How do you pull a party off in a matter of minutes? The answer is by planning and prepping everything weeks, months and hours ahead of time. The secret to successful entering is in the pre-work. There is actually a direct correlation between the amount of time you put into planning and the ease with which your party comes off. Knowing we wanted to
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Why is it when you want to take in every little minute the pace of life seems to ramp itself into a frenzy. In the past couple weeks my husband had what seemed like the last of an endless array of birthday celebrations, my baby graduated from college, and we held my sweet mom’s memorial service. All milestone moments. To help my youngest daughter
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Can’t believe tomorrow is July. That said it is time to get your grill on! One of the things I like best about grilling is that most things need to be marinated and that means prepped and placed in a bag hours ahead of time. Another little secret is that most grilled meats should sit for at least fifteen minutes. And if that’s the case then why not
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I’m in the midst of a summer love affair with tomatoes. Can’t tell you how excited I get when I try something new and absolutely adore it. This happened at my husband’s surprise birthday breakfast for his entire office at our home. I usually don’t hire caterers. But because this party was at 8 AM, at my house, AND a surprise I knew I needed
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Well the last week was filled with activity. Monday night a dinner in honor of our visiting floral design presenters. Thursday morning a surprise birthday brunch at our house for my husband’s entire office. Saturday night- cocktails and a buffet for Dave’s actual 60th birthday. Three parties, three menus, three guest lists, three centerpieces...
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The past couple weeks have been absolutely crazy. A last minute trip to Florida to help my dad pack up. A flood in our house in California. My husband’s 60th birthday week filled with a myriad of get-togethers, parties and surprises. And last fall I invited nationally renowned floral designers Martha Marsh and Cathy Miller to come to Dayton to give
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Some fires smolder until they burst into flames. My husband’s frustration with our debunked bundled cable was nearing the boiling point. No Internet, no phone and no golf on TV. Thankfully for all of us his actual course was across the street and he could take his aggression out on their tees and bunkers. While I waited for our sixth cable man
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There are times when your battery is so low it’s unable to hold a charge. Last week my husband and I headed west to our house in the desert. It wasn’t until the third day that I realized how utterly drained I’ve been. This long winter has had more than it’s share of loss. Each time I’ve attempted to apply myself to some project I’ve succeeded only
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It is with a heavy heart that I report that my dear sweet mom left this earth the morning of March 28th. She was the epitome of grace and elegance. Everything she touched made the world more beautiful. My mother was a purist. Perfection seemed to be her norm. I was so very blessed to live and learn by her side. Everything I know about entertaining
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It’s time we set our clocks an hour ahead in anticipation of spring. And while the weather may not be cooperating there’s no reason our entertaining menus can’t oblige. Last Monday I hosted a dinner to welcome our national judges for my garden club’s photography show “Through the Seasons”. Despite the fact the Weather Channel’s ten-day line up
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Wherever I find myself, I’m happiest with a full dining room table. As a former professional chef and caterer I want to share what I’ve learned over the past three decades of entertaining. On this site you’ll find tricks of the trade to help even the most harried of you pull off a seemingly seamless fête. Come join the conversation! read more →