Tag: Occasions

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Raspberry Rosemary Summer Sipper

A big part of entertaining is being the best host you can be so, I always like to offer my guests a beverage to sip on during an event. So here is the Suggested Sip of the Week recipe, with alcohol and non-alcoholic versions.

RASPBERRY ROSEMARY SUMMER SIPPER

Previous Recipes include: Basil Grapefruit Sipper, Thyme Tangerine Fizz or Provence Lavender Cocktail.

With muddled fresh rosemary, Raspberries, fresh squeezed lime and Bombay Sapphire Gin gives this cocktail an added burst of flavor. Slice a fresh raspberry and a sprig of rosemary for the festive garnish.

RASPBERRY ROSEMARY SUMMER SIPPER

INGREDIENTS {makes 1 beverage}

  • 6-1o rosemary needles
  • 6 Fresh Raspberries
  • 3/4 ounce fresh lime juice
  • 1/2 ounce simple syrup
  • 1 1/2 ounces Gin
  • Tonic Water to taste {start with 2 ounces}
  • Ice
  • Rosemary sprig, Berries & slice lime for garnish

Instructions

  1. Muddle finely chopped rosemary leaves and 4 raspberries in a cocktail shaker. Add lime juice, simple syrup, and gin. Top with ice and shake vigorously. Pour into rocks glass over ice top with tonic water.
  2. Use the top of Rosemary sprig, sliced lime and berries for garnish.

 

If you are hosting your own Garden Party and still looking for final touches, theme ideas or entertaining questions in general, comment below and I am happy to provide a few tips! Contact me for more details.

 

What is your favorite Summer cocktail? Leave comment and let us know! It may be featured in an upcoming article.

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Entertaining: Lets Agree to Disagree.

I follow Bon Appetit on twitter for daily postings and tips. I pick up the magazine when in my local grocery store. I visit their website frequently. Sometimes I have even cook the suggested recipes. Big Fan right. Then yesterday they post an article, 6 Rules for Setting Your Valentine’s Day Table, listing “rules” for setting your table and I have to say I was disappointed. Perhaps it was the title that I disagree with, maybe “suggestions” would have been a better title.

One ~ I do not feel there are rules for setting any table. There maybe etiquette to follow and I frequently refer to Ms Emily Post and her granddaughter, Ms Peggy Post, for guidance however, RULES for a dinner for two people? Not buying it. The table should be set with what makes you happy and makes you feel good about the experience. I love to set a beautiful table and the style of cooking can also play a big part in the selection of the dinner and serveware.

Two ~ The term formal dining room should be removed from the english language. Not that you can’t have a formal dinner party or set a formal table but simply having a room where you have a large table and host friends and families does not make a formal space. It is possible to entertain at a table large table and not at all have a formal feel. In fact I do it all the time and my guests always end up saying they wish they had a big table like we have.

Three ~ Although I sort of understand where the author is heading with the comment don’t eat at a large table, instead move to the breakfast nook. I once again disagree. There HAS to be a more romantic place in your house to set up a table for two than the kitchen. Cover a small coffee table with a linen and place it in your bedroom with candles, music, etc.. small balcony, anywhere. Different is good when it comes to romance.

Overall I understand where the author, Julia Bainbridge, was going with the story and there are points that I agree with. For instance, I TOTALLY agree with the unscented candles in the space you are eating your meal. And also agree with her on the choice of scented version, Jo Malone is at the top of my list. {I could go on and on about candles. I feel a new post coming on.}

Whatever your Vday dinner brings make it personal and your own experience. kf.

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The Foodie In You: Day After Tarts

The past weekend was filled with rushing here, need to be there, make this, bring that and not to mention all the various menu items our bodies are exposed to over the holidays. Although I honestly love every minute of it, the day after Christmas was the first day we had nowhere to be, no decorating to do,  nothing to buy, and nothing on the schedule except for sitting on the couch and staring at our tree and watching movies. But there is still the question as to what should we have to eat?? Something super easy, not too heavy and quick to make.

I first made these “tarts” a few years ago for a brunch and they were a big hit. I changed up the flavors this time ~ Mushroom and Fennel – and they were just as tasty as I remembered.

Ingredients:

Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry Sheets (2 pack makes 4 tarts)

Variety of Chopped Fresh Mushrooms (or your flavor of choice)

     * I was able to find a pack of fresh mushrooms with multiple varieties included. Chop these and heat with butter in pan on stove top till warm – you can also add garlic here if desired.

Caramelized Onions

     *heat onions in a pan on stove top over medium heat with butter and sugar

Fennel

     *chop fennel into small strips. Heat in pan on stove top over medium heat with butter, salt and pepper

Fresh Herbs to taste {from your kitchen garden of course}

Defrost the pastry sheets and layout on cutting board. Cut in half to create 2 separate tarts. Place ingredients {keep ingredients separate or mix together depending on your taste} on top of pastry, leaving a 1/2 inch border on all sides. Place in preheated oven at 400 degrees for 15 minutes or until edges are brown.

Remove and slice into 5-6 vertical sections. Serve on a rustic cutting board with cocktail napkins. Relax and Enjoy!

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On the Road: NYC ~ Finding Inspiration on the Street

If you are like me, each city you have been to has locations and memories about it that you associate with being there and will become your list of “Favorite Things About ____” (insert city name here).  Growing up in the NY tri-state area, New York has always been the city for me with the longest list of favorite “things”. I feel the most comfortable there over most cities and towns and has the best memories associated to it. My trip last week allowed me to experience not just my usual favorites but experience new places, locations and add to my list of loves. (more on those next week…)

At the top of my list would be the availability of unexpected plant material. Especially during the winter season when the trees have lost their leaves and the center medians are bare of color {except nighttime when Park Avenue is aglow with trees}. The availability of flowers, greens and supplies on street corners, small bodegas, the flower market and more established floral shops is mind-blowing. Don’t think too much about what colors or plants you are meant to use, simply grab a little of everything place it in a container and it will work as a centerpiece. I promise!

I love being inspired by something new I see. Or this year something from the past, the small tree on Lexington & 96 marked Charlie Brown Tree $10 became the star of the mantle.

Enjoy your holiday decorating and being inspired by even items on the street!

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Holiday Decorating: Woodland Christmas

Each project (no matter if it is a room, a garden or an event) should have a theme that loosely inspires the direction. The Woodland Christmas theme was inspired by walking into my local Lowes and seeing 3 buckets of those round scraps produced when they cut the bottom of Christmas trees for customers. I asked if I could take  a few and the very nice young employee said I could take as many as I wanted. Jackpot!

An Appealing Plan Holiday Table decor Buffet Table 1

Although I wanted to dump all three buckets into my car I controlled myself and only took two full bags. These little perfect and not so perfect stumps became my inspiration for the entranceway and tablescapes. Using the greens I found at my roadside green mirage , found pinecones, additional greens & wreaths from a local farmers market and bulk  cinnamon sticks from Micheals Craft’s I created various displays throughout the house including the dining room table where the buffet would be placed. Winter berries and red tulips added pops of color to the Woodland theme.

An Appealing Plan Holiday Entranceway
An Appealing Plan Holiday Table decor Side Table 2

What is your favorite way to decorate for the Holidays? Share in the comments below.