Flat or standing     



a Christmas tree appetizer is visually appealing.

Beaujolais

Wine parties were held the world over last night for the ritual uncorking of Beaujolais Nouveau.  Bottles of 2013 Beaujolais were opened at midnight on November 20th.  Japan is the biggest market and usually the first to uncork but the US consumed more than 2 million bottles in 2012.  A young wine, not suited for storage, it is marketed during the month of November each year.

Tinkerbell Tea Party

Invitations were rolled like a scroll and hand delivered

 

 

 

 

 

Tinkerbell directed guests to their seats and decorated the table

 

    Each guest had a headband to wear

   and began with a fruit salad

 
 
 


  The birthday girl         

   and her cake

  

Guests left with a goodie bag

 

 

that included PIXIE DUST!

National Coffee Day

Wake up and smell the coffee on Sept. 29th.   To make that easier try this free offer:  Starbucks is offering free tastings of its new coffee blend, Ethiopia, described as a medium roast coffee with notes of sweet citrus and peppery spice. Also, anyone who purchases a one-pound bag that day will receive a complimentary Ethiopian-inspired commemorative ceramic cup, while supplies last

Cheddar Bacon Ranch Dip

This dip was referred to as "crack', as it is addictively good.  


Cheddar Bacon Ranch Dip

16 oz sour cream 1 packet Ranch dressing mix 3 oz bacon bits (in the bag not jar) 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese Mix together and refrigerate 24 hours. Serve with chips and/or veggies. www.plainchicken.com

Fancy Nancy party

An invitation to afternoon tea was really a Fancy Nancy party in honor of Nancy Joan's birthday. 

We dined on cucumber, chicken salad and ham sandwiches. Lots of dessert choices followed.
Heart shaped brownies were a big hit.

Spinach and Strawberries Salad

Spinach and Strawberries Salad

  So simple, so delicious, so pretty

Maggie Mae made this to rave reviews and competed in dressage show bringing home 1st and 2nd place ribbons. Congratulations!
Recipe: A bag of baby spinach, 3/4 box of sliced strawberries, and 1/4 cup of poppyseed dressing. 

 

Honey

Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial beginning of Summer.  Some are quite happy to say goodbye to Spring with its flowers, sneezing and itchy eyes. Here's a natural remedy: raw honey.  Because it contains bits of pollen,  it can naturally build up your allergy immunity.  A single teaspoon  a day will provide this benefit.

Bacon Deviled Eggs

What goes better together?

Ingredients:
6 hard-boiled eggs
3 slices crisp cooked bacon, crumbled
1 tablespoon butter, softened
3 tablespoons onions, chopped finely
3 tablespoons sweet pickle relish, drained well
1 teaspoon yellow mustard
salt and pepper
 1/4-1/3 cup mayonnaise

Directions:

Cut eggs in halves lengthwise. Remove yolks.

Mash yolks in medium bowl. Add relish, onion and bacon.

Add butter, salt, pepper, and mustard. Mix thoroughly.

Add mayonnaise to bind.  Refill egg whites.

Sprinkle with paprika. Refrigerate to meld flavors 

Source:  Food.com

May celebrations

May is National Egg, Hamburger, Salad, and Strawberry month.  Together that sounds like a great party menu.  Recipes will follow.

Spring place setting

Blue birds and daffodils create a Spring setting

Impromtu supper

On our trip to the Waquoit farmer's market, Nancy and I bought stuffed quahogs, herbs, and met up with Jeff.  This led to a plan for an impromtu supper.  Sue and Joe joined us and she brought her great Greek salad.  I rounded out the apps with baked stuffed mushrooms and cheese and crackers. Our meal was chicken breasts with gravy, tarragon monkey bread, dilled carrots, asparagus, and couscous.  Light and luscious mini cheesecakes for dessert.   So simple and so satisfying - supper with friends.  On Cape Cod you can get quahogs from:   souzasstuffedquahogs.com  Just heat and serve!  Easy and delicious!

Mini leek appetizers

Today Chef Peggy shared her adaptation of a leek tart.  Everyone enjoyed these tasty, tiny treats. And their preparation sounds simple.  She used a can of crescent rolls, cutting each triangle in thirds. These were pressed into a mini muffin tin.  For the filling: in a skillet, melt 2 Tblsp. butter and add 6 leeks (halved and thinly sliced crosswise) and 1 tsp. fresh thyme.  Cook covered until softened, about 5 minutes and 5 minutes more until slightly caramelized. Spoon into shells; top with a dollop of goat cheese and bake acc. to crescent roll instructions.

