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Archive for the ‘Entertaining Ideas’ Category

White Out Party

Posted in Entertaining Ideas, Party Theme, tagged , , on September 6, 2011| Leave a Comment »

Here’s the scoop – there are three camps that set up right after Labor Day. One that insists all white be put away until summer, one that thinks white should be worn year-round, and the third camp that really doesn’t care either way.

Growing up, my mom was a card-carrying member of camp no-white-after-Labor-Day. We wouldn’t dream of wearing white in September.

As I sit in my office with the air-conditioner running looking outside at sunshine and blue skies, it seems kind of silly to pack up all the white stuff just yet.

One fun way to celebrate white (whether you intend to pack it all up soon or not) is to host a White Out Party.

Your invitations, decorations, serving pieces – should all be white.

Encourage guests to wear white as well.

The only color will be the bright bursts coming from your food.

How fun would that be?

You could use white sheets to cover chairs, tables, etc. Use a mixed and eclectic assortment of white and clear glass dishes. The pieces don’t need to match, just be of the white or cream family.

Use white hydrangeas or other white flowers for a centerpiece.

Dip pretzels in white chocolate and package in little clear plastic snack bags, tie with a white ribbon and send home with each guest.

Just imagine how beautiful an all white table would like with one of the amazing sunsets that happen this time of year as a backdrop? So pull out your favorite white outfit and plan one last white hooray before fall settles in.

She Who Is In Camp White Out

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Labor Day Party

Posted in Entertaining Ideas, Holidays, Party Theme, tagged , , on August 30, 2011| 1 Comment »

Today I’m sharing a post from last year with some Labor Day party theme ideas.

Enjoy!

 

Labor Day Party Theme Ideas

 

Labor Day is coming right up. How is that possible? Where did the summer go? If you find it, let me know. I’m convinced I didn’t get my full share of summer-time fun this year.

Since we can’t bring summer back, instead think ahead and plan a Labor Day party for the long weekend. The key is to keep it casual and relaxed.

The Labor Day holiday was first celebrated in the early 1880s  as a way to honor workers for all of their contributions to the strength and well-being of our nation. In that spirit, encourage honor your guests with a relaxing party. Fill your outdoor gathering area with lawn blankets, comfy chairs, and oodles of pillows.  The theme of the day is taking it easy!

Patriotic decorations are perfect for Labor Day. Mix things up a bit by adding a warm gold or bright yellow color to the red, white and blue  scheme. Use candles and flowers from your garden for decorations. Keep it simple by slipping cut stems into mason jars or empty tin cans with the labels removed. Tie with a raffia ribbon close to the top of the container.

Your invitations could have a barbecue theme, patriotic colors, stars, flip flops or paper lanterns. Just choose something fun that speaks to you.

If your event will last into the evening hours, make sure you have plenty of warm light through tiki torches, lanterns, garden stakes, hanging lights, or candles. Also, make sure you have citronella candles strategically placed throughout the area to thwart the insects.

The menu should be foods that are simple and easy. You can go potluck or go the route of a traditional barbecue with hamburgers and hotdogs. Just remember your condiment rules. You could also barbecue skewers. Keep the menu simple and easy for you. Round out your main dish with a  big green salad, a loaf of french bread, watermelon slices and a slam-bang dessert like decadent chocolate cake.

Make one or two signature beverages instead of offering a bunch of options. Fill a bucket, kids wagon or large bowl with ice and set in individual bottles. Have pitchers or jars of ice water. Whatever beverages you decide to offer, just make sure you have gracious plenty.

You can have games available like lawn croquet or horseshoes. If you have a large gathering you could split the attendees into two teams and play a game of flag football, softball or volleyball. Just remember to have fun!

Don’t forget the music. You can play some theme-appropriate tunes like “She Works Hard for the Money,” “Working 9 to 5,” and “Working in  Coal Mine.”

Do as much prep work as you can ahead of time so once your guests arrive, you are focused on them, not on the 36 things that you don’t have done.

Sit back, relax, take a deep breath and enjoy this last hurrah of summer-time entertaining.

Happy Entertaining!

 

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Graham Cracker Cookies

Posted in Cookies, Desserts, Entertaining at Home, Recipes, tagged , , on August 26, 2011| 1 Comment »

When I was a kid, I thought one of the best cookies ever was one my mom would often have waiting when I trudged off the school bus.

Back before I was banned from chocolate, these delicious goodies would be piled on a plate ready for me to inhale with a glass of cold milk.

I had no idea then that my mom whipped these together as I was no doubt stepping off the bus. I was sure she had labored hours making them just for me.

During the abyss of my childhood when no chocolate was allowed, Mom would make them with other fillings like plain ol’ vanilla. But nothing quite beat the sweet, buttery goodness of the chocolate filling.

I’m going to share the secret recipe for these cookies with you because you could whip them up for your kids in a matter of seconds or you can set out the ingredients and let them make their own. Even better, right?

So there you have it… the ingredients and recipe and…

Really. That is it.

You take two graham crackers, generously spread with frosting, sandwich together and enjoy! Now if you wanted to get all fancy pants on me, you could make your graham crackers from scratch then make your butter cream frosting from scratch. But that would take a few hours out of your life you could spend eating bon bons or sitting with your feet up reading a good book. My mother, of course, made the frosting from scratch.  But I’m more of a pop the top on a can of frosting and go from there kind of gal.

Take a few seconds out of your busy day, make one and be glad you indulged! Or have the kids make one for you!

She Who Loves These Easy Treats

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Baseball Party Theme

Posted in Entertaining at Home, Entertaining Ideas, Party Theme, tagged , , on August 23, 2011| 2 Comments »

Sah-wing, Batter, Batter!

As the summer begins its descent toward fall, why not host a fun Baseball themed party. I mean, afterall, what is more American than baseball, hot dogs and apple pie?

Send out some fun invitations with baseball themed paper or cut out white circles, draw in red lines for ball stitching and print out your invitation.

Use baseballs, bats and gloves for your decorations. Gloves could hold a battery-operated votive on your table or a small vase of flowers. Set your buffet with a bat or two and a variety of balls meandering along the table.

Have everyone come wearing their favorite team’s colors. Baseball hats are a must! If anyone wants to come in a full baseball costume, let them.  If you are outside and have room, you could have some baseball related contests like who can throw the ball the farthest or slide into base the best or, if you have plenty of people and room – you could have your own baseball game. If you are short on space, it would be a simple thing to move your gathering to a park where you could spread out and have plenty of room for fun.

Keep the menu simple and authentic… serve hot dogs! Offer peanuts in the shell. You can warm them by popping in the oven for a few minutes, then serve in miniature brown paper bags. For dessert you could have baseball cupcakes. These are cute and easy to make. Just frost with white frosting then draw on the red “stitching.” You could also serve Apple Pie or have a bonfire and make S’mores.

And make sure you sing at least one rousing rendition of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.”

She Who Thinks Warm Peanuts Sound Pretty Good

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