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8 Quick Entertaining Must-Haves for the Impromptu Guest

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.

15 Items Every

Powder Room

Needs

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. 

Gifts Ideas for
the Mom in Your Life

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.

Gather Around the Table this Easter

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.

My 10 Favorite 
Hostess Gifts

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.

How to Create
a Tablescape
in 8 Steps

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

12 Tips on Dog
Etiquette

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.

Let's Celebrate

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!

The Art of
Toasting

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 Party Idea
for Each
Month of the
Year

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.

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  • Writer's pictureCecelia Zook
    • Oct 9, 2020
    • 1 min read

Bloody Mary Oysters & Pinchos Taste Test



Happy Foodie Friday! These recipes comes courtesy of Penny and Eleazar Martinez.

www.thefrankincensetree.com

info@thefrankincensetree.com

We hope you enjoy!


These are two very easy recipes to make for your Murder Mystery Party! It took about 30 minutes to put together and they are definitely a crowd-pleaser. They’ll keep your guests satisfied and entertained before the main course!


Bloody Mary Oysters



Bloody Mary Oysters
.pdf
Download PDF • 2.32MB

Makes 12 Servings

Time: 15 Minutes


Ingredients:

*12 oysters, on the half shell

*6 tablespoons of diced fresh tomato

*3 teaspoons horseradish

*Dill, for garnish


Preparation:

*Top each oyster with a tablespoon of fresh diced tomato and 1/4 teaspoon of horseradish.

*Garnish with some fresh dill and serve cold.

*Enjoy immediately - raw oysters need to be consumed right away.


Pinchos



Pinchos
.pdf
Download PDF • 2.31MB


Makes 12 Servings

Time: 15 Minutes


Ingredients:

*12 cubed pieces gouda (small bite-size)

*6 Vienna sausages (cut in half)

*12 small green olives, pitted

*12, 3 inch wood skewers


Preparation:

*Pass through each skewer first a cheese piece, next an olive and then a piece of Vienna sausage.

*Serve and enjoy.


Recipe and Taste Tester - Cecelia Zook

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