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Archive for the ‘Entertaining at Home’ Category

Wish it Was Spring Party Theme

Posted in Entertaining at Home, Entertaining Ideas, Party Theme, tagged , , on January 25, 2011| Leave a Comment »

 

If you and your friends are like me and my friends, we are so ready for spring!

Gather them together for a fun “Wish it Was Spring” themed party.

This party theme is super simple, but will bring you and those gathered around your table much joy and it just might be the thing needed to get you through until spring arrives!

Create a colorful invitation and send to your friends. You could do this via email, in person or snail mail. If you email the invite, there are hundreds of colorful choices at evites.com (and it is FREE!).

Cover the table with a bright colored table cloth – something pink, fuschia, yellow and green would fit the bill. If you don’t have a bright table covering, go for a neutral and use bright colored dishes. I’ve got some apple-green pieces that just scream “springtime.” You could also use a piece cloth from the fabric store or pick up an inexpensive sheet at a store like Walmart.

Create some springtime fun around the table by tying flatware and napkins in a bundle with raffia twine and tucking in a packet of seeds. Yes, they are out in the stores already! You can also create a fun centerpiece with a terra cotta planter, garden gloves, some garden tools and seeds. Have a garden-themed guessing game and let the winner take home the centerpiece.

 

Another centerpiece option would be a simple vase of tulips. They are available in stores now as well. You could also float individual tulip stems in little bowls or dishes at each place setting.

Keep your menu really simple. A huge green salad filled with fresh veggies and grilled chicken is a wonderful meal when accompanied by a loaf of crusty warm bread. Finish the meal with a citrus or berry dessert, like lemon or raspberry bars.

To keep the conversation spring-focused, have your guests share a favorite spring memory or what is the first sign of spring for them or what one thing they enjoy most about spring. Share gardening tips or planting ideas.

Sit back, enjoy the companionship and give a bit of spring-like refreshment to your spirit!

Happy Entertaining!

From She who longs for Spring

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Chocolate Coconut Kisses

Posted in Cookies, Desserts, Entertaining at Home, Recipes, tagged , , on January 21, 2011| Leave a Comment »

I promise this is the last post that will refer to my Grandma’s 1961 edition of Betty Crocker Cookbook.

When I was looking for a recipe from the cookbook to share today, I kept coming back to a simple recipe entitled Kisses. It seems way back when, before sweet drops of chocolatey goodness were wrapped in foil and mass-marketed by Hershey’s, when you talked about kisses in reference to baking you were talking about a cookie with a meringue base.

Not only are these cookies super easy to make, they are drop-your-teeth delicious!

Seriously!

I could have eaten them warm from the oven all day and not looked back. Imagine the wickedly good topping that goes on top of german chocolate cake coming in cookie form (minus the nuts). Yep, the cookies are that good!

 

Ingredients for Kisses

 

You will whip the egg whites until they start to form peaks and take on a lovely glossy sheen.

 

Although the original recipe called for brown wrapping paper, I'm using parchment paper to line the pan.

Mix in chocolate and coconut.

 

Drop by spoonful onto parchment lined pan.

 

Then enjoy!

 

Chocolate Coconut Kisses

½ cup egg whites (4 medium eggs)

1 ¼ cups sugar

¼ tsp. salt

½ tsp. vanilla

2 ½ cups moist shredded coconut

2 oz. unsweetened chocolate, melted and slightly cooled

Heat oven to 325 degrees. Separate eggs and beat whites until frothy. Gradually add in sugar. Continue beating with mixer until very stiff and glossy. Stir in salt, vanilla, coconut and chocolate until mixed. Drop by heaping teaspoonfuls two inches apart on a baking sheet lined with parchment (the original recipe called for ungreased brown wrapping paper). Bake about 20 minutes or until set and delicately browned. Lift off paper, lay wet towel on hot baking sheet. Place paper on towel. Steam will loosen kisses. Slip off with a spatula. Eat one, and savor the bliss.  Force yourself to share.

Happy Baking!

Shanna

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Setting a buffet, Betty style

Posted in Entertaining at Home, Entertaining Ideas, Referrals, tagged , , , on January 19, 2011| Leave a Comment »

In my skip down memory lane, today’s post in my week long sharing from my Grandma’s 1961 Betty Crocker cookbook is this fun page on table settings. It gives you some great tips and ideas. In the photo, you see a double-sided buffet.

Here is a two-page spread of a beautiful buffet set out for casual entertaining. Makes you kind of hungry, doesn’t it?

I’ve written in the past about how to set up a buffet. You can find the simple tips here. I’ve also taken photos on how to set one up quickly using a holiday theme. You can find it here.

You can find all sorts of fun tips and ideas on the Betty Crocker website as well. Go to the entertaining section here and see what wonders wait for your exploration!

Happy Entertaining!

Shanna

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Meal Planning with Betty C

Posted in Entertaining at Home, Entertaining Ideas, Referrals, tagged , , on January 18, 2011| Leave a Comment »

As you know from yesterday’s post, this week I’m sharing tidbits of trivia from a wonderful Betty Crocker cookbook I inherited from my Grandma.

One of the sections of the book I loved was on meal planning. It offers meal planning tips for just about every event you could think of. I was especially fond of the “Once in a Lifetime Parties” section on this page.

How many of us skip that whole step of meal planning, except for special occasions? Look at the hands out there! I do not stand alone!

Oh, I can plan meals when I want to. The problem is too often I don’t. I might plan the main dish and then throw together whatever I can find at the last minute. How much more flavorful and meaningful would mealtime be if I spent some time planning the meals? I’m guessing a whole bunch.

When I do take time to plan the meals, things come together so nicely, flavors compliment each other and all is right in the world.

If you are looking for some inspiration to get you started, check out cookbooks you may already own. A lot of good cookbooks will have a section on meal planning. Or go online.

Betty Crocker’s website has a wealth of great information. If you go here, you’ll find ideas for double-duty dinners! Check it out!

Happy Cooking and Happy Entertaining!

She is is planning her next meal!

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