Thanksgiving Dinner: Game On!

Leave a comment November 23, 2015 Maria

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!  This will be my only post this week, as my kids are home for the entire week and I’ve promised myself I’m taking the week off to focus on family and friendship.  But, I did want to leave you with some tips on hosting your holiday meal.  So here goes!  (I shared these in the spring, so I’m recycling a bit…but, all still apply to Turkey Day!)

If Snoopy can do it, so can you!

THANKSGIVING DINNER GAME PLAN

There is a lot that goes on before the actual meal to make it look effortless, even though it requires a bit of work (ok, a lot of work!). Over the years, I’ve developed some strategies I thought I’d share on how to successfully host a large crowd for dinner  and still manage to enjoy yourself, which a lot of us forget to do. A combination of advanced planning and a thorough to-do list makes hosting such an affair a lot less stressful and intimidating. Here’s how to approach it:

• Ask yourself, “What can I do in advance?” Plan out everything you can do in advance and then do those items ahead of time. For example, you can make sure linens are ironed, china is cleaned, wine is purchased, and silverware is ready up to a week (or more!) ahead of time. I even set my table a few days in advance with the glasses turned upside down so they don’t collect dust. Consider tasks like pre-ordering special meats, baked goods or flowers so that they are one less thing you have to worry about as the actual event approaches. You will be so happy you did!

• Create your menu and then have a corresponding shopping list. I type out my menu in a table and then have a corresponding column for ingredients and notes. By doing this ahead of time, you can check your pantry and figure out what you have on hand and what you need to purchase. This makes shopping so much easier. I usually have to go to at least two different grocery stores so I break things down further by creating a list for each store. There is nothing more annoying or stressful than beginning to cook only to realize you’ve forgotten a major ingredient. An organized shopping list will make sure this doesn’t happen. See sample below.

Menu Item	Notes
Chicken Marbella	Order chicken from Whole FoodsNeed: prunes, olives, capers, brown sugar, bay leaves
Roasted fingerling potatoes	Need: potatoes, fresh rosemary
Salad	Need: Bibb lettuce, pears, pecans, goat cheesePrep In Advance: Champagne Vinaigrette Need: shallot
Baguettes	Order from Guglhuaf
Fruit Tart	Order from Guglhauf
Wine & Prosecco	Trader Joes – Vouvray & Prosecco

• Have a “Day-to-Day” Game Plan. After I have thought through my menu and the tasks associated with meal, I break down my to-do list day-by-day. I think about what needs to be done 2 to 3 days before the meal, the day before and the day-of. This helps spread out the work and makes the day of the meal a lot less stressful. For example, I might need to marinate the meat 24 to 48 hours in advance of cooking it so I plan for this. I also do things like chop vegetables, make salad dressing and prep fresh herbs and lettuces by rinsing them and wrapping them in paper towel so they are ready to use.

• Delegate Tasks. My husband is my go-to-guy. Whenever we are hosting a large meal, he gets a list. He can’t cook, but he is awesome at running errands, picking up food items around town and helping with set-up and clean up. I also delegate food responsibilities to friends that will be attending. This usually means that someone will be coming with a fruit platter or dessert. Every little bit helps!

• Order some food items. Planning a large meal for over 8 people can be daunting. One of the ways I negotiate all of the work is to simply order some food items. Usually this means I will buy dessert from one of the wonderful bakeries in our area. This makes my life so much easier and just reduces stress. Ina Garten, chef and cookbook author, says she always buys one part of her meal to make hosting easier and more enjoyable. So, consider what you might purchase instead of prepare. Your guests will not mind!

• Keep notes for next year. If you host an annual dinner for a specific holiday, start keeping notes. A few years ago I started doing this for our Passover meal because there are so many little details to keep track of. Every year, I pull out my notes, update them and then carry on. It is SO HELPFUL. This year, I was especially thankful for these notes because I couldn’t recall some items, but as soon as I took out the notes, I thought, “Oh yeah! How could I have forgotten the parsley?!”

• Stop cooking / prepping 30 minutes before guests arrive and get yourself ready. Sometimes I have to force myself to do this, but I do it! Over the years I’ve learned that I need to give myself 30 minutes before the meal begins to enjoy a glass of wine and get myself dressed and ready. By attending to myself for these precious 30 minutes, I know I will be prepped to attend to my guests when they arrive. And, your guests will not mind if you are still assembling a platter or heating something up as they arrive. It really is ok to be putting finishing touches on dishes as guests arrive. You will enjoy yourself a lot more if you have carved out this time for yourself.
• ENJOY YOURSELF & YOUR GUESTS!

Cheers,

Maria

Back-to-School Series: Creating a Family Command Center

1 Comment August 12, 2015 Maria

Happy Wednesday, everyone!  I hope you have all been doing well and enjoying this week’s cooler weather.  Fall is definitely in the air, and I for one am so excited!  Fall is my favorite season for many reasons, including the beginning of school and a return to routines and structured schedules for my kids.

As my kids have gotten older, the number of commitments we have as a family have also increased.  Birthday parties, soccer games, Nutcracker rehearsals, riding lessons, etc. seem to multiply with each passing year.  Keeping track of all of these obligations can be really challenging and even stressful.  How many times do you get asked, “When is my recital?” or, “When is my project due?”  Who can keep track of all these things in their head?  If you can, please share your secrets here!  I have trouble remembering where I parked, much less remembering everyone’s schedules and appointments!

