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Are you hosting Thanksgiving? Or responsible for bringing something? We have found what most homes are missing that Thursday – and this does not mean you have to make another pie or side, for once…
Instead of sending your guests home with leftovers on a paper plate wrapped in foil (that will likely spill in the car ride home), how ’bout having these great little takeout boxes on hand? If you are planning ahead, you can order recyclable ones from mrtakeoutbags.com or pick them up at the Container Store or if it’s last minute, see if you can snag a few extra from the salad bar at your market.
Or just delegate this to the guest whose green beans you can do without!
Images: top from County Living via The Party Dress; bottom collage – me, The Container Store, mrtakeoutbags.com
Stuffing is the best part of Thanksgiving. Coming in very close second is the leftover turkey, cranberry sandwiches. But I still put stuffing on those.
So why is something so great relegated to once a year? I think we should bring it back!
And yes, this would be a great stuffing for turkey-day, but we didn’t sample it for that reason here. It just sounded good. I am sure the rain and cold and November-ness of the weekned did aid in that though.
Sometimes let’s face it, dinner is in front of the TV. Its cold, you’re tired and hungry and want an easy dinner that is warm and comforting. No table, just sitting on the couch all curled up.
I think soup is perfect for those nights. A fork and knife can be a bit hard to wrangle when it’s all balancing on your lap.
This soup is done in only one dish (if you have an immersion blender) or 2 (if you don’t), which is a bonus when I am feeling like this, because really, who wants more than a few dishes?
I just couldn’t help but snap this pic while at an event last night. I love the idea of stemless glasses for entertaining, and so do many people, which is why the Riedel “O” series is such a hit.
But stemless champage glasses do not make enough appearances.
Yes, I realize that the stem is necessary to regulate the tempartature and stop the transfer of body heat to the wine. BUT, who drinks their bubbly that slowly? Not me, and definitely no one I know!
Champagne is for celebrations (which in my book is any day!), and so I can almost guarantee that my glass won’t be in my hands long enough to change the temp.
I really love stemless for parties – fewer spills, fewer breaks – that means less time cleaning, more time enjoying!
What do you think about stemless glasses? Particularly champagne flutes?
For resources: Read the rest of this entry »
It is not much of a secret how much I love cheese and wine. Although, is there anyone who doesn’t? It is quite a great match. Perfect for entertaining, perfect for a simple date night, perfect for dinner when you don’t feel like cooking, perfect for just about everything.
So it was particularly fun when a family friend (is that what you still call someone if you probably haven’t seen the person since you were 7?) was featured in Food and Wine Magazine for her wine and cheese parties. Natalie Wassum and Helen Jane Hearn founded Cheesewizzes, a monthly club dedicated to tasting cheeses and the drinks that pair with them.
Check out the article and other tips they have for a great cheese party – and get tasting!
Images via Cheesewizzes (top photo, bottom middle in collage) and Food and Wine Magazine (all others)
Want to send a picture that was inspired by the site? Or inspired by your own celebrations, meals, drinks, fiestas, surprises, etc.?
Just click here.
Like this one, that Ibby thought should be tagged under “Heaven” – it is the view from her office. Not bad.
I am excited to see what else you all are up to!
I hate to say this, but sometimes life is about the compromises.
This is particularly true for me when it comes to food. Thankfully I love veggies, but I like pizza a bit more than is healthy and I just can’t say yes as often as I want. So I have little swaps when I just really want something. Like that banana “milkshake” when I am jonesing for something sweet.
Or this cauliflower gratin when its cold out and mac n’ cheese is calling my name. I love that cauliflower can stand in for so many richer things. I use just about the same cheese sauce that I use for regular mac and then trade out the pasta for cauliflower.
That counts for something right? Please say yes!!
I am not a style maven. Especially not when compared to my eternally chic friends. But I do appreciate looking good – if I want my food, home and parties pretty, why wouldn’t that be the same for everything else?
So I was thrilled when I was able to go to a preview of the Marc Jacobs Accessory Collection for Resort 2009…NYC you are fabulous. It is even more fun that I was able to go on behalf of chicandyoushallfind. So check out my first guest post over there…
You know the drill. You have an early morning meeting, so you call a nearby bakery and order a great spread. Maybe you pick it up, maybe you have it delivered, and then you get it all laid out.
People come, people go – the coffee is gone, the OJ too and baked goods are wholly unconsumed. Just begging you to eat them while you are cleaning up.
Why did no one touch them?
They are too big, too much, too daunting.
Next time, cut up the muffins, bagels, scones and croissants into smaller pieces. Also, have some little nibbles already to go on plates. While people may not want to make a mess of the whole thing, they will surely grab a bite or two (or ten). Think Costco samples.
And next time, you won’t be left with that chocolate croissant…well maybe hide that one!
Images via: Le Pain Quotidien (top left and bottom right), Dean & Deluca (bagels, biscuits and tea cakes) and Mäni’s Bakery (croissants)
As the weather continues to dip, and everyone around you seems to have the sniffles, I think it is best to be armed with a few defenses.
My two cure alls:
- A good soup – I do not think it needs to be chicken noodle.
- Whiskey with hot water and lemon, maybe a touch of honey too.
But here we will only address the former – I’m sure any friend of mine already knows well enough how to purchase and consume whisky.
One of my favorites is Read the rest of this entry »
