perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Family and friends are the best tonic to counter a week of devastating headlines. With our loved ones scattered across the country one of my husband and my biggest blessings is that we have friends nearby that feel just as close as relations. Thankfully this past Saturday night we already had two such couples on the books for a laid back dinner.
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
I’m having my old Cleveland girlfriends down for a Dayton sleepover to kick off my fiftieth birthday. Cocktails, dinner, and brunch (before I ship them north on their merry way). And to make sure it is a chipper car ride back I want to make sure they have a scrumptious, and substantial, send-off. The morning after my wedding anniversary I had
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food detective
Just wrapped up a one-week excursion to visit my youngest who is studying abroad in Granada Spain. With planes, trains and automobiles we arrived in this sleepy Andalucía city. As we pulled into the picturesque Hopspes Palacio de los Patos these weary travelers were greeted with one of the best cups of coffee and a delectable plate of sweet treats.
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the hostess with the mostest hotel
One of the wonderful things about having a vacation spot is that people you love want to come stay with you. The challenge is how to enjoy yourself with a houseful of house guests. Almost anyone can act like a short order cook and housekeeper but who wants to visit that. I’ve never played football but I like football movies. In every one
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the hostess with the mostest hotel
In the Cayman Islands we had some incredible meals on Seven Mile Beach- Agua, Blue and Luca. It’s funny how memorable dishes are; they sometimes come from the most unexpected of places. This takeaway is from the endless breakfast buffet at the Marriott, with lines almost as ceaseless. Because we were dining out (and large) in the evenings
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perfecting the done before they arrive party- a work in progress
About to kidnap all five kids for our first destination holiday, really shaking things up this holiday season. That said there are circumstances that are certainly sacrosanct, so stockings are stuffed and tucked in my bag (six in all because the big guy would be bummed if he was left out of that fun). And because Christmas eve morn is literally
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what to bring
Here’s a sweet holiday/hostess treat that’s sure to cheer up the chilliest of mornings. There is nothing quite like pure maple syrup, especially if you know the trees that were tapped. Last weekend my husband went back to his family farm and picked up several pints of this year’s yield. Warm maple syrup conjures up many memories.
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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!