WEDDING WELCOME GABLE BOXES

Happy Wednesday TLB friends,

I hope you all had a great weekend! Hubby and I just got back from a whirlwind few days filled with all kinds of wedding bliss! Our daughter's wedding was last Saturday in Charleston, SC. It was a sunny day filled with so much love and happiness, we're still floating on "cloud nine!"

There were so many personal touches on the wedding I thought I would share some of them with you today and in upcoming blogs. Today's feature is their "Welcome Box." Each guest was greeted by a special gable box either when they checked in to the hotel lobby or when they visited the wedding Hospitality suite.

Since this was a destination wedding, everyone was from out of town. The grooms parents graciously hosted the Hospitality suite in the hotel which gave our guests a place to stop and say hello, grab a quick lunch and an adult beverage, and be on their way.

The Welcome boxes........

Attached to the handle of the Gable Welcome box was a Palmetto Rose and a Welcome label that read:

Welcome to Charleston, South Carolina

We are so excited you're joining us this weekend! While you are in town, we hope you

get to experience all that Charleston has to offer. Please see the reverse side for more 

details. In the Welcome Box, you'll see we chose to include a few things that represent

our lives, and a couple things to help you through the weekend.

BUCKEYES

A "B" family tradition from the state the "B's" lived in the longest.

VIRGINIA PEANUTS

From "N's" home state.

NORTH CAROLINA COOKIE

From the place we met and live.

BENNE WAFERS

These wafers are local to Charleston and are

thought to bring good luck!

PALMETTO ROSE
Another Charleston tradition; the roses are made from

Palmetto leaves and symbolize eternal love.

SUNDAY BRUNCH VOUCHER

This is your meal ticket for Sunday brunch.

LOVE,

"H" & "N"

(contents of box)

On the reverse side of the Welcome tag was the Weekend Itinerary for the guests to follow.

The following are some of the vendors that we used and would highly recommend:

1. Box Welcome/itineraries--https://www.etsy.com/listing/539623765/charleston-welcome-note-welcome-bag

2. Gable boxes-https://www.uline.com/Product/AdvSearchResult?keywords=handle+boxes&SubGroups=5618&view=ALL&TrackSearch=N

3.  Custom Monogram printed water bottle labels (2 of these were also in the boxes)-https://www.etsy.com/listing/222993124/custom-printable-water-bottle-labels?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=eventials%20monogram%20labels&ref=sr_gallery_4

4. Benne Wafers-http://www.oldecolonybakery.com/

5. Buckeyes-https://marshas-homemade-buckeyes.myshopify.com/

6. Virginia Peanuts-gift of the grooms family.

7.  North Carolina State Cookie-private NC baker.

8.  Palmetto Rose-https://palmettorose.com/

9. Official Charleston Visitors Guide-ordered FREE of charge from the Chamber of Commerce.

I hope you've enjoyed today's blog and it gives you ideas on what to put in your "Welcome boxes" at your weddings. I'll be posting more wedding ideas in the coming weeks!

Have a wonderful week!

Kathleen

IDEAS FOR HOLIDAY HOSTESS GIFTS

Good Morning Monday!

It's that time of year when the party invitations are arriving and there's always that question, "What gift should we bring for the host/hostess?

Having been on receiving end from our yearly parties I can tell you how much fun my husband and I have at the end of the evening. We typically can finally have that glass of wine and sample the food of the evening and while doing so, grab all of the hostess gifts, sit down and open them one by one. 

The note cards or tags attached range from gracious words of thanks to some not having any tag on them at all. At that point we try to recall who handed which one of us the gift. It's a great way for my husband and I to reminisce about the evening and it's almost like Santa came when it comes to opening the gifts. This is why we try to personalize our gifts when we reciprocate.
 Never fear this doesn't have to be a daunting experience and it doesn't have to be one that will break the bank. I've compiled some ideas for you to peruse to get your creative juices flowing. Above all, it's always a gracious act of kindness to thank your host with a gift, no matter what the size or cost; it is the thought that counts.

Come take a look and see what I found you....