Check out more recipes at www.bistroonthego.com      

April celebrations

April showers bring May flowers.  Rather than pouring rain, I prefer to pour tea.  This month I will host a thank you tea for those who've been so kind during my recuperation.

Ides of March

As is my custom, I give menu items theme appropriete names.

Ides of March

The invitation is most effective when rolled into a scroll, tied with twine, and hand delivered.

Happy Pi Day

March celebrations

March is National Optimism Month.  So with that positive outlook, plan a party.  This month offers lots of party possibilities.  Most celebrated is St. Patrick's Day. (17th) Wear green, serve corned beef and cabbage and sing 'when Irish eyes are smiling'.  Everyone loves this holiday and just putting people in the same room on this day ensures a good time.  This month also marks the first day of Spring, cause to celebrate after a  difficult winter. (20th)  Dunk a thin mint cookie in a glass of milk on the anniversary of the founding of the Girl Scouts (12th) or dip on Potato Chip Day. (14th) For the math person, there's Pi Day (14th) when all kinds of pies can be served.  But for the Party Bee, the date to celebrate will be the Ides of March (15th).  Stay tuned for details.

Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday is today and the name refers to the Catholic tradition of the last night to eat rich, fatty foods before fasting for Lent. A hallmark is the King's Cake in which a little plastic baby that represents Jesus is tucked.  The one who finds it makes the cake next year!  A cake that I love is Hummingbird Cake. Here's a recipe for 'cupcakes so good they'll make you hum'





  http://www.yumsugar.com/Hummingbird-Cupcake-Recipe-4415567

Women's Wine or Whine Party

Earlier posts gave you some details, such as the invitation, menu, favor, etc.  But the party is the guests. Each year I include a new guest to the mix of old friends.  Being the winter some have gone south; some are ill and so we are able to squeeze the rest into my little nest.  2013 welcomed Jean, a sharp dressed as well as sharp tongued gal.  Her rapier wit broke us up a few times.  The surprise guest, however, was my sister who has been to my home just 3 times in 12 years.  (That's because she graciously hosts me for all holidays in her home).  After my jaw dropped and my tongue tied, I was delighted to meld her into the group.  
In the past we've tried a few 'getting to know you' activities, such as two truths and a lie. This year guests drew slips of paper on which phrases like, "my worst fault is ____", "I'm happy when I ____" and had to fill in the blanks.  Some were more revealing than others.  (Dancing with the stars seems to have inspired more than one.)  The camaraderie  and support of my female friends has me looking forward to WWW 2014.

Women's Wine or Whine Party

  Souvenirs from past WW&W parties


This year's favor  

More decor  Centerpiece

Women's Wine or Whine Party

Along with wine, lots of wine, my guests enjoyed appetizers all evening.  Kitty's baked brie was a perennial hit as was a new offering of Nancy's chutney cheese.  I made a cream cheese, shrimp and toasted coconut with curry spread.  Tasty. 

The buffett table was set with bacon quiche bites, pigs in a blanket, eggplant poppers, crudites with ranch dip, and mini chicken pot pies.


We ended the evening with Chocolat Rouge wine and Aunt Cybil's chocolate cake that Candace made (Mmmm), strawberries with whipped cream and brown sugar and there was always room for Jello. 

Procrastinator's New Year

Today is Procrastinator's New Year. If you are a procrastinator, you should be getting around to celebrating the New Year today.  Or tomorrow. No hurry.  ;-)  I'm just getting around to letting you know about my 17th annual Women's Wine or Whine Party.   The invitation was by email with the first message labeled 

                                                     My Holiday Workout

The second read

Having followed my Holiday Workout,

you are now flexed and fit for

Womens' Wine or Whine Party 2013

Sunday Jan. 13 6-9 pm

Per custom, please bring the gift you received

but didn't want in a brown paper bag for a swap.

RSVP by 1/10 to 477-6310

 

2013 parties

This year brings many occasions for traditional and offbeat parties.  While not a traditional party, this event has become a tradition for me. Since 1996, friends have gathered for my Women's Wine or Whine party so named depending on whether we are celebrating or commiserating after the holidays.  It is an evening of raising our glasses and raising our spirits.  New friends, old friends get together and laugh and cry and appreciate the bonds we've created over 17 years now.  Stay tuned for party details.