Flower delivery anyone?

This past weekend I got to deliver flowers for a florist friend of mine who had 2 weddings on the same day. She's an artist with a phenomenal knack for flowers. My job: pick up the flowers at her shop and take them to the hotel for delivery at the wedding/reception. An elegant party for 100 had the most stunning colors of deep burgundy and red roses! Really WOW! I filled up 11 round disk-like vases with water and floated deep burgundy dahlias inside, sprinkled all the tables with rose petals and set up all the rest of the pre-made flowers. It was fun doing something different and mingling with the caterers, music guys, and event planner. Always networking without exposing my personal business...wouldn't want to offend the hotel caterer! You never know what you can learn watching others do their thing!
www.paintedprimrose.com

Company Coming!

I've got an old friend coming to visit for a few days and she'll be here for her birthday, so I've got to find something that she can take home on the plane. What do you buy for the girl who doesn't need anything? She owns an Indian restaurant, so I went shopping online and found a lantern that will look great in her lobby. I asked her what she wanted to eat when she was here and she tells me...my chicken enchiladas! You're kidding, that's easy! Nothing else specific? Well, she decides she wants my sticky buns stuffed with cinnamon cream cheese. Ok, that's something I can have ready. Her last request- a mountain hike with homemade granola and beef jerky. This girl is not gourmet, gotta love her!
http://amberlacelantern.totalwarehouse.com

I'm invited to a party and don't have to cook!

So, one of my friends had a birthday party for her 3 year old. She wanted me to just relax and enjoy myself...like I would question that offer! The girl knows how to cook for a group! She made shredded chicken and beef BBQ, potato salad, cole slaw, baked beans, salsa/chips/refried beans and a veggie tray with a corn/cheese dip. Perfect for a day in the back yard, not too exotic for the little ones and threw in an alcoholic beverage for the adults. After opening all those gifts, that little one was exhausted...for 10 minutes!

45 and proud of it!

I'm catering a friend's 45th birthday party for her girlfiends. A Saturday afternoon affair brings to mind fun food and decorations in a black and white color scheme. Here's the plan... she wants to start out with a light repast of tea, finger sandwiches and fruit; then move into the alcohol and sweets. I've got a great black and white teapot, some zebra print placemats and the best salt and pepper shakers ever! I'm decorating with crystal and black rocks and some black silk flowers in a white vase. Sandwiches and fruit are a little harder to fit into the color scheme...still working on those. The drinks are going in black flute glasses. She wants a white chocolate pie in an oreo cookie crust, chocolate crackle cookies, and angel food cake drizzled with melted dark chocolate and a dollop of strawberry sauce for color. This is going to be FUN!!!
http://blackandwhiteteapot.totalwarehouse.com
http://zebraplacemats.totalwarehouse.com
http://ladyslippersandpshakers.totalwarehouse.com

Catering is entertaining!

As a caterer, I'm always on the lookout for new recipes and presentation items. But, what about at home? That's where all this started. Having company over to my place and loving the entertaining aspect. I started going through all my table linens and centerpiece items that I haven't used in ages because I've been busy elsewhere. Well, summer is here and it's time to start having company. It's a perfect time to get all my guinea pigs here for new taste tests and fun had by all. I have some salmon that needs to be cooked and a wonderful peach dessert that's part cake, part custard and peaches in between, oh baby, smell the cinnamon now!

Rice Pudding

So, I haven't made rice pudding in years, but my memory was not about the great pudding (which it was); the memory I had was having a horrible time cleaning the pan. I let it soak, and soak, and soak...scrubbing in between, almost like burnt milk, but I was stirring constantly!! So, this time, I went for the stainless steel pot. Cleaned up like a breeze and OHHHH, was that pudding yummy! Much better memories! Sometimes you have to learn the hard way, but I'm hoping to share with people--get the stainless steel pots and pans--don't think about non-stick coating. I've found any non-stick pan I get loses flecks of the coating within a year. I never use metal utensils in a non-stick pan and there's still noticeable missing spots (and all I can think of... "I ate that!") If I'm going to spend the money, those pans have to last. Look around and price out the one's you like. These are mine: http://stainlessteelcookware.totalwarehouse.com

Fast dinner- Shrimp

Ok, so I'm tired and don't feel like spending 30 minutes cooking dinner. The best plan is shrimp! I get out my 5 minute rice and boil it, then dump it in the fry pan with a little olive oil, green onions, soy sauce, sweet and sour sauce, frozen corn and peas, pepper, scramble an egg, and throw in frozen cooked shrimp. 10 minutes- that's it, let it simmer and thaw stuff out. Yum! a complete meal, nothing else required.

BBQ Shrimp Video

Pizza Party Made Easy

So, a 15 year old girl's birthday party with 4 pizzas and snacks for 18 people. Number 1, wear ear plugs and hope boys are invited to keep the squealing down!!! Next, find out exactly what kinds of pizza they want, kids don't go for the exotic stuff. I threw together some chips and dip, and some kibbles N bits (chocolate and peanut butter covered Chex cereal and sprinkled with powdered sugar-yum), and some baked breaded cheese curds, breaded stuffed peppers and breaded mushrooms. Kids like anything if they think it's fried-(even if it's not). More boys in the group, the food disappears...when it's gone, it's gone, kids understand that. No worries if there's no leftovers, that means "Great food"! http://superpizzastone.totalwarehouse.com

pizza

Wine and Cheese

My latest event was a wine and cheese party. Not much to cook but the presentation was everything. My best friend for this event was my complete knife set. It's a whole set of gourmet knives which come in a carrying case. I cut the cheese, fruit, tiny muffins, and mini brownies on site. Never could I have carried these knives without a case...brilliant plan. I figure I can use the knife set for camping this summer and perfect for cooking at a friend's condo in the mountains. Amazing little tools I never would have thought to make such a difference. The party was smooth and clean-up a breeze. I need more of these easy ones. Take a look at the complete knife set... http://completeknifeset.totalwarehouse.com