1.  NEST candles--Holiday scent on Amazon- $32.00

http://www.amazon.com/NEST-Fragrances-NEST01-HL-

Holiday-Scented/dp/B0043R48Z4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1416086205&sr=8-1&keywords=nest+candle

2.  Monogram Border Flat Note Cards--$47.95 for #50

http://www.thestationerystudio.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/catalog.viewproduct/productid/13683/catid/2928/classic-monogram-border-flat-note-cards.html

3.  Bottle of wine, champagne or Prosecco-$15-$50
Any wine/liquor store.

4. Red Envelope--Personalized Red Wine Bucket--$47.99

http://gifts.redenvelope.com/gifts/personalized-leather-wine-bucket-30116126?REF=REDSRCHgoog_recip_20_hostess_kwd_%2bhostess+%2bgifts_b&prid=RDPS1420&viewpos=9&trackingpgroup=RHOST

5. Pottery Barn Winter Village Kitchen towel--$11.00

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/winter-village-kitchen-towel/?pkey=cgifts-for-host&

6. Pottery Barn Monogram Bottle Stopper--$15.50

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/blacksmith-metal-wood-bottle-stoppers/?pkey=cgifts-for-host&

7.  Marsha's Buckeyes--#4--8 oz. containers--$17.00
(some of my favorite Midwest candy--you can break these up for a couple of gifts)

http://store.marshashomemadebuckeyes.com/new-8-oz-deli-container-p2.aspx

8.  Stylish Silver Ceramic Vase with Premium Large Red Lion Amaryllis Bulb--$34.99

http://www.amazon.com/Stylish-Ceramic-Premium-Amaryllis-Bulb/dp/B00G28LIAU/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1416089350&sr=8-11&keywords=amaryllis+bulb+kit

9. Garrett Popcorn Shops--Garrett Mix--1 gallon-Garrett Signature Skyline container--$33.00
(Everyone's favorite from Chicago)

http://www.garrettpopcorn.com/flavors/cp-garrettmix.html

10.  American Spoon--Four Star Preserves--$42.00

(I love these preserves,they are excellent quality. This may be broken up into two gifts also)

https://www.spoon.com/four-stars.html

11. DIY Homemade Christmas jam--

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/christmas-jam

I hope this gives you some ideas and takes some of the stress out of the holiday season for you!

Now go ahead and and have a wonderful time at that holiday party!!

Kathleen

HARVEST COCKTAIL PARTY

Good Morning Monday friends!

It was a slightly misty cool evening, but our party spirits weren't dampened. The 3rd Annual Harvest Cocktail party at our home was a success. 

The beautiful floral arrangement below was a gift from a special friend. Each year she personally delivers her hostess gift to me before the party and each year it's perfect for my coffee table. I love this idea, one I think I will start paying forward. How about you, isn't this a terrific idea?

Our home was filled with the laughter of good friends, the scents of Fall and some delish food and drink.

I chose the color scheme this year when this beautiful pepper plant caught my eye on our trip to Terrain. It's unique and colorful appearance made it's way to it's rightful place of honor on the bar table..... the color palette was established.....red, gold and purple.  

This year the bar was set up in our living room. Only a couple of pieces of furniture were removed, opening the room up for mingling. The bar's new location made for easy navigation from the foyer directly into the living room. We did hire a bartender so that my husband and I were able to greet our guests. In my opinion this personal touch is really important if it fits into your budget.

My hubby hollowed out the pumpkin and poured Parafin wax inside to prevent water leakage then filled it with ice....a really unique Fall touch displaying white wine or even soda.

We also changed the location of the food this year. It was moved to the family room in place of a sofa table that was relocated. The new table location eliminated our need for wait staff. Everything was in easy reach for our guests to serve themselves as they mingled.

This year I got a bit nostalgic when planning the food choices for the evening menu. Some of the recipes I've used this year were updated versions of food that had been successful at some of our parties back in the 80's. 

Cocktail Party Menu:

-Spicy Pickled Shrimp
-Vegan Grain free Stuffed Mushrooms
-Caprese Pops
-Caramelized French Onion Dip
-Cocktail Meatballs w/homemade BBQ sauce
-Varietal Cheese tray

Simple bar set-up:
-Merlot & Cab
-Chardonnay & Pinot Grigio
-Craft Beer
-Pellegrino and several soda flavors

 On the menu:

The Spicy Pickled Shrimp was the hit of the evening. There were "4" shrimp left on the plate at the end of the party! 

Remember the French Onion dip way back when? This recipe puts the "oldie" to shame. Compliments were flying!!!

My hubby loves mushrooms and these were given his seal of approval; guests apparently felt the same way, they were completely gone!

The Caprese Pops were loved by all! A 3rd runner-up for hit of the party. So easy and delish!

This was the best meatball recipe I've ever made. The meatballs stay nice and firm....not like some that fall apart in preparation. These were the 2nd best hit of the evening!