The Family Command Center

A great way to manage all of your family’s scheduling obligations, keep track of the week ahead and not be constantly asked about such things is to create a “Family Command Center.”  What’s this you ask?  Quite simply, it’s a place in your home where every member in your family – big or small – can reference to find out what’s going on.  This can be as simple as a large wall calendar with a board where items can be posted and referenced.  It can also be more elaborate, but the essentials include:

• A family calendar
• Printed schedules for both parents and kids
• Important notes
• “Week at a Glance” area

Extras might include:

• “What’s for dinner?” area
• “To Do” list
• Inspirational quotes
• Anything else that keeps your family sane!

Keep it as simple as possible because you don’t want to clutter the important stuff or make it difficult to clearly see the essentials.  Here are some examples…

This Family Command Center has a weekly “To Do” list, an area for posting important notes, a mail sorter, inspirational quotes and a place for everyone to store essentials upon arrival, like backpacks and jackets. SOURCE: http://www.thehomesihavemade.com

Easy and simple Command Center: inspirational quotes, calendar, and a sorter for items. SOURCE: http://www.howtonestforless.com

This Family Command Center works hard! SOURCE: oncreativehousewife.com

This one is my favorite because it’s functional and beautiful.  I love the accents of decor and inspirational quotes.

Location, Location, Location…

What’s important to consider is the location of where you’ll create this center for your family.  Ideally, the Family Command Center is in a highly visible place where every member, short or tall, can interact with it.  And, this is a place that is “alive” — that is, it’s constantly being updated and referenced.  No more asking mom or dad, “When is my soccer game?” or, “When are you going out of town for that work trip.”  It’s all here, and kids are empowered to reference and add to it.

Finally, I think the best way to make this station work hard is to meet as a family every Sunday and discuss the upcoming week’s schedules and obligations.  Take 15 – 30 minutes and discuss goals, appointments, meals, etc.  These 15 minutes can radically change the way in which your family launches into their week.  At the very least, you feel much more informed and at the very best, it becomes a weekly bonding family ritual.  (I feel another post coming on!)

I’m currently working on our Family Command Center and will share what I come up with in the weeks ahead!  We’ve had something in the past, but not nearly as powerful as what I’ve described here.

I hope I’ve inspired you to consider this as an option for your family.  Want more ideas?  Check out Bring Home Order on Pinterest, where I’ve created a board called, “Family Hub Center.”  Finally, if you already do this, please share your images with us and tell us how you’ve used your Command Center.

Enjoy!  ~Maria

Summer Entertaining Made Easy

Leave a comment May 28, 2015 Maria

I love entertaining so much that I will find any excuse to gather friends and family. This weekend while shopping at Target, I discovered square-shaped marshmallows and was inspired to have a bonfire. I texted my neighbors while waiting in line, and low and behold, we were on!  Later that night, we sat around our fire pit catching up and roasting s’mores for almost three hours!  It was particularly endearing to watch the older kids from our street entertain the younger ones, as it wasn’t so long ago that they were the little kids. (Now they’re driving!)

All this wonderful evening required on my part was a box of graham crackers, some Hershey chocolate bars, and the aforementioned marshmallows.  Oh, and a bon fire.  But the point is, this was easy.  No one cared that there was no other real food or that the evening was somewhat thrown together.  I think it was actually more fun because it was so last-minute.

The Joy of Entertaining

I’ve talked to many people that are intimidated by, and even afraid of entertaining. I think some people put so much pressure on themselves to have magazine-worthy parties that they psych themselves out and give up before they even try. Let me be the first to reassure you that no one cares if you have matching linens or if you use paper plates. The joy of entertaining comes from gathering friends in your home and making them feel welcome. If you can start and end with this premise, entertaining becomes a whole lot easier.  And anyway, most of those parties in magazines are staged!

Pantry Preparedness

With a few simple items from your pantry, some drinks, and a willingness to share your home, you’re ready to host a gathering. Below are some ideas for casual summer entertaining, complete with menus that can easily be assembled with items in your freezer/pantry and a quick run to the grocery store (or local restaurant!). Remember to keep it simple: if you want to use paper products, do so. If you want to order in a few items from a restaurant, do it. Just don’t deny yourself the joy of sharing warm summer evenings with your friends because you feel like you have to entertain like Martha Stewart.  But by all means, if you like going all-out with flowers, linens and decor, go right ahead.  Just do what will allow you to enjoy yourself and spend time with your friends.  If you are relaxed and having fun, your guests will follow your lead.

All of these menus are meant to be ideas – just pick a few items or make up your own. Serve them as a buffet or tapas-style for casual gatherings.  Add a few tea candles around the food for ambience, or don’t.

Mediterranean Tapas	Tex-Mex Round-Up	Southern Pickings, Y’all!	Asian Delights
*Jarred Olives	* Corn Chips	Pimiento Cheese Dip	* Pot Stickers (keep them in your freezer)
* Crackers	* Jarred Salsas	* Cheese Straws	* Egg Rolls (keep them in your freezer)
* Cornichons	* Quesadillas (I keep tortillas and shredded cheeses in my freezer)	* Peanuts	Sushi
* Spiced Almonds	Guacamole	Order-in Fried Chicken	* Seaweed crackers
Assorted Cheeses	Black Bean Salad or 7-Layer Dip (Beans, cheese, sour cream, tomatoes, lettuce, avocados, corn chips, and salsa)	* Cornbread muffins (make from mix in your pantry)	* Asian Cracker Mix
Assorted cured meats, such as prosciutto	Taco Bar: meats