Something Yummy

 

Hello!

As we end the merry month of April
and begin May tomorrow, I have a
very simple recipe for you.

Our librarian at school has been
making this for our treat days recently
and it get's rave reviews. She gave me
the recipe and I made it for Mr. Ken to
take to the office.

This would be great for any upcoming
parties or gatherings that you may have
over the next month.

Ann's Cowboy Caviar

2 cans of black beans rinsed and drained
2 cans of corn drained
1 bottle of Medium Pace Picante Sauce

Throw it all in a bowl, mix well then chill.
Serve with your favorite tortilla chips.
If need be add more beans and corn plus
Picante Sauce for a large crowd.

So easy and so fast! Enjoy

If you Google "Cowboy Caviar" you will
find a variety of versions of this recipe.
Most have more veggies in them.

Checked with Mr. Ken and he said it was
a "Big Hit!"



~Keep on Dreaming~

It's Party Week!-- 4 and 5

I am combining a couple
of days and finishing
with Party Decor.

Some of the fun things
I have seen in magazines
lately are:

Painted cork circles:
Use painter's tape for
straight lines. Paint
around circle stickers
for dots.
You could paint 1/2 or
1/4 of the circle and
leave the rest bare.
See: blogger Sarah
Khandjian's blog
sarahhearts.com for
more.

Balloons:
Put some polka dots on
your party balloons.
Make red ones look like
watermelons with black
dots.

For a different take on
4th of July decor---Tori
Spelling created a nautical
table scape. Redbook-July
'13.
Items used:
Gold Chargers
White Plates with anchors
on them
Blue Glasses
Red napkins stamped with
a blue anchor and tied with
rope
Rope patterned blue fabric-
she turned this into the
table runner
She turned inexpensive glass
vases into rope covered vases
by wrapping it with rope top
to bottom,using  craft glue
as she went.
Red Flowers
Seashells and a flea market
whale

Drink sleeves
Keep hands dry and never
loose track of your coaster;
wrap a cocktail napkin around
the bottom each glass and secure
with a colorful rubber band.
I think it would be fun to have
several different prints to choose
from and then your guests can pick
a napkin for their glass. Kind of 
like a glass charm.

Utensil Bundles
Fold waxed paper or parchment
into pockets and tie with
colorful floss for easy to
grab packets.

Enjoy your Summer parties!


~Keep on Dreaming~

It's Party Week ! --3

Today we are going to talk
about "Theme Parties."
Holiday parties could be
included here.
Info from Good House-
keeping.

Baby Showers:

Decorations-
Traditional--Pinks and Blues
Nontraditional--Yellows and
Greens

Food-
Cake, punch and mints 
all the way to a sit down
meal.

Gifts and games-
The mother-to be can open
all the gifts at one time or
gift opening could be spaced
out over the scheduled party
time.
**Make sure someone makes
a list of gifts and the gift givers.

Games-To play or not to play?

Guests-
All females or coed

Other themes:

Best Friend Brunch, Ladies Lunch
or Alfresco Cocktails

Decorations-
Coordinating tableware for
specific theme
Flower Centerpieces
Paper Umbrellas
Fill Lanterns with light
strings for an evening party

Food-
Donut Tower, Pretty Layer Cake
or Ice Pop floats. Place "nibbles"in
paper cones for easy handling.

~Keep on Dreaming~

It's Party Week ! --2

Yesterday we covered the
"How Much" part of the party.
Today we will focus on the
"PREP ER RATION"(my
spelling) part of the party.
PS--This post is long BUT
there are a lot of great ideas
here!!

These are suggestions for
"The Hostess With THE
Mostest"--which is all of us,
RIGHT!!! Better Homes and
Gardens helped with these.

For the WEEK before your
SHINDIG.

1-Plan it easy.
*Time it right--schedule parties
for Friday nights and early after-
noon on Sundays.
 *Work party prep into your week.
This will help you relax on THE
BIG DAY.

2-Make a menu.
*Come up with three simple summer
menus and drinks to go with them.
*Make it an almost Potluck:
Sharing the food load is fine. Most
want to help out and even expect to
bring something. If they ask, have
them bring a watermelon, fresh bread
or ice cream. Something easy is always
nice. I feel the exception to this is if
you are having a large group or family.
ie: holiday dinner. We always share the
load on these occasions.
*Make as much ahead of time-double
check your fridge space.
*Is your cooler clean? How about
your grill? If not, get those cleaned
up.

3-Make a list of things needed.
Remember yesterday's list of
how many plates and cups are
used by your guests.
*Pick up those items needed as
you are out and about OR stock
up during the year so you don't
have to run around finding stuff.
A suggested site for supplies is:
uline.com
*Invest in one entertaining upgrade
each year-start with a dozen cloth
napkins. Cuts paper waste too.
*Purchase a bolt of burlap-cut to
fit table coverings, runners, draping
etc.
*Something I do that I found helps
A LOT is to LABEL platters, bowls,
plates etc. so I know what goes on
each item.
*Check out T.J. Maxx, Home Goods
places like that for all sorts of
unusual serving items.

4-Clean in and out.
*Decide where your party
will be held and clean accordingly.
*Clean a little each day.
*Always make sure your bathroom
is ready to go.

Inside-
*Clean and straighten the rooms
you will be using-clear that clutter.
*Food prep ahead of time will keep
the kitchen tidy also.

Outside-
*Mow the yard, pick up sticks, sweep
the drive, sidewalk, patio or deck.
*Pick up any trash that the trash man
left. :)
*Make sure you have enough seating
or have your guests bring chairs with
 them.
*Use retro style lanterns-they come
in lots of colors and use oil so they
won't blow out if there is a breeze.
*Safety first--look around your area
and check that there is nothing a
child can hurt themselves with.
I say this because my 2 1/2 year
old  great niece finds birdbaths
quite interesting!!! :)

5-Choose your music.
*Create three summer playlists:
Brunch
Lunch
Dinner
Light, upbeat and fun.

6-Party Day.
*I always choose a time to have
everything completed so that I
can get put together without
rushing around.
*Start early in the day getting
things set up.
*Finish food prep, season meat,
chop any veggies needed.
*Have at least one appetizer
ready for guests to nibble on.
This will help if things are running
behind.
*Greet your guest with a smile.
*Have on hand-sunscreen, bug
spray, smores ingredients and
blankets or sweaters IF the
evening is cool.
*Set up a "sanitation station." Pick an
out of way spot and set up a trash can
and some buckets with soapy water so
any dishes or serving items can soak
overnight.

The BIGGEST tip is:
RELAX and HAVE FUN!!!!!!

~Keep on Dreaming~

It's Party Week !

Today we are going to
start with some party
tips from our friends at
GOOD HOUSEKEEPING.
Great things to keep in
mind as we plan our
summer shindigs.

They call these the "Who knew?"
party tips.

2: How many HOT DOGS 
you can expect a guest to eat.

1/2: Bottles of WINE needed
per person.

68: Number of TUNES to put
in your ipod for a four hour
party.

3/4 cup: Amount of ICE CREAM
to scoop per serving.

4: Disposable CUPS used per
person.

20 % : The percentage of INVITEES
you can expect to RSVP "no."

10 square feet: The area of
protection you'll get for a bug
 repelling CANDLE. 

2: Paper PLATES required for
each guest.

~Keep on Dreaming~