I enjoy a good glass of wine once in a while, but I’m not a wine critic by any standard. I do know what types of wine I enjoy with certain types of food, but as far as official wine pairings I have no clue.
If you’re not sure what wine to serve with your Thanksgiving turkey, or whether you need to serve a white or a red wine with your ham, you’re not alone. So today I have a few holiday wine pairing tips from the pros to help you pick out a wine to go with your holiday dinner …read more

I really like the holiday dessert recipe I have to share with you today from Seasons 52 restaurant. I’ve had several healthy holiday recipes to share with you over the last week or so, and these pears definitely fit right in.
They’re easy to make, and even though they’ll look gourmet to your guests they won’t break your budget to create.
They would be perfect for a cozy little holiday dinner party. Guests will love the caramelized flavor of the pears. I love the idea of topping them with chutney or cranberries, it definitely adds a nice holiday touch.

Roasted Bosc Pears
Ingredients:

4  Bosc …read more

Fall colors are rich and earthy, so I love setting up fall tablescapes and table settings. Start with a beautiful fall centerpiece for your focal point. Here are a few fall centerpiece ideas to get you started.

Easy Gourd and Candle Fall Centerpieces
Fall Party Centerpiece Ideas With Gourds
Apple Decorating Ideas For Fall Parties
Fall Party Decorating Ideas

If you’re going for a traditional fall color palette for your party, stick with rich browns with bright  oranges, or yellows, and deep reds. Warm tones work very well in fall. You can also work in golds, and shades of green into your fall tablescape.
Here are …read more

White is such a versatile color for parties, and weddings. You can add accents in any color, and it works for any season or occasion. You can dress white up or down, and even do white with white if you want to.
Today I have some decorative bouquets ideas you can use for a party centerpiece, or wedding bouquet, all in white. If you don’t like the solid white, you can add accents in any color.
First up, dressing up simple white daisies with a little green, or with some pearl beads.

Lilies are fabulous in white.
Did you know white can come in …read more

Many times you have to use whatever chairs are available at your party of wedding. Even you have to use metal folding chairs, or plastic chairs, you don’t have to let it bring your party down. You can add a touch of class by covering the chairs, or adding a ribbon or bow to the back of the chairs.
You can even drape fabric from one corner, or add a small bouquet to the top to dress up. Match your chairs to your tablescape, or decorate them in a contrasting color.
Or use them to announce special guests, or the bride and …read more

I got to try a dessert this week that would be fabulous for your next dinner party. Culinary Circle sent me some samples of their premium ice cream desserts. That’s my favorite part about this job, getting to sample fun products!
Each dessert contains four layers of rich flavors. The desserts are packaged in individual cups. You just warm the sides and push on the bottom to turn them out onto a dessert plate. Each guest has their own individual little dessert.
Just drizzle a little chocolate, or caramel on the plate, and you have a gourmet dinner dessert.

Culinary Circle desserts come …read more

I was at a bridal show this last weekend, and I saw some really cute wedding, or party decorating ideas using old dress forms (the kind seamstresses use to hang dresses on while they’re working on them).
The cutest idea was this one that held dinner place cards for the guests. The cards list the guests name and tells them their table number. This would be great for a formal wedding or dinner party.
Dress forms would also make fabulous party decorations with a little tulle tucked in the wires or by adding some well placed flowers or a bouquet to the …read more

No one wants to think about, or plan for the after party clean up, but it’s part of the party process. It’s definitely not the funnest part of hosting a party, but you have to clean up afterward, and sometimes even during the party.
With the fall and winter party season coming up fast, it means more parties will be moving indoors. Which also means more spills, and accidents on your carpets and floors. One of the biggest concerns are wine and drink spills.
Wine spills can happen so easily at a party, but they can be so hard to get out …read more

Summer party centerpieces don’t have to be complicated. Just add water.
You can add colored or plain water to a vase, or small bowl then add a candle, some fruit or flowers to the bowl for a nice but simple, and low cost summer table centerpiece. Better yet combine flowers and candles, or fruit and flowers in the vase for a different look.
The centerpiece above combines a small glass candleholder, a floating candle, water, and a rose at the bottom of the candle holder. Very elegant for an evening dinner party.
Image via sxc.hu

Country Living paired with Stampin’ Up to create The Country Living Summer Cookout Kit to help you make your summer table look great. The Cookout Kit is loaded with creative, low cost ways to host a memorable summer party.
The kit includes creative invitation ideas, fun food wrappers, place cards, holders, customizable coasters and many more festive items to make your summer gathering a special event.

Make them in red white and blue and they’d be perfect for your 4th of July celebration!
The kit will only be available only until August 31, 2009 and costs $24.95.  The Summer Cookout Kit can be …read more