Because every party needs a bit of sweets....we always have candy dishes filled with Marsha's Buckeye's from Perrysburg, OH----a family favorite from our days we called Perrysburg home.

AND-----mouth watering Italian cookies with a few decadent mini cupcakes.

I hope you've enjoyed our cocktail party pics. This week on FOODIE FRIDAY I will feature all of the recipes I used at the party. Hope to see you then!

Have a wonderful day!


Kathleen


 *****Please join us on Wednesday for our HALLOWEEN decorations!

Cocktail Party Prep

It's Wednesday..........only two more days until the cocktail party. I am getting so excited. On Sunday I sat down and prepared my final lists in detail checking off my accomplishments as I completed them.

• TO DO--which includes things like cleaning the house, preparing the yard, noting the Thursday window washer guy that will be coming, chilling trays, music play lists, making place cards for food, make a mani and pedi appt., and buying anything remotely related to a decorating need, cornstalks, pumpkins, mums, and stocking the frig with white wine, prosecco and beer. 

• CONFIRMATION--call one week before ---D'Angelo's Italian Market Princeton, NJ.... to confirm my order and delivery of  2 Antipasta trays and 2 Italian cookie trays, along with the confirmation of a server that will be assisting at the party for 5 hours. It makes my life a little easier if I order something to add to the menu that doesn't require more man hours from me!

• TO PURCHASE (non-food items)-- my husband and I completed this on Saturday. It includes everything from party decor to simple things like light bulbs. It is very detailed (because I HATE to run errands and get home and have forgotten something!) checking things off as we go and not coming home until the mission was completed. Keep in mind I do not do chaos well!

• MENU--I have been gathering menu ideas from magazine, cookbooks, and my own tried and true recipe files. I find it a bit more challenging to have a party these days with all of the food allergy issues that some guest may have; gluten intolerance, lactose intolerance, etc. Then there are the vegan, vegetarian etc. to consider as well. Keeping those in mind I crafted my menu making sure there was something for everyone. This is also the day that I choose what platters, dishes, trays and utensils I will be using and label them appropriately. I can just pull them out when preparing the food on the final day and plate them up. I also, do a dry run of where each platter will go on the tables, so the guess work at the last minute has been removed. It saves time and headaches in the end.

• GROCERY LIST--Make a final grocery list after crafting the menu. Since I also purchase my flowers and ice from my supermarket, they are always included as well. My shopping day is either Tuesday or Wednesday, two-three days before the party. Sometimes last minute fresh bread etc. will require one day before pick-up.

• FOOD PREP DAY-- One day before, I do as much food prep as possible.  I set aside the complete day. Cutting, chopping, assembling as many items that can be done ahead of time saves so much chaos on party day. I store everything in air tight containers, ready to place on trays the morning of the party.

• DAY OF PARTY-- EARLY DAY---Finish food prep and assemble trays. Stock bar with ice and fill beverage containers. Arrange food trays..........and oh that's right.......... WHEW-----I have to get ready too! Now where is that black dress????

We are doing something unique this year. With all of our moves we have come across some of the most awesome foods. So many times we reminisce about the taste of something-----how delicious it was or if I only had this for our party. This year I decided to make that happen. I am using two companies from our past to add a personal story to our party; Zingermans Deli from Ann Arbor, Michigan and Marsha's Buckeyes, from Perrysburg, Ohio!!! I am also making our token Houston Texas Margarita.......with a Fall spin.

When the boxes arrived I was so excited............

We love Zingerman's City Goat Cheese, Manchengo Cheese, Fig & Walnut Preserves and of course American Spoon Cherry Preserves made for Zingermans. These will all be featured on our cheese platters!

 

When we lived in Perrysburg, Ohio, Marsha had started her business in her basement. She is now shipping just about everywhere. Our box arrived neatly packed with ice in this perfectly arranged tray of #94 buckeyes.......pure heaven....peanut butter and chocolate!! AND won't these look beautiful displayed with our FALL theme?

 

 

When we lived in Houston, Texas I came across a Margarita recipe that will knock your socks off. I have shared this recipe and at the end of every evening it has been served there are a group of happy guests! I am making a new twist on our traditional recipe, paying homage to Houston, with a Fall version.


Well its time for me to get busy with the list of the day!  I hope you found this segment helpful with your party planning, maybe taking away an idea or two.

I will be back with the final party blog next Monday. Until then............

ENJOY  your weekend!