Overstaying Your Welcome

We all love to entertain, right?  Well the majority of us do....but as a host/hostess we all need a break after the party, moments to unwind, moments to reminisce about the event and a few seconds to take a breathe before it's time to clean up.  Yes, we said clean up.  If you happen to know us personally, you will also know that when either of us host parties, we don't want help cleaning up.  Not in the least!  Each of us is so particular about our kitchens that the less people, the better!  So if you ever happen to be a guest at either of our homes, please do not help clean up.  Here's a little tip though, if the host/hostess starts cleaning up, it's time that you leave.

Credit: Decor

As a guest, it's absolutely crucial that you watch for the signs to leave gracefully.  Ask for your coat, gather the children, grab your dishes and give those final goodbye hugs and air kisses. Overstaying your welcome is a huge "no-no"!  If you want to annoy and frustrate the hostess, overstay your welcome and don't expect to be invited again (kidding, everyone deserves a second chance!).

If you are attending a dinner party, feel free to stay after the meal for a few drinks and pleasurable company with the host/hostess.  But if you happen to notice several yawns or loud *sighs*, time to head out.

If you are attending a bridal or baby shower, do not overstay the length stated on the invitation.  If a time was not designated on the invitation, then you better watch closely for clues!  Cleaning, packing up gifts, the guest of honor has already left...

If you were invited for a casual luncheon, then it is never appropriate to hang around till dinner.  RUDE!  Enjoy lunch a maybe an hour afterwards, but give the host/hostess a few hours of the day to themselves!

If you are dropping by a friend's house unannounced, PLEASE DON'T!  Even if you are close friends, a quick phone call (10 minutes ahead of time) would be much appreciated!  

If you are a house guest, never stay longer than the planned duration without asking the host/hostess before your arrival.  It's rude to assume!  Always be prepared when staying as a house guest, bring your needed essentials, don't expect the host/hostess to purchase your necessities.  But especially, BE PLEASANT!  

Credit: Machteld

If you follow these simple, but ever so important guidelines when attending an event or visiting a friend, it will make for pleasant experiences, and more welcome visits in the future!

Credit: eweek

The Dinner Party: Where to Sit and How to Pass

Written By: Ooh La La (Danielle Marie)

Envision this!  You were invited to a friend's house for dinner.  The second you step in the door, the aroma of food is amazing.  The table setting is out of this world!  After an amazing glass of wine with a few olives to soften the palate it is now time to sit for dinner. 

 

Photo Credit: www.brightbazaar.blogspot.com

Uh oh, awkward moment as each guest slowly moves to the table.  Where do I sit?  If you are the guest, wait till the host/hostess points out your spot.  It's extremely rude to take a seat before being placed by the host.  If you are the host, think about this before your guests arrive.  Don't make it more awkward than it needs to be.  Or better yet, make place cards!

Now that all the guests are seated, dinner is about to be served.  Think fast...what direction do you pass the food?  Answer:  pass in a counterclockwise direction, so to the right!  This works best when several dishes are being passed around the table at one time.  If someone asks for a specific dish then you can avoid this rule, since it would be silly to pass the red potatoes around the whole table for one person.  If the person sitting next to you asks for a roll, never ever pick up a roll and hand it to him.  Pass the entire basket of rolls and let the guest choose for themselves.  No one will appreicate your fingers  all over their food!

Photo Credit: www.stylishcorrespondence.com



Best part of the night, enjoy the dinner, but remember to leave room for dessert! 

Photo Credit and Recipe: http://cook-eat-love.com/2010/04/key-lime-pie/

Don't Forget the Pink Lemonade

Written By: Ooh La La (Danielle Marie)

Over the weekend, we had "steak night"!  It was an amazing combination of excellent food, excellent wine and excellent company!  We finished off the meal with two desserts for our guests.  We had a homemade dark chocolate cake and a pink lemonade bundt cake.  We had to share the recipe for this pink lemondae cake!  It was a great summer option for these warms evenings and it looks incredibly enticing! 

