. mint syrup (Recipe Below)

2 oz. good Kentucky Bourbon

Chill glasses.  Fill with crushed ice. Add 2 tbl. mint syrup, 2 oz. bourbon. Stir and serve. Garnish with a mint sprig.

Mint Syrup

2 cups granulated sugar

2 cups water

1 bunch of mint

Combine sugar and water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and boil for 5 minutes without stirring. Remove from heat and pur over a handful of mint leaves and crush with a spoon. Cool and refrigerate syrup overnight in a closed jar. Remove mint leaves. Will keep in the refrigerator several weeks.

Serve this traditional drink with pimento cheese sandwiches, cucumber sandwiches and I like to do something substantial like ham and biscuits. The pimento cheese can be made 4 or 5 days ahead, as well as the spread for the cucumber sandwiches. The ham can be cooked several days ahead and set out to come to room temperature. The biscuits can be cooked early in the day (I use the frozen ones and they are great). If you feel the need for something sweet, lemon bars can be made ahead and will be a good addition.

It is always wise to serve enough food to keep your guests from leaving your home inebriated. Also, I always have other drinks available as not everyone will partake of the mint julep. Wine, beer, and lemonade should suffice. As you will know your crowd, you can decide what they might drink.


Run for the Roses

Roses, as many as you can cut or afford, should be everywhere. Roses should serve for the centerpieces for the serving table, cocktail table, powder bath, etc. This is the run for the roses after all.

With a little effort on your part, your friends will enjoy this party so much that they will look forward to the next year with much excitement. Get your best hat ready and  give yourself some time to organize this great party so you will be ready for those three famous words “and they’re off”.

Wedding Flowers: From Palette to Petals

Flowers set the stage for a wedding by adding color, texture, and personality to every detail. The right blooms complement your color palette and help create the mood, whether soft and romantic, bold and dramatic, or fresh and modern. With thoughtful floral choices, your wedding can feel personal and beautifully reflective of your style!