A Book Offering Useful Hints and Helpful Ideas

A few years ago, Gail Greco wrote a book titled, "New Secrets of Entertaining", tips from America's Best Innkeepers. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and discovered many helpful and fun tips. Who better to learn from than America's best innkeepers? Under the heading of "coffee perks", I learned that, "Scents of cinnamon drift through the house when the coffee brews at Ash Mill Farm. One-quarter of a teaspoon of the spice is added to a ten-quart pot of coffee. This gives the coffee a nice flavor and cuts down on the bitterness. All of our guests think the coffee is a special blend. Add your own amount of cinnamon, according to taste." The Ash Mill Farm ----Another idea I have used, "For a pretty tea plate, dig up a violet from the yard and put it in a little crock(or a votive holder) on the plate with the tea treats. The plants survive nicely in the house for several days and can then be replanted in the garden." Sage Cottage ----From the Lanaux House, I was reminded of, "A warm, sparkling smile outshines any decor or cuisine." Just a few tips and reminders from a special book. Happy Tuesday!

Centerpiece and Favors For A Special Birthday Party

Many times over the years, I have received requests from family and friends, to create centerpieces and favors for special event parties. I really enjoy this type of thing, and find it quite challenging to create and color coordinate, while all the time trying to keep the price at a minimum. For the centerpiece of this particular party, I used one of my white ironstone pitchers. I filled it with real looking blue hydrangea stems that I found in the floral section of The Burlington Coat Factory. I would much prefer real hydrangeas, but this just is not the right time of year, especially if one is attempting to keep the cost low. I did consider it a compliment when the Birthday girl asked if I bought the hydrangeas at market that morning? I am amazed at how real looking some of the faux flowers are today. This party was held in a private room of a restaurant. The linen tablecloth was white, the napkins were a soft blue and white, which is why I went with this choice of centerpiece and favors. It was for 10 women. The birthday girl has a somewhat flambuoyant personality, and loves colors and flowers.

In my small bread pans, I baked loaves of chocolate chip, banana bread. I put each on in a clear cellophane bag, and then wrapped it in a white 100% cotten tea towel. I had purchased a pack of 10 tea towels one time at Marshalls, for $7.99. It was a great deal for such nice quality tea towels.

I took one of the hydrangea stems and cut it into small pieces. I wrapped the bread enclosed in cellophane, in a tea towel, wrapped the darker blue ribbon around it, added a small piece of the hydrangea flower, and a wallet sized photo of the birthday girl, that I glued onto a card tag. For this feature I took a flattering photograph of the birthday girl, scanned it into 10 wallet size photos. Sometimes I ask for baby photos and a recent photo and alternate those on the favors. I cut them up and glued them onto the tags, and tied it along with the flowers. The photos always add an indiviual touch to the favors. This was a simple, inexpensive way to add personalization and pizazz to a fun celebration for a special person.

These Flowers Don't Need Water

Since I have been blogging for almost a year, I am sure some of you have come to realize my true appreciation for photography and for flowers. When the two of them come together as they have many times, I find myself trying to find ways to display them rather than keeping them stored in the "My Pictures" file of my computer. Above, are six gorgeous, up-close photographs of flowers captured by my Uncle's camera and stored in my file. Since" Spring" seems to be just around the corner, I decided to share with you an idea for displaying their beauty. I copied each of the photographs on regular computer paper, into the 4 x 6 inch size.

I took six plastic water bottles from Target.

I cut out each 4 x 6 inch photograph, and glued it on to the uncut end each individual paper, then I cut off the end where the photo had been. I put double sided scotch tape on the two ends of the paper and wrapped it around the plastic water bottle.

I added a bright pink ribbon, cut name tags out of plain white index cards, punched a hole in the top, and tied a drinking straw onto each one. Now I can display the beauty of each of these exquisitely created flowers, whether at one of my casual dinners, at a picnic, a birthday party...however I choose. Whether I choose to use a centerpiece of fresh flowers to compliment these decorated bottles or not, the table will still be brightly decorated . This concept can be used with photos of a loved one, at a birthday party, or photos of any theme you may be using for a party or a picnic. Definitely, an inexpensive, very simple, and quick way to use photographs plus add pizazz to any casual occasion. Just looking at these brilliantly colored flowers makes me so excited for "Spring" and the new growth that will soon begin to break forth.

Simple Valentine Touches at Home

I do not do lots of decorating for Valentine's Day. Just a few simple touches, because it is one of my favorite times of the year. I took my cake pedestal, wove a pink ribbon through it, placed the pink pillar candle, added heart candies, my mini clear glass bubbles, and some crystals to make this display, which I use as a centerpiece for my kitchen table.

In my bathroom shelf, I placed my heart shaped soaps(which I keep from year to year) in a pretty glass dish(a Christmas gift from my daughter), a glass "love" votive holder and a mirrored heart frame. For some reason this display brings a smile each time I see it, possibly because of the simple beauty of it.

This heart box was created for me, for my birthday, by a dear friend. The year she gave it to me was 1993. How can I possibly remember that date? Well, she lined the inside of the box with the local newspaper of the day of my birthday, the year she gave it to me. How cleaver!! This beautiful heart box sits on the shelf above our bed. It is a reminder to me of the significance of homemade gifts and the people who so lovingly create them.

This coffee cup holds a few hand stitched hearts and sits on a counter in my kitchen. The little sign is a good reminder of what Valentine's Day is all about. I do enjoy seeing the many touches that all of you in the blogging world are creating and displaying. What works of art!

"Martha" Might be Disappointed

It was 8:30am and my guests were to arrive at 9:30am...what could I possibly serve with the hot coffee and tea? What could I serve that only took a few minutes to whip together but, looked liked it took more time. Oh, yes, it also had to taste good. Out came the packs of "Endenmann's Little Bites". The chocolate chip, blueberry and brownie mini muffins, that all came in one big box from Costco. A gift from a dear friend.
I gathered together some of my glass plates and a few lace doilies in an effort to dress up these little bites. Since most of my quests are females, I know they prefer just a little something sweet, with their coffee or tea.
To dress them up a bit more, I pulled out, an already started container of " Pillsbury " Whipped Cream Cheese Icing, from my refrigerator, and a jar of jumbo sugared daisy sprinkles, that I had purchased one time at Ollies. I took a small ziplocked bag and filled it with the remaining cream cheese icing, cut a tiny piece off of the corner of the bag and proceeded to put a small dollop on each tiny muffin. Then I took some of the pastel colored daisies and put one on top of each muffin. This entire process only took a few minutes, but I think the finished product looked so nice.
Quick, easy, inexpensive and yet, pretty...my way to have guests in for coffee and tea. What a fun way to introduce some of our family to our new little granddaughter. Don't you think "Martha" might be disappointed in my "oh, so simple approach"? If you are ever in a time crunch, give this idea, a try.