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Archive for the ‘Entertaining Ideas’ Category

Spring Color 2012

Posted in Entertaining at Home, Entertaining Ideas, Party Theme, tagged , , , , on February 21, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Everything seems a little gray and dreary in my world today, so I thought I’d share something that would brighten things up a bit – the “it” colors for Spring 2012!

I’m kind of excited about the color choices, because I actually like quite a few of them. While I’m not too excited about the Tangerine, Solar Power or Starfish for apparel options, they would make fun party colors!

Bellflower, Margarita and Sweet Lilac and colors I can definitely see doing some fun things with along with Driftwood. I have a friend who will look absolutely gorgeous in Cockatoo, my two personal favorites on this chart of Caberet and Sodalite Blue. Both of those colors speak to me, quite loudly in fact. I may even be wearing something Caberet colored right at this very moment.

I love that these colors seem cheery and bright, but still have some warmth and depth to them.

If you are looking for a reason or theme to host a party, why not have a spring colors party and invite over a few friends. Maybe each one of them could either wear or bring something (food dish, serving piece) in one of the colors.

You could talk about ways to combine colors, what options would make key wardrobe pieces for spring. You might also see who looks best in what colors. There is nothing like a gathering of girlfriends telling you you look fantastic in a certain color to make the world seem a little more sparkly and wonderful.

She Who Longs For Spring

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Deluge of Cats

Posted in Entertaining at Home, Musings, Pets, tagged , , , on February 20, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Just a few weeks ago, The Heinous Cat disappeared. I wrote about him coming home, much to our everlasting relief after being on the lam for 12 days.

Due to some very disturbing activity in our backyard the past few days, we’ve been wondering just exactly where he went and what he did while he was gone.

In just the past two days we have counted six, that’s right, SIX,  stray cats trying to make themselves at home. At first we thought we were seeing things, but nope, a head count revealed six extra cats. All big and way too friendly to be wild.

With The Heinous Cat and Miss Maizy, we really don’t want any more cats around, but the drop-in guests have been a bit reluctant to leave.

We are wavering between two theories.

1. The Heinous Cat was tired of only having Miss Maizy to swat at and be mean to so he went on a crusade to recruit some new blood. He told them it was a real happening party at his house, offering up incentives to get them to come. Unfortunately, his new recruits could all slap him into next Thursday without even blinking.

2. The Heinous Cat got lost and at every house he came to he told the resident cat about how much he missed his home and his Mama and his Captain Cavedweller. He cried about how they took such good care of him and he just wanted to find his way back home. It got the cats he talked to thinking about checking out some digs where all they are expected to do is eat, sleep and occasionally wander over for a nice back rub or head pet and they decided to come check it out.

3. Someone had way too many cats and decided to drive out in the country and dump them and they somehow ended up at our house.

Yeah, I’m going with theory number one myself.

Anyone need six stray cats?

She Who Doesn’t Like Felines Enough to Need Eight of Them

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Lemon Bundt Cake

Posted in Cake, Desserts, Entertaining at Home, Recipes, tagged , , , on February 17, 2012| 1 Comment »

I was working on the cover for my Savvy Spring Entertaining book (coming soon!) and I wanted something to feature on the front that was… well… springy!

It needed to shout “Spring” and be colorful and fun.

I found just what I was looking for with this Lemon Bundt Cake.

Bundt Cakes are so easy to make and so, so good with their moist, flavorful texture.

Garnished with lemon slices and a berry, I thought this did a great job of saying “Ah, Spring.”

Our cast of characters.

Mix up your batter. It is going to be really thick, so don't panic.

Pour into a bundt or angel food cake pan that has been properly greased. (Properly vs. improperly, which is what I usually manage)

Bang the pan a bit to get the air bubbles out and even off the top of the batter. Pop into a preheated oven and bake for about 50 minutes or until the top if lightly brown and the edges start to pull away from the pan.

While the cake is cooling prepare to have a divine experience.

Zest a fresh lemon. As the scent fills your kitchen with a divine fragrance that makes your knees week, try not to pass out on the floor. Spouses, children and pets may find that disturbing.

Microwave cream cheese frosting for about 10 seconds or until melted then pour over the top of the cake.

Pour on plenty of frosting. You wouldn't want anyone to get short-changed in the sticky-sweet department.

Sprinkle a little lemon zest on top and enjoy!

Lemon Bundt Cake

1 box Lemon Cake Mix

1 small package instant cheesecake pudding

1 cup sour cream

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup oil

3 eggs

1 tsp. lemon juice

2/3 cup  cream cheese frosting

1 fresh lemon

Strawberries (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Blend cake mix, oil, eggs, sour cream, water and lemon juice on medium speed until combined. The batter is supposed to be super thick, so don’t worry if it seems heavy.

Spoon it into a greased bundt pan, evening it up as best you can (I tap the pan on the counter to get out air bubbles and even up the batter). Bake for one hour or until it starts to pull away from the edges of the pan.

Let cool completely then invert on a cake plate. Zest a lemon and enjoy that mos fragrant experience. You may also want to cut a few thin slices of the lemon for garnish.

Put frosting into a microwaveable pitcher or bowl and nuke it for about 10 seconds. For this recipe I used  Cream Cheese Frosting. That was a very good decision. Pour liberally over the cake, letting it drizzle down the sides. Sprinkle on a little lemon zest.

Serve with a strawberry or two and enjoy this luscious, moist dessert!

She Who Loves Lemon Desserts Way Too Much!

 

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Valentine Heart Cakes

Posted in Cake, Desserts, Entertaining Ideas, Recipes, tagged , , , , on February 14, 2012| 1 Comment »

In honor of today, here is a fun little cake recipe sure to make your sweetie smile.

Ingredients

 

Bake cake according to package directions. I baked mine in little heart-shape pans that are as old as the hills. You could make cupcake or even a layered cake if you choose. You could also bake a sheet cake and use a cookie cutter to cut out heart-shapes.

 

Mix together whipped cream cheese, raspberry jam and cream cheese frosting for the filling.

 

Split the cakes in half and add the filling.

 

Frost with cream cheese frosting, add some festive sprinkles and enjoy!

 

Valentine Heart Cakes

1 cake mix

1 container of whipped cream cheese

1 container of cream cheese frosting

1/2 cup raspberry jam

Sprinkles

Bake cake according to package directions and let cool completely.

While it is cooling, mix together 1/2 cup whipped cream cheese, the raspberry jam and 1/3 cup of the frosting until well-blended.

Split cake(s) in half  and add a layer of filling before reassembling. Frost and decorate then watch your sweetie be surprised at this delicious little treat.

She Who Wishes Everyone a very Happy Valentine’s Day!

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