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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

Salmon with Sage Cream Sauce



Salmon has always been a favorite of mine, I enjoy cooking it myself and trying it at restaurants to see how different chefs choose to prepare their dishes. For my high-school graduation I took a trip to Ireland with my mom where my view of salmon shifted forever. Nestled amongst the rugged wind swept coast, the sleepy town of Doolin served up the best salmon and cream sauce I had ever experienced.


The fish came served on a delicate bed of carrot and parsnip mash and accompanied by a side of green beans. After one bite I vowed I would figure out how to recreate the meal. When I was sitting down to create the menu for the month, my memory of this salmon popped into my head and I instantly got to work researching how I could perfect the linchpin of the dish, the sauce. After a bit of trial and error, the cream sauce was perfected. If you want the full meal experience, I shared the recipe for the Carrot & Parsnip Mash as well as for the Lemon Green Beans a few weeks ago. Enjoy!


Salmon with Sage Cream Sauce
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Makes 4 servings

Preparation Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes


Ingredients for Salmon:

*4 Salmon Filets

*1/2 teaspoon sea salt

*1/2 teaspoon black pepper

*1 tablespoon + 2 teaspoons olive oil

*1 tablespoon unsalted butter


Ingredients for Sauce:

*2 cloves of garlic, minced

*1/4 cup of lemon juice + 1/4 cup water, mixed

*1/2 cup chicken broth

*1 cup heavy cream

*1/2 cup parmesan

*1 sage leaf, finally chopped

*2 teaspoons parsley, finely chopped


Preparation:

*Pat salmon dry with a paper towel then pour on the 2 teaspoons of olive oil, salt, and pepper, patting it all in until evenly coated.

*Heat a large skillet over medium high and add oil.

*Add salmon and cook for 3 minutes until golden brown.

*Flip salmon and cook on the opposite side for 2 minutes.

*Add in butter and allow to melt. Once melted, spoon over each salmon filet 3 times.

*Remove salmon from the pan and place on a plate. Draping with foil to keep warm.

*Add garlic to pan and stir for 30 seconds, until it is a light golden.

*Turn the pan to high heat and add the lemon juice and water mixture, stirring constantly until it reaches a simmer. Once simmering, cook for 1 minute.

*Return heat to medium and pour in cream and chicken stock. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until content has reduced and thickened slightly.

*Stir parmesan into the sauce until combined, then add the herbs and stir.

*Turn off pan heat and taste sauce. Adjust amount of salt/pepper/herbs if desired.

*Return salmon to pan and spoon sauce over top before serving.



Recipe Creator - Alina Gersib

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