perfecting the done before they arrive party- a work in progress
Nothing quite wraps up the old and heralds in the new like caviar and champagne. Who can resist this dynamic duo. Whether it’s for a crowd or for something a little more intimate.Trader Joe’s does a bang up job on delivering bling without breaking the bank. I am impressed with their American paddlefish caviar. Equally so with their Louise d’Estree
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what to bring
Bringing an appetizer to a special friend’s party calls for something a little exceptional. Nothing says "home" like a dip, though there is certainly nothing humdrum about this one. First glances are deceiving, this concoction is sophisticated and sublime. Smoked salmon and salmon roe. Don’t skimp on the ingredients
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resurrecting the cocktail party- i’ll drink to that
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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kitchen tenets
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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resurrecting the cocktail party- i’ll drink to that
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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resurrecting the cocktail party- i’ll drink to that
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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resurrecting the cocktail party- i’ll drink to that
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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resurrecting the cocktail party- i’ll drink to that
Remember that old camp song- “make new friends but ke-ee-ep the old, one is silver and the other’s gold”? One of the perks of moving to a new town is that it forces you to make new friends. Thankfully I’ve found some real gems. An added bonus is that one of my favs loves champagne. My cute husband doesn’t care for it- which has left things
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kitchen tenets
Believe it or not entertaining is a lot like curriculum design. If you plan it out thoughtfully there is a high probability that what you want to have happen will actually occur. Think Field of Dreams in an apron. Looking at the stacked files for outgoing consulting projects I wondered if the same rules and theorems that help businesses
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what's for dinner- cooking for two
Some days it’s hard to channel your inner June Cleaver. When I am completely downtrodden. I cheer myself up by pretending to make dinner. We all have our quirks and this is undoubtedly one of mine.
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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!