I am working on a new book, well, more of a booklet on the simple joy of tea. I love hosting teas. Find them to be the very best way to entertain friends. Much easier than a full-blown meal and perceived as being more elegant and difficult. Tea may be elegant, even the way I do it, but it is by no means difficult when it is done The Extreme Diva way. I frustrate myself trying for perfection with my writing. I must turn my internal editor off and push ahead. The info in this book is too important and a precursor to my book on the simple joy of entertaining. We need to begin entertaining in our homes more.

I believe women are feeling isolated. Many of us have gone back to work or are working longer, harder hours. We are struggling to keep up with things around the house and with our families. We are coping with financial difficulties. All these things have overwhelmed us and caused us to shut ourselves away. Instead, we need to turn to one another for strength, support and guidance. Women do not function well alone. We are social creatures that need a strong social network to build a strong self esteem. Without that strong network, we lack the confidence necessary to tackle the issues facing us daily.

So, I must get busy. Not for my sake but for the sake of all those women out there needing my help. And I know you are out there!

Sandwiches

Salads

Cupcakes

Cookies

Lemon Champagne
Punch

Lemonade

Package pastel colored cupcake cups

Long pipe cleaners

Pastel Easter grass

Candy eggs

Jelly Beans

Glue pipe cleaners on cupcake cups to create handle.  Add grass.  Place
egg in center and add jelly beans.  Make one for each guest with a few
extra.

While there is really no right or wrong when choosing a wine glass, there are still glasses that present specific types of wines to their advantage. When serving white wine, you want to use a narrower glass rather than the balloon glass used for red wine. Remember, part of the wine experience is the bouquet. You want to be able to smell the fragrance of the wine without being overwhelmed by it. Reds have a stronger fragrance than white. Whites have a subtle fragrance. The narrow opening of this glass helps to concentrate the fragrance of the wine. I have one set of wine glasses that have a wider opening than this glass but not as wide as a balloon. I am able to use it for both red and white if necessary. So, you can find glasses that offer a compromise between this glass and a balloon, allowing you to use one glass rather than having to buy 2 different types of glasses.

Glasses from Crate and Barrel Ollie Collection

Choosing the proper wine glas is almost as difficult as choosing the proper wine. Despite what many people tell you, you can use any wine glass for any type of wine. However, there is a reason specific glasses are recommended for specific wines. This week, I am discussing the variety of glasses and why each is perfect for a specific type of wine.

Today, let’s talk about balloon glasses. Red wine has a stronger bouquet that white wine. Therefore, balloon glasses work better with red wine. Balloons allow the wine to breath and emit its fragrance. You wouldn’t want to be overwhelmed by the rather powerful fragrance of some red wines when you go to sip them. Part of the enjoyment with wine involves the bouquet. The balloon glass allows you to enjoy all your red wines to their fullest.

Glasses from Crate and Barrel Ollie Collection.

This Rival Roaster is perfect for Thanksgiving dinner preparations or any large event. Not only is it able to roast your turkey, keeping the oven free for other dishes but it comes with a buffet insert. Once you roast your turkey, the roaster can be cleaned out and prepared to hold your potatoes and two veggies. If you are hosting a crowd, it works well to set up a buffet and allow guests to serve themselves before sitting at the table. This roaster/buffet server combo makes the whole process so simple, you will be more than thankful.

Let’s face it.  We are all just big kids pretending to be adults until the next time we can cut loose and have fun… real fun.  Halloween is a great opportunity to let the kid in you come out and play.  Get a group of friends together for a casual celebration.  Play games, bob for apples, judge the best costume ( yes, costume.  It’s Halloween for goodness sake!)  Don’t forget to make goodie bags so everyone gets to take home some candy.

The theme for our party this year is:

Waking the Dead

Have guests dress up anyway they wish.  However, they must appear dead.  They can come as cheerleaders, football players, mail carriers, whatever they like.  They must be made up to appear dead.

Invitations may be printed on the computer using the Chiller font.  Create 4 invitations per page.  Cut apart and round the top corners, creating tombstones.  You might want to have red ink running down the letters, like blood.

Keep decorations simple. Muslin that has been frayed around the edges can be placed over window and used as table coverings. Use plenty of stretch spider web around the room. Create bats and ghosts to fly through the room when you hang them from the ceiling. Let your kids help decorate. They may have the best ideas of all.

The menu is simple and easy to expand. Recipes follow the rest of the week.

Menu

Jean’s Beans Chili

Gourmet Chili

Chili Cheese Dip

Coleslaw

Tossed Salad

Pumpkin Bread with Whipped Cream

Take a break with your girlfriends. Invite everyone over for a movie night. Fix comfort food and have your friends bring comforters, throws and pillows so they can relax while watching the movie. What a great night of comfort: warm soup, a warm throw and the warm comfort of your girlfriends.

Menu

Tomato Soup

Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

S’mores

Popcorn

Cocoa