In honor of Father’s Day, I’m dedicating today’s post to my wonderful Dad. Although nearing octogenarian status, he has managed to remain a kid at heart all these years.
Among the many things my Dad and I share is a sweet tooth. Growing up on a farm, I used to spend hours traipsing after Dad as he irrigated, worked fields, harvested, and ran to town for parts. When I was pretty small, he was renting an acreage just a few miles from our place. If we took the long way around to get there it meant driving past the little country store in our community. No trip was complete unless we made a stop. The store was dark inside with old wooden floors and was a fascinating blend of odors – spices coming from the meat case, cleaning supplies and candy. It was the candy that always got my particular attention.
Located directly behind the check-out counter was long set of shelves that you could walk all the way around, drooling over all sorts of sweet temptations. There were lemon drops, candy cigarettes, bubble gum and all kinds of chocolate. Some favorites that Dad and I liked to share were Neccos, Bit-O-Honey, Big Hunk and Butterrum Lifesavers. When it was hot, sometimes we skipped the candy and went right to the freezer for an ice cream sandwich or an icy cold bottle of Coca Cola.
Before we got out to the pickup, there was always the reminder of “now don’t tell your mother.” I’m sure Mom wondered how, with all her diligent policing of my toothbrushing activity, I always had so many cavities. But spilling the beans would have been the end of those great trips and all the sweets, so Dad and I both kept quiet.
Through the years, Dad and I shared a lot of candy. I was recently excited to see one of my very favorite candy bars – the Idaho Spud – is available online. http://www.idahospud.com/candy-idaho-spud-bar.php If you’ve never had a Spud Bar, you’ve got to try one. A soft, cocoa-flavored marshmallow center is dipped in dark chocolate then sprinkled with coconut. As good as it is at room temperature, they get even better when frozen.
Whenever I see Idaho Spuds or Neccos in a store, they remind me of my Dad and all the good times we had, especially in the summer.
So Happy Father’s Day, Daddy! And to all you Dads out there. May your day be one filled with all the things you enjoy the most!
Archive for the ‘Entertaining at Home’ Category
Happy Father’s Day!
Posted in Desserts, Holidays, tagged Father's Day, Tribute to Dad on June 19, 2009| 4 Comments »
Outdoor Open House
Posted in Entertaining at Home, Entertaining Ideas, tagged busy host, Entertaining at Home, Entertaining Ideas, quick and easy ideas on June 12, 2009| 1 Comment »
As we head into the warm, wonderful days of summer, think about hosting an outdoor open house. Most people love to be outside in the fresh air and what better way to connect with family and friends than at an outdoor party!
Here are a few quick tips to make your outdoor celebration run more smoothly:
• Position ice-filled coolers, buckets or even large planters filled with small bottles of water and your choice of beverages in several locations. Make sure guests are always in easy reach of hydration.
• Fill a basket, sand-bucket or other fun container with outdoor necessities like bug-spray, sunscreen, and hand wipes.
• If you don’t have a lot of shade, bring out a basket of assorted ball caps and wide-brimmed straw hats. You don’t want sunburned guests when you entertain.
• Have citronella candles and umbrellas at the ready to protect guests from an evening attack of mosquitoes or an unexpected downpour.
• If you don’t have outdoor speakers, bring out a CD player or radio. Make sure the music is loud enough for guests to enjoy, but not loud enough to disturb the neighbors.
• Make sure hot foods are hot and cold foods are cold. In the heat, it is very easy for food to spoil quickly. Put hot dishes in servers that can be warmed by sterno or votives or set on warmed bricks. Put cold foods on ice. Use dip chillers or create bowls of ice by placing water in a bowl to cover the bottom and freeze. Add more water, place a smaller bowl inside so water comes up sides and freeze. Once frozen, remove the ice bowl from the larger bowl. Use the smaller bowl inside of the ice bowl to serve. Make sure you place ice bowls over a pan or somewhere they can drip. Or fill festive containers with ice and nestle your bowls inside, like the red wagon shown here.
• Guests are generally good to clean up after themselves if you provide a place for it. Have garbage cans handy and have a dishpan or container to handle dirty utensils and dishes.
Invite some guests over this weekend, relax, enjoy and take the party outdoors! If you have any outdoor entertaining tips to share, I’d love to hear from you. Post a comment, subscribe to my newsletter or contact me directly.
Happy Entertaining!
It’s All About Relationships
Posted in Entertaining at Home, Entertaining Ideas, tagged busy host, Entertaining at Home, Entertaining Ideas, how to entertain on June 5, 2009| Leave a Comment »
Relationships are so important in all areas and aspects of our lives. Sometimes we can get so busy with life we forget it is the people in our lives that make it unique and special. Building and maintaining relationships can bring us much joy and satisfaction and sometimes those relationships can assist us in unexpected ways.
The other day I needed to send a gift and called upon my friend, who is also an amazing florist, to work her magic. She created something that far exceeded my expectations and thrilled the recipient of the gift. I know I can call on Heidi any time and she will deliver something spectacular. A step beyond that, my husband also knows anytime there is a flower-sending occasion, Heidi will take good care of him. We both refer Heidi to anyone looking for a florist because she is not only great at what she does, she is a friend.
Build up relationships with your favorite florist, baker, butcher, produce-grower, and printer. When you entertain, think about how much simpler it would be if you already had relationships with these people. Your florist can give you tips on flower selection, the baker can help you out with breads and desserts, the butcher can offer you advice on choice cuts, you’ll get the pick of the best product in season and your invitations will be beautifully printed.
Relationships make the world go round so why not start today on making the relationships in your world a little sweeter. You’ll be especially glad you did the next time you entertain.
Choosing Centerpieces
Posted in Centerpieces, Entertaining at Home, Entertaining Ideas, tagged Centerpieces, Entertaining at Home, Entertaining Ideas on June 2, 2009| 2 Comments »
When you are entertaining, place a centerpiece on your table for some added “Wow” factor.
If you are hosting a formal plated dinner party, remember to keep the centerpiece out of the line of vision across the table. If you are not sure where that line is, sit at the table and look across. You don’t want a mass of flowers and greens blocking your view of others. For that reason, keep centerpieces low or put on a pedestal above the line of vision. With a long table, you could do a grouping of small bouquets in low containers, interspersed with votives. Make sure the centerpiece doesn’t take up too much of the dining space if you are using a round table.
If you want to go high with the centerpiece, keep in mind the height of your ceiling. A really tall centerpiece will not work well with a low ceiling or low-hanging chandelier.
For buffet-style entertaining, you have an endless array of choices. Anchor one corner of the table with your centerpiece and make sure it is the highest visual point.
With any type of centerpiece that will be around food, steer away from highly scented florals. They can overpower the food smells and some guests may be bothered by strong scents. Also, choose florals that don’t “shed.” The last thing you want is a trail of little green fronds floating into your food.
Mirrored trays and candles are nice accents for your centerpiece and create a beautifully finished look. Have fun with your centerpiece – let it be a reflection of you!
To find the votive centerpiece used to create this arrangement, subscribe to my newsletter or click here.
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©2009-2018 Shanna Hatfield
Savvy Entertaining 