Help me elevate a really casual dinner
DLM2000-GW
6 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (41)
littlebug zone 5 Missouri
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoDLM2000-GW thanked littlebug zone 5 MissouriDLM2000-GW
6 years agoRelated Discussions
Help me with Thing One's rehearsal dinner
Comments (14)In years past I have had quite a few big out door parties. My back yard alone is about 1/2 an acre....and ringed with bushes and trees and gardens. The best solution I found was something called "skeeter beater"...granular stuff you sprinkle around a few hours before the party. It worked fairly in combo with yard guard....but every flower it got on became discolored in a day or 2...some leaves too...spotted. New growth and flowers covered it up but.... If I were doing sometning like that now, I would start now being vigilant about any water. I would have a dunk in every birdbath and pool and ask my neighbors to do the same. And I would start soon with spraying every few days to reduce the population. I know...I hate to put that much poision into the air but.... Then the day of....I would do lots of Yard guard....fans aw far as I could string them. Not blowing from the shrubbery into the crowd but from the crowd to the shrubs. and I would have a table with every type of repellant I could think of. No citronella candles...gag! I don't know what your time frame is, but skeeters become most active at dusk, It won't be too bad before that time and once it gets good and dark they sort of go to sleep. So perhaps a second run around the perimeter of the yard about 7:00 would further knock them back. Good luck....sounds lovely! Linda C...See MoreAppetizer Idea for casual dinner
Comments (15)Can I take changeling's idea a step further--stuffed artichokes are great, AND can be done in the microwave. Cut off the top part of the whole artichoke, and trim the points off the remaining leaves (can snap off the ones at/near the base). Clean out the inside of the artichoke (the choke). Roll in lemon juice and water (mixed) to retard browning of the cut edges. Place the artichokes in a baking dish that has some water and fresh lemon juice in the bottom. Mix together seasoned breadcrumbs, grated parmesan cheese, some minced or chopped garlic if desired, and a little olive oil. Gently pull leaf edge away from the artichoke, and sprinkle/stuff some of the breadcrumb mixture as close to the base of the leaf as possible. Do this around the entire outside of the artichoke, at the base of each leaf, sprinkling/packing in as much of the breadcrumb mixture as you can. Finish by filling the center cavity of the artichoke with more of the mixture. Cut some very thin slices of lemon, and cut each slice into small triangles of lemon. Stick the small lemon triangles between the leaves here and there (with the point of the triangle/lemon stuck down into the leaf and the top/rind part sticking up). Drizzle melted butter, olive oil, or both over the tops of the stuffed artichokes. Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap, poking hole or slits in the surface with a knife. Cook in the microwave for 9-11 minutes (2-4 artichokes), and then let stand for another 2 minutes, adjusting cooking time as needed (number cooked, size of the individual artichokes can vary...). Serve and enjoy!...See MoreHelp with a casual party
Comments (19)deborah_ps: I'm just pulling this thread forward to thank you for posting your Paella Salad recipe. I threw a very last minute party last night. I had a mix of Bulgarian and American friends, and I invited people over before I knew what I was making. One friend told me she was bringing Tarator (cold yoghurt, cucumber, dill and garlic soup), another offered to bring pork for the grill, another brought a ripe tomato salad... the cucumber soup reminded me of the discussion on this thread, so I made your Paella Salad as an accompaniment and set out an assortment of smoked meats, cured sausages, cheeses, fruits, veggies, nuts, sweets and chocolates. It wasn't "themed," and the menu jumped all over the globe, but it was easy and it worked... I didn't start shopping or cleaning until noon, and by 4:00 everything was ready and people were showing up. Thanks for "thinking out loud" and making my life easier in the process....See MoreHelp me pick apart our elevation.
Comments (65)I can tell you from experience that without the help of the folks of this forum, especially the architects, my house would not be the wonderful place it is today. I can say almost the same thing about our house building odyssey, plus we thought and planned for years -- which I know isn't normal lol -- before we finally built our house, which we finished last year. Building a house is an expensive, challenging venture no matter what, but the more planning and thought you can put into it before you start the building process, the better. We often say in this forum, "you don't know what you don't know", but if you keep an open mind, read widely (including through the archives", you'll learn and know more, which makes for a better building experience, and, in the end, a much better house and home. PS Virgil, we often say that about Saskatchewan, the next province over : ) ....See MoreDLM2000-GW
6 years agoDLM2000-GW
6 years agoDLM2000-GW
6 years agoBunny
6 years agodeegw
6 years agoDLM2000-GW
6 years agoDLM2000-GW
6 years agoDLM2000-GW
6 years agoDLM2000-GW
6 years agoDLM2000-GW
6 years agoDLM2000-GW
6 years agoOlychick
6 years agoDLM2000-GW
6 years ago
Related Stories
HOUZZ TOURSHouzz Tour: California Casual on the Upper West Side
High school sweethearts move from California to New York, then turn to a designer to help create a mini oasis
Full StoryGARDENING AND LANDSCAPINGA Pretty Backyard Dinner Party
Before and After: See how unfussy, vintage style and a simple menu adds up to a beautiful L.A. winter dinner outdoors
Full StoryKITCHEN OF THE WEEKKitchen of the Week: Casual Elegance and Better Flow
Upgrades plus a new layout make a D.C.-area kitchen roomier and better for entertaining
Full StoryHOUZZ TOURSMy Houzz: Casual Glamour in a Traditional Pittsburgh Home
2 homeowners revive their 1890s colonial revival with a lot of work, collected finds and vintage treasures
Full StoryDECORATING GUIDESDecorating With Antiques: Tables to Elevate the Everyday
They may have common uses, but antique tables bring a most uncommon beauty to dining, game playing and more
Full StoryDECORATING GUIDESSet Your Table for a Festive Dinner Party
A beautiful table creates the perfect setting for a memorable dining party
Full StoryMOST POPULAR9 Real Ways You Can Help After a House Fire
Suggestions from someone who lost her home to fire — and experienced the staggering generosity of community
Full StoryOUTDOOR KITCHENS8 Impressive Grills That Will Elevate an Outdoor Kitchen
These eye-catching grills and smokers bring a dose of beauty, style and innovation to cooking setups
Full StoryENTERTAININGSimple Pleasures: Host a Casual Happy Hour
Good company plus good cocktails, mocktails or brews equals a great, easygoing party
Full StoryDECLUTTERINGDownsizing Help: How to Edit Your Belongings
Learn what to take and what to toss if you're moving to a smaller home
Full StorySponsored
l pinkmountain