it’s a date

resurrecting  the cocktail party- i’ll drink to that
Categories: Appetizers, Cocktail Party, Posted on September 1, 2011 by Sandy Bergsten
My youngest lands in Dayton before flying back to college. Thought it would be fun to invite a few of our new friends over for a drink so they can meet her. Just because a gathering is small doesn’t mean it’s insignificant. Make a special splash for a petite fete. It will turn your little celebration into a memorable event.
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bring it on

kitchen tenets
Categories: Appetizers, Cocktail Party, Posted on August 26, 2011 by Sandy Bergsten
A respectable guest offers (dessert/canape/wine)- but what to do when your kind gesture is accepted? Take into account that whatever you bring to your host or hostess’s table should be hassle-free. Keep in mind you want to be part of the solution- not the problem.
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jump for joy

resurrecting  the cocktail party- i’ll drink to that
Categories: Appetizers, Cocktail Party, Eating Out, Posted on August 17, 2011 by Sandy Bergsten
No more Yogi Berra and his deja vu all over again. The deal is done, title transferred, money is in the bank- no small feat considering it was a cash deal from an Italian bank. Time to give thanks. After the big guy upstairs, a shout out needs to go to my real estate agents. Feels like we’ve been on an epic session of speed dating.
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short but sweet (or savory)

resurrecting  the cocktail party- i’ll drink to that
Categories: Appetizers, Cocktail Party, Eating Out, Posted on August 10, 2011 by Sandy Bergsten
Great news- move is done and my daughter and I are in the Cleveland carriage house apartment for a couple days while I wrap up the house sale. Tonight our besties are coming by to see the new digs and have a quick glass of wine before we head over to fire for dinner. How great that my best bud is the mom of my daughter’s!
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one fish two fish

what's for dinner- cooking for the fam
Categories: Appetizers, Salads and Dressings, Fish and Seafood, Veggies and Sides, Posted on August 5, 2011 by Sandy Bergsten
My oldest is flying home today, which is officially now Dayton.A weegie board would have come in handy in booking everyone’s return flights. With home a moving target for the last few months I did my best to guestimate where to pick up my travelers. But with plummeting stocks and falling house values what’s a couple airline tickets.
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reliving the memories

food detective
Categories: Appetizers, Poultry, Supper, Posted on July 29, 2011 by Sandy Bergsten
Nothing grounds me like my old stomping grounds. Knowing these next few weeks are going to be crazed with house moves and moving children it was a real treat to be able to get away to New York City for two days. An added bonus was seeing my oldest daughter who is wrapping up her summer internship there. A regular chip off the old block
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double feature

perfecting the done before they arrive dinner party- a work in progress
Categories: Salads and Dressings, Fish and Seafood, Veggies and Sides, Desserts, Dinner Party, Posted on July 23, 2011 by Sandy Bergsten
Drinks were a hit. Almost like train schedules of yore- right on track. Guests arrived at 6:05 and the tracks were clear by 7:09. My new friends and folks loved meeting one another, and the short time frame left everyone wanting more (always a plus). While I knew I didn’t have to worry about this capable group of meeters and greeters
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just a drink

resurrecting  the cocktail party- i’ll drink to that
Categories: Appetizers, Cocktail Party, Posted on July 22, 2011 by Sandy Bergsten
My parents are arriving this afternoon and would love to meet some of our new Dayton friends. But with the long drive and excessive heat in the forecast something tells me short and sweet would be best. Time to resurrect the cocktail hour. At some point “cocktail hour” meant exactly that an hour in which to imbibe prior to sitting down to dinner.
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double take

perfecting the done before they arrive dinner party- a work in progress
Categories: Appetizers, Salads and Dressings, Fish and Seafood, Veggies and Sides, Posted on July 13, 2011 by Sandy Bergsten
Here’s a secret. If you find yourself having back-to-back parties consider doing the same dinner twice. Tonight we are having a couple over for dinner… and another couple Saturday night. One way to cut the stress in half is to duplicate the menu. Believe it or not most of the work in entertaining comes from planning and prep.
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accept with pleasure

perfecting the done before they arrive dinner party- a work in progress
Categories: Salads and Dressings, Soups, Breads, Pizza, Tarts, Dinner Party, Wine Line, Posted on July 10, 2011 by Sandy Bergsten
Many dinner guests ask if they can bring something. Don’t be shy- take them up on their kind offer. Consider your weak suit (or as I say to my consulting clients your “growth edge”). Personally I love when a guest brings dessert or an appetizer. With those bookends out of the way
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