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Always be prepared for the unexpected guest. Whether it is a friend stopping by after work or neighbors gathering on the front porch for an impromptu drink, here are a few tips so you are always party ready.

Whether you are entertaining overnight guests or friends just dropping by, the powder room is the one area all will ask to visit. Have you taken inventory of this part of your home lately? Make your bathroom boutique beautiful by implementing our top points below. 

May can be a crazy month with the chaos of end of school activities, home projects, and travel plans. But we need to hit pause for one day to celebrate the special mom in our life. With hearts of gold and putting others before themselves, we have gathered a list of ideas to help you honor the special lady in your life.

A few years back my husband and I attended a play that was an adaptation of the classical movie Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, which originally starred Sidney Poitier, Katharine Hepburn, and Spencer Tracy. It was a beautifully written, and quite comical, story based on the difficulties families faced in the 1960s with inter-racial marriage. The scene that stood out the most to me was when the son was trying to bring both families together for dinner. In the last line of the last act, he turns to his father and says, “Dad, we need you at the table.” With that, the father joined the others, and the audience was left with the understanding that healing had begun.

Giving a party requires a great deal of work. If you have been fortunate enough to be included in a festive soiree, it is nice to arrive with a gift for the hostess. The typical present will cost anywhere from $15-$100. What you spend will be determined by your relationship and the type of event. Is it a formal dinner? A backyard BBQ? Also, when possible, know the likes and dislikes of your hostess. If she is allergic to flowers, you probably will not arrive with a bouquet in hand.

1. Choose the table. Will you use a round that seats four or a rectangle that seats twelve? This decision will determine your centerpiece.

Warmer weather will be arriving soon, and I am seeing more of our four-legged members making an appearance in the dog parks and on walking trails. With pets taking more prominent roles in our lives, I thought it would be good to brush up on basic dog etiquette and ownership responsibilities.

Meeting friends for dinner after work, grabbing coffee with your girlfriend or just ordering pizza on a Friday night with neighbors. We all have a deep desire to be connected in a world that often forgets the importance of relationships. Many of us have the desire to entertain, but we let our circumstances keep us from extending hospitality. Often it revolves around our lack of confidence in our ability to host events. I get this!

A toast may be offered in any setting and made to an individual or a group. Increase your confidence at your next social gathering by learning the ins and outs of this ancient tradition.

A perfect entertaining year for me would be hosting a different themed party each month! Will I do that? No. Will I dream about it? Yes! If I cannot have a party every 4 weeks, I can at least help my Lisa Lou family with ideas so hopefully a few of you can carry the torch of hospitality for the rest of us.

  • Writer's pictureAlina Gersib

Blindfold Salad Taste Test



Happy Foodie Friday! This recipe comes courtesy of Penny and Eleazar Martinez.

www.thefrankincensetree.com

info@thefrankincensetree.com

Each of our Taste Test Reviews comes with the original recipe and the tester's notes/changes listed with the ingredient list in blue. We hope you enjoy!


What an interesting salad to prepare! I have never "ribboned" carrots and cucumber for a salad and the result was delicious. Though it is a bit more labor-intensive than simply cutting up the vegetable, the end texture is far lighter and more fun to eat. The earthiness of the bean sprouts, carrot, and cucumber paired nicely with the acidity of the lemon. And the dish really came together with the addition of the rich macadamia nuts.


I like salads with tons of different ingredients added and I ended up throwing in a little apple to balance the mix as the bean sprouts are quite strong and bitter. If you are not a particular fan of sprouts, I would add only a 1/2 cup as they tend to overpower the other flavors.



Blindfold Salad
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Makes 4 servings

Preparation Time: 20 Minutes


Ingredients:

*1 cucumber, thinly shaved into long ribbons

*1 carrot, thinly shaved into long ribbons

*1 bunch fresh mint, roughly chopped

*1 cup bean sprouts (I would recommend starting by adding a 1/2 cup as the flavor is quite overpoweringly bitter)

*3 tablespoons macadamia nuts, crushed

*Salt and pepper, to taste

*6 tablespoons olive oil

*3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice


Preparation:

*In a large bowl toss all the ingredients together, except the crushed macadamia.

*Place a handful of the salad on individual salad plates and sprinkle the crushed macadamia on top of salads.



Recipe and Taste Tester - Alina Gersib

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