If you are having company over for dinner, always have options.  Not everyone prefers chocolate cake, however, who in their right mind would turn it down.  Enjoy this recipe!  It was absolutely amazing!


 www.sugarbabyaprons.com: recipe credit


Pink Lemonade Cake Ingredients
1 cup homemade unsalted butter, softened 2 cups white sugar 4 eggs, room temperature 2-3/4 cups flour 2-1/4 tsp baking powder 3/4 tsp salt 1 cup frozen pink lemonade 1 TBS Lemon Zest Pink food colouring

Frosting: 1 cup butter, softened 7 to 8 cups powdered sugar, sifted 1/2 cup thawed pink lemonade Lemon zest to taste Pink food colouring

Directions Preheat oven to 350

Sift the dry ingredients together and set aside. Beat the butter for 3 minutes until light and fluffy. Add the sugar and beat another 3 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat thoroughly after each addition. Start adding the flour mixture one cup at a time, and alternate with the lemonade; ending with the flour mixture, mix well and pour into prepared cake pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes or when a knife comes out clean Let cool completely. FROSTING: Place the softened butter in a mixing bowl and beat with 1/2 of the powdered sugar. Add the lemonade and mix well. Add another cup of powdered sugar 1 cup at a time until you reach the desired consistency to spread; you may not need all of the sugar specified. Beat until light and fluffy. put icing into a good sized sauce pan and heat until icing is quite runny Spread on the cooled cake.

sugarbabyaprons.com: photo credit and recipe

The Pineapple: What and When to Bring Host/Hostess Gifts?

Written By: Va Va Voom (Katrina)

So, who isn’t baffled when it comes to gifts for a host/hostess?  This may be a tricky situation with our ever changing modern social standards.  Here are some guidelines which will help you determine if a gift is necessary for your next event. 

Are you attending an event or party hosted in honor of another person, such as a baby shower, bridal shower, engagement party, etc.?  Then a host/hostess gift is absolutely not expected.  It is more than likely you are bringing a gift for the mother-to-be, the engaged couple, or the bride –to-be, focus on them instead.  The host/hostess won’t be upset!

Are you attending a cocktail party, casual brunch or bonfire?  Host/hostess gifts are completely optional.  If you know the person well, and wish to be overly generous, then feel free to bring a gift.  A bottle of wine or selections of gourmet cheeses are perfect gifts for a cocktail party.  If you are bringing a dish to pass or specialty drinks, then this gesture is a gift in its own right and will be much appreciated by the host/hostess.

Are you attending a dinner party?  This would be the time to think of a creative and personal gift for the special host/hostess, especially if you know them well.  However, if you are preparing entrées, appetizers or purchasing liquor and wine, these contributions most definitely qualify as a gift to the host/hostess.  If you still feel obligated to bring a gift, choose something personal for the person or couple, but keep your spending below $25.00, this isn’t suppose to be equivalent to a birthday gift!

Are you attending a weekend at their summer home or lake house?  This is most definitely the appropriate time to bring a gift to show your thanks!  Keep it personal and within a reasonable price range, such as everyone chipping in for a spa or restaurant gift certificate.  If you are purchasing a gift on your own, arrive with a bouquet of flowers, a selection of Brazilian coffees, a box of Godiva chocolates or a basket with favorite movies, popcorn and candy.

If you are having a difficult time deciding what to bring, just remember, keep it simple.  It is the thought that counts!  Even a handwritten mailed thank you note is such a special treat.

Remember to say thank you to the host/hostess when leaving the event, if you forget, then you should definitely mail a thank you card.  If you did say thank you, but would like to express it again, then a quick email or text can be appropriate.  However, an email is not appropriate if you did not express your thanks when leaving.

Here are a few additional gift ideas for that special host/hostess:

·         A Woodwick candle, www.woodwick.com

·         A small porcelain dish (for serving or decoration)

·         The latest bestselling novel (for an avid reader)

·         An assortment of tea, www.teaforte.com

·         A set of oils for golf clubs or a box of their favorite golf balls (for the golf lover)

·         A box of Penzey’s spices, www.penzeys.com

·         Fresh flowers or a house plant, either from your local florist or made by you

·         A bottle of wine, Port or an assortment of specialty beers

·         Personalized stationary or unique journal , www.scribblespaper.com

Or if you are the host/hostess, have a pineapple for your guests either to eat or use it as a table decoration to show your hospitality, warmth and friendship!  http://www.levins.com/pineapple.html

Can you re-gift?  This is always the taboo question of our times.  Yes, you can re-gift, but if you do, the item must be new, still in the packaging and remember who gave it to you originally.  Re-gifting bottle of wine, which you haven’t opened yet, is completely acceptable.  Do not re-gift a handmade, personal gift.  The receiver will know it was not truly meant for them!  Think before you re-gift!  Would you want this gift?  Keep re-gifting for those rare occasions.