Welcome to the 95th Metamorphosis Monday! Update: If you like this ice chiller but don't want to make one from scratch like I did, you'll find similar ones available for purchase here: Ice Chiller. Also, here: Ice Chiller Recently, I received a catalog in the mail and it showed a picture of a silver ice bucket that could be used to make a diy ice chiller. I was tempted to order it until I realized the … [Read more...]
Slaying the Top 10 Reasons For Not Hosting a Holiday Party
November 14, 2010 by 9 Comments
As our Party Planning Week comes to a close, I thought we'd take a look at our Top 10 Reasons for not Hosting a Holiday Party again. Hopefully, I've given you a few ideas/tips that will help slay some of those reasons. :) (I've included links back to many of this week's posts that have included weapons you can use against those objections.)1. I work full-time...no way I have time to host a party.The secret … [Read more...]
Yummy Cranberry Trifle for Your Christmas Holiday Party
November 12, 2010 by 50 Comments
Earlier today I posted the recipe for the Champagne Punch I always make when I have a Christmas Party. A couple of folks e-mailed and asked for the trifle recipe, too...so here ya go. The recipe comes from the December 2008 issue of Everyday Food. Cranberry Trifle 2 bags (12 oz each) cranberries, fresh or frozen (I used fresh) 2 1/4 cups granulated sugar 2 Tablespoons … [Read more...]
Champagne Punch Great For Christmas or New Year’s Party
November 12, 2010 by 71 Comments
Several folks have asked for the punch recipe I mentioned in our last Party Planning post. I'm happy to share it. You'll find a printable version of this recipe at the bottom of this post. The Recipe: Champagne Holiday Punch Ingredients: 1 cup water 1/2 cup sugar 3 cinnamon sticks 4 whole cloves 2 cups cranberry juice cocktail 1/2 cup pineapple juice 1 bottle champagne (Korbel Brut works … [Read more...]
Party Planning
November 11, 2010 by 73 Comments
Welcome to the 116th Tablescape Thursday! Party Planning Week: It's Party Planning Week here at BNOTP. So far this week: Monday we talked about the many ways available for sending out your party invitations . Tuesday was all about preparing and readying our home for the big day. And on Wednesday, I shared a fun gift-exchange game guests always love. Today is all about centerpieces and how to arrange the … [Read more...]
Party Planning: An Ornament or Gift Exchange Game Your Guests Will Love
November 10, 2010 by 26 Comments
Ornament/Gift Exchange Game: I'll be honest with you, I normally don't like games at parties because they always take so long and I'd much rather just stuff my face and visit with my friends. But this game is different. It's a super-fast game, literally. It's over in about 3-5 minutes and it leaves folks laughing. It really is a lot of fun! Here's how it works: In the invitation, I always ask folks … [Read more...]
Party Planning: Sending Out the Invites
November 8, 2010 by 55 Comments
Welcome to the 94th Metamorphosis Monday! Holiday Party Planning: Earlier today, I posted the Top 10 Reasons many of us give for not hosting a holiday party in our home. Over the next few days, I want to help you overcome those objections and fears. I am not a certified party planner...just got a few parties under my belt. :) I've always worked outside the home full-time, matching my schedule to my … [Read more...]
Top 10 Reasons For Not Hosting a Party
November 7, 2010 by 42 Comments
Party season...it's almost here. With Thanksgiving just a few weeks away, family will be coming in for the holidays and very soon festive party invites will begin appearing either via e-mail or my favorite way, snail mail.I have an idea! What if this year you gave the party? Yep, Y.O.U! :) I know, I know...there are so many reasons why you could never have a party in your home. Do they go something like … [Read more...]
The Best Lasagna Ever
November 5, 2010 by 42 Comments
Okay, that's a really bold statement...but I do love this recipe! Here in Georgia, it's getting cold and rainy out...time for some comfort food. A Recipe: Lasagna When I was just a teenager, Rosemary, the wife of the Minister of Music for the church I attended, invited all the choir members to their home for a youth party. She made the most amazing lasagna, the best I'd ever tasted. A few years later, … [Read more...]
Pre-Christmas Preparations
November 5, 2010 by 44 Comments
My upstairs family room, "Before" And, now...Yikes! Scary, isn't it? Don't worry...I'm not getting out the Christmas decorations, just yet. Well, actually I am getting them out...but just to sort through them. It's time to get rid of some stuff that I just don't use anymore. I'm ready for a few new things this year. See those little storage doors... Halloween is on the … [Read more...]
