Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Archive for the ‘Entertaining Ideas’ Category

With New Year’s Eve just days away, it’s time to start thinking about some show-stopping fabulous dessert to serve to your party guests (or take to a celebration).

This is the time to pull out the stops, go decadent, make it over the top.

Oh, you get the idea.

Here are a few of my favorites!

pumpkin trifle finished

Pumpkin Mousse Trifle 

This is a quick and easy dessert to make, but tastes like you spent hours working on it. Any trifle would work, doesn’t necessarily have to be pumpkin. Use pound cake, pudding of your choice, whipped cream and add some berries or sliced fruit. Chocolate pudding with raspberries is always a great choice.

A peek inside the cake. Just look at all that yummy chocolate and strawberry sweet goodness.

Chocolate Bombe with Strawberry Filling

Drop a bombe on your guests and watch the explosion of delight. A Chocolate Bombe, of course. You could substitute raspberry for the strawberry filling if you so choose.

Cool completely in the oven, slice and serve with freshly whipped cream and berries.

Chocolate Pavlova with whipped cream and berries is simple, elegant and absolutely delicious.

cream puff finished

Cream Puffs with Vanilla Filling and Chocolate Topping are sure to earn you a few words of praise. Or many.

Bubbly Dessert

This dessert is fancy, elegant, and so fun!

Bubbly Dessert

1 tbsp. unflavored gelatin

2 cups cold white grape juice, divided

2 tbsp. sugar

2 cups club soda or champagne

8 fresh strawberries or raspberries

In a small saucepan, sprinkled gelatin over 1 cup of the cold grape juice. Let stand for one minute. Heat over low heat stirring until gelatin is completely dissolved. Stir in sugar. Remove from heat, stir in remaining grape juice. Cool to room temperature.

Transfer gelatin mixture to a large bowl. Slowly stir in soda or champagne. Pour half of the mixture into eight champagne or parfait glasses. Add a berry to each glass (if using a strawberry, remove hulls first). Chill glasses and remaining gelatin mixture until almost set, about an hour.

Place the reserved gelatin mixture in a blender, cover and process until foamy. Pour into glasses. Chill for three hours or until set.

Makes 8 servings.

She Who Needs to Buy Some Celery and Carrots

Read Full Post »

ring in new year

If you are hosting a New Year’s bash, here are some ideas I thought were fun for decor.

This great sign, to hang across a mantle, doorway or wherever you please is available on etsy.

kisses in jar

I love the kisses in a hurricane. Such a sweet idea from Michelle Paige.

waches and clocks

Lady Behind The Curtain has a cute idea using watches and clocks as table decor. Super fun and so simple.

black and gold hat

You can even make your own hats and party favors. Check out these ideas from One Charming Party.

If you aren’t sure where to begin, start with a basic color scheme. You can go black and silver or gold and cream. All white works or mix in silver and icy blue for a winter look.

feather hat

Your party can be as simple or as elaborate as you want. If you aren’t into party planning, many stores carry New Year party kits this time of year, or try a party rental store for a good selection. Everything you need, from hats to noisemakers, is generally included and basically gives you a party in a package.

However you decide to celebrate, be safe!

She Who is Looking Forward to a Happy New Year!

 

Read Full Post »

If you woke up this morning and suddenly realized today is Christmas Eve and you’ve not started your shopping, here are a few last minute gift ideas.

gift-cardGo for a gift card to their favorite store. Don’t know their favorite store? Try one to a nice restaurant, to the movie theater, where they buy coffee or get their hair done.

wine-bottle-caddy

Bottle of beverage. If they don’t drink alcohol, go for a nice bottle of sparkling cider (emphasis on nice – do not buy the $3 bottle of stuff, get a bottle of real sparkling cider). If they hate cider, put together a basket with mugs, hot chocolate mix and marshmallows.

basket of fruitsPut together a basket of their favorites foods – are they into jerky? Love fine chocolates? Healthy eater who likes fruit?

Single green book

If they like to read, get them a book by their favorite author – or a similar author. If you don’t know what types of books they like to read, get a gift certificate to a book store or a retail outlet like Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

coupon
Make up a booklet of coupons redeemable for fun items like a free coffee, an hour of house cleaning, etc.

If you know their hobbies, go to a locally owned store and purchase something that goes along with it. For example, if they love to knit, go to the local yarn shop and buy some of the latest yarns.

Good luck with your last minute flurry of gift buying!

She Who Is Glad to be Done Shopping!

Read Full Post »

red velvet pancakes

If you are looking for some great last-minute recipe ideas and resources, here are a few links you’ll want to check out.

Betty Crocker  – where you can find everything from brunch ideas to munchies for gifting. Considering my current obsession with all things red velvet, these pancakes are calling my name!

Taste of Home – great recipes, easy to follow instructions and simple to find ingredients.

cheeesecake

I mean, just look at these cheesecake. How fun is this?

Pillsbury – good place to go for appetizer recipes. I’m not sure I’ve made it though a party without opening at least one tube of crescent roll dough and wrapping it around some meat or cheese filling.

Tasty Kitchen – also a great place for a wide variety of fantastic recipes!

Whatever you decide to make for the upcoming holiday celebrations, I hope it is tasty, wonderful and well-received. Happy Baking and Cooking!

She Who Needs to Get Crackin’ with Her Holiday Menu

25 days 2011

Read Full Post »

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »