tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1549907091994594204.post3181593695017336404..comments2024-03-20T04:40:45.292-07:00Comments on More Ways to Waste Time: Sound Off: What Is a "Good Host"?Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03587662940285887833noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1549907091994594204.post-48613735387787561882008-07-18T01:09:00.000-07:002008-07-18T01:09:00.000-07:00I only own one set of totally utilitarian dinnerwa...I only own one set of totally utilitarian dinnerware and silverware. I always make sure the house is spotless (If I never had company I wouldn't have the excuse to do it). I buy fresh flowers. Sometimes I make a big production out of dinner, but mostly because I am writing a cookbook, I make a bunch of recipes I have just perfected and then get everyone to have a little of everything and give me their feedback. All served with plenty of red and white wine and sometimes Saki.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09414775950203856116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1549907091994594204.post-73228450364277458172007-09-10T08:45:00.000-07:002007-09-10T08:45:00.000-07:00actually, when i look through magazine articles ab...actually, when i look through magazine articles about entertaining, i wonder <I>who</I> entertains in the way the pictures indicate. do people really put cute little name tags around a table that only seats eight? <I>really?</I> and the little gifts they say we should have - the cookie recipe tied to a cookie cutter, or the chocolates in a cloth bag, or a candle with a shell glued to it...is it a wedding or a dinner party? i think most people would be confused about what they're supposed to do with the little knickknack on their plate. i don't know anyone who expects a present when they go to dinner. (maybe i'm just too middle class?)<BR/><BR/>my solution is that my everyday plates and silverware and glasses are chosen because they have design pizazz and i adore them, so when i break them out for guests, i'm perfectly satisfied. i make for guests recipes i've been meaning to try anyway, so there's no stressing or resentment about how many hours i've spent in the kitchen. and i clean my house to a reasonable level every saturday morning, so saturday night, which is the usual dinner night, it's already clean. and if we're having dinner on friday, well, i just clean off the surfaces, turn off most the lights, and light a lot of candles. candlelight hides a multitude of sins (ahem...cat hair)!<BR/><BR/>great topic, though!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1549907091994594204.post-31635947850227639822007-09-09T21:33:00.000-07:002007-09-09T21:33:00.000-07:00i have the bad habit of not having people over unl...i have the bad habit of not having people over unless my house is spotless - which is never.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1549907091994594204.post-83564292822272408422007-09-09T18:25:00.000-07:002007-09-09T18:25:00.000-07:00become known for something else.........your cockt...become known for something else.........<BR/><BR/>your cocktails<BR/>or<BR/>your animal party plates<BR/>or<BR/>playing beach ball insideAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1549907091994594204.post-23729215640139121122007-09-09T12:59:00.000-07:002007-09-09T12:59:00.000-07:00I love the idea of more casual entertaining. Desse...I love the idea of more casual entertaining. Dessert is a fabulous idea and so much more simple! And you're right, a house with unfinished projects or maybe a little messy, is still welcoming!jenisthenewblog.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12759436909748578443noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1549907091994594204.post-42410746297398280522007-09-08T06:49:00.000-07:002007-09-08T06:49:00.000-07:00I kinda like the fact that our best friends know h...I kinda like the fact that our best friends know how special they are as they are always welcome at a moment's notice, no matter what state the house is in... They're the people we have the best times with anyway!nineteen toeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13389450519561357422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1549907091994594204.post-46018028645916787062007-09-08T05:41:00.000-07:002007-09-08T05:41:00.000-07:00It's definitely about the friends and the memories...It's definitely about the friends and the memories!<BR/><BR/>We've hosted dinner parties in the middle of construction projects. We just move everything aside and light a bunch of candles. No one's ever complained... and they keep coming back, so we must be doing something right!Barb McMahon and Alan Maillouxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05395936716793077391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1549907091994594204.post-55024507660555356632007-09-07T21:04:00.000-07:002007-09-07T21:04:00.000-07:00BTY...how is the little bird?BTY...how is the little bird?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02217566407504060905noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1549907091994594204.post-73610543945690573572007-09-07T16:04:00.000-07:002007-09-07T16:04:00.000-07:00Um...deja vu. Did you post this before or am I jus...Um...deja vu. Did you post this before or am I just wacko? I love Barfoot Contessa too! Very easy and fast and make-ahead food that is so good! She is the Queen of relaxed entertaining.<BR/><BR/>Have a great visit!katiedidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12682823255667624459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1549907091994594204.post-33026959066042518172007-09-07T15:18:00.000-07:002007-09-07T15:18:00.000-07:00Michael Chicarello and Dave Liberman also have som...Michael Chicarello and Dave Liberman also have some good things to say about easy entertaining. :)<BR/><BR/>I think its enjoyable to have a formal dinner, but I personally enjoy it even more to have an evening where people are really involved and really laid-back. I do like to have people in the kitchen with me. I like to strike a balance between make-ahead thigns that require minimal preparation at the time of the party, and sharing with others. I have a very open layout, as well, and when I'm putting food out, people inevitably end up in or near the kitchen with me, opening wine and beer, mixing drinks, grating parmesan, whatever. People (my friends anyway!) actually seem to like to help and see what's going on, and I like to share what's going on. I guess I don't really mind being onstage, but if you do, it's easy to have things laid out, or warming in the oven, before people arrive. You just have to look for those kinds of recipes.<BR/><BR/>I also like things served in what they were cooked in, or on a platter to pass. Plating is great, and can be beautiful, but is also not completely necessary to making food look tasty. It'd be nice to be an iron chef, but a mixed salad can look pretty at the height of summer, too. <BR/><BR/>Just remember, when you're obsessing over how you-just-vaccumed-how-can-there-already-be-doghair-everywhere, etc, that your friends live in their homes too, and are busy, and aren't there to experience a hotel-quality perfection. They're there to spend time with you, and share food with you, and that's what you can focus on. :)Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18173779037024107399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1549907091994594204.post-78512812354961017622007-09-07T14:43:00.000-07:002007-09-07T14:43:00.000-07:00Ina Garten built a career - and likely a fortune -...Ina Garten built a career - and likely a fortune - capitalizing on this concept. If you don't own a Barefoot Contessa cookbook, grab one this weekend. It is the best way to entertain- everyone has more fun.Mrs. Blandingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06402207636108999627noreply@blogger.com