Just buy baged ice at your local grocery, gas station or liquor store. If you are partying every weekend and need lots of ice capacity then invest in a built in ice machine like a scottsman, u-line, marvel, of one of the GE, kitchen aid. Your installer plugs them in, hooks up the water and you enjoy ice. Every once in a while you should clean them per instructions. If you want zero upkeep, then you are back to buying bagged ice.

In the early 1980s, I also arranged home party needlecraft demos for the Creative Circle. Their kits included crewel embroidery, cross stitch, needlepoint, and applique projects. The guests had a lot of fun! Some of them bought the full-sized kits, some did not - they just came for the party kit and to socialize, which is also great! I looked up Creative Circle online, and the needlecraft company site said nothing about home parties, but they do sell kits online now. There is also a different company called Creative Circle that is a "recruiting and consulting services company". They have nothing to do with needle crafts. I still have, and display, my samples from when I was a party consultant. They are very high quality and beautiful.

There was a time about 5 years ago when I was getting hit with Cabi (clothing line) invitations by at least 4-5 different friends each season. I went to a few of them as I did like the clothes, but they were overpriced. Then, my neighbor, who was hosting these parties every season, starting complaining to me about certain people who would come to her parties but never buy anything, that they were only there to eat and socialize. That really ticked me off b/c....the more people buy at these parties (at full price) the more items the host gets at a discount. So yes, while my neighbor was supplying the venue and some appetizers and drinks, she was getting huge discounts on the clothing that all of her friends were having to pay full price for. Of course, that's typically how all these home parties work, but it just annoyed me that I was getting pressured to buy things so that SHE could get all these new clothes for much less than the rest of us. Though I bought several things that I liked, I bought a few things that I ended up regretting and never wore and had no way to return, so that was it for me. My other friends stopped inviting me as I wasn't going, but my neighbor continued to invite me. After going once or twice and not buying anything, then listening to her complain about other neighbors just coming to socialize, I stopped going. And it seems that Cabi parties aren't popular anymore - thankfully! However, now I get invited to all kinds of other parties (jewelry, purses, cooking gadgets, etc), some from mere acquaintances who I'm sure just scroll through their email address book and add absolutely anyone they think may have a remote chance of coming. I don't even bother responding anymore and I don't feel one iota of guilt.

Claire, the Lasagna Soup is Marilyn's and it is aweome! Here are both recipes. Lasagna Soup 1 pound ground beef (sirloin or chuck) 1 large onion; chopped 5 cloves garlic; minced 4 cups beef broth 15 oz. can crushed tomatoes 15 oz. can diced tomatoes 1 can CampbellÂs tomato soup 1 teaspoon dried basil 4 oz. fresh baby spinach leaves 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 1 1/4 cup mafalda pasta (mini lasagna noodles) Salt and pepper to taste 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese Brown ground beef in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add onions and continue to cook until onions are tender, stir in garlic and sauté for another minutes. Add broth, tomatoes, soup and basil; bring to a simmer and cook covered for 30 minutes to blend flavors. Meanwhile cook pasta until al dente, drain and toss with olive oil. Add spinach and pasta to the soup and simmer uncovered until spinach wilts, 1 or 2 minutes. Taste soup and season with salt and pepper. To serve, place 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese in the bottom of bowl and ladle hot soup on top to melt cheese. Garnish top with parmesan cheese and serve immediately. Serves 4 generously. Hearty Pork Stew with Squash Source: PenzeyÂs One 2/09 1-1/2 lb boneless pork loin roast, trimmed and cubed (I used boneless chops) 3 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1/4" slices 1 medium onion, chopped 2 c peeld parsnips, cubed 1-1/2 c butternut squash, peeled & cubed 4 c chicken broth 1 T fresh sage or 1 tsp dried 2 tsp fresh thyme or 3/4 tsp dried 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp pepper 3 T flour 3 T butter, softened In 4-5 quart slow cooker, mix the pork and remaining ingredients except flour and butter. Cover and cook on low 6-7 hours. OR... place in a covered pot in the oven at 350F for 2 hours. In a small bowl, mix together the flour and butter. Gradually stir into stew until blended. Increase setting to high or return to oven. Cover and cook 30 minutes longer, stirring occasionally until thickened. 6 servings Linda