International Picnic Day

What a fun party!  Spread your blanket and lazily eat.  Caviar, crackers and champagne or a sandwich, salad and soda. High brow or low down good, do it your way.  (Buzz:  someone suggested that if you place a food item several feet away, the ants will all go there and not disturb you)

Invitations

In this 'phone' age, it's nice to receive an invitation in the mail.  Anticipation for a fun atmosphere at your party is created with an eye-catching invite.  Mine are handmade with no apologies for my cutting or coloring skills (or lack thereof).  I feel the attempt speaks to my sincerity.  However, that said, the laborious nature in making them often derails my good intentions.  Sometimes, by the time I conceive of a party idea and its accompanying invitation, time has progressed close to the event.  Case in point: last month's Cinco de Mayo.  The week preceding was heavily scheduled and it wasn't until Monday that the idea of a party was suggested.  Tuesday I emailed a 'Save the Date', planning on hand-delivering invitations on Wednesday and Thursday.  Alas, some invitees had already made plans which is to be expected.  (Buzz:  have a backup list to fill your optimum guest limit).  So I will try to set forth and abide by the following Party Principle:  send invitations 2 weeks prior to event.  This lead time is sufficient for most parties but a more significant event (shower, birthday celebration, etc.) necessitates more advance notice.

June celebrations

June is National Fruit and Vegetable, Rose, Tennis, and Iced Tea month.  The month also celebrates Dairy, Great Outdoors, Drive Safe, and Zoos and Aquariums and includes National Fishing, Camping, and Clay weeks.  June's special days include Donald Duck's, Superman's, Oscar the Grouch's and Garfield's Birthdays; anniversaries of the first US space walk, hot air balloon flight and the Ford motor car; Fly a Kite and Power of a Smile Day, Father's Day, Flag Day, and a most welcomed First Day of Summer and last day of school.

99 Days of Summer

            The countdown is on for 'summer'

             ( Memorial Day to Labor Day ). 

 



      

             Grillin' and
                                              
                            
                               

Wine Day

       

Today raise a glass and say "Cheers" in 

Danish  - Skaal 
German  -   "Prost" with friends, "Zum Wohl" in a more formal environment
Japanese  -   Kampai
Russian  - there is no universal drinking cheer, however paradoxal it might sound.
Thai  -   Choc-tee  
and my new personal favorite,
Zulu  -  Oogy wawa

Source:  http://www.awa.dk/glosary/slainte.htm

Escargot Day

Doesn't everything sound better in French?  Snails certainly do.  If they're considered a delicacy in France, were revered by the ancient Romans, and merited a scene in 'Pretty Woman'  maybe they deserve to be tried by you.  Bon appetit!

Won ton cups (savory)

You asked for my easy appetizer recipes.  My guests enjoy this one that has many variations and goes together quickly while making a presentation that looks like it took time.  First preheat oven to 400; then spray mini muffin pans with PAM.  Gently place wonton wrappers in each cup (there will be some overlap). Cook for 4 minutes until lightly browned.  Cool.  These can be kept in an airtight container for a long time to have at hand for unexpected guests.  There are several variations that I use and many that haven't a recipe so to speak.  #1  Cook  1 lb.crumbled Italian sausage until browned and remove with slotted spoon to a bowl, leaving fat.

  Add 1 cup each of shredded Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese (Sargento makes a blend), and 1/2 cup ranch dressing,  

 Fill won ton wrappers. Bake for 10 minutes at 350 or until bubbly.  



  #2  Substitute 2 cups shredded or diced cooked chicken, cheddar and swiss cheeses and thousand island dressing   # 3 Spoon in homemade or store bought artichoke dip.  

These are also baked and served hot.  Cold versions include filling with shrimp salad or a salsa and black bean combo.  Always a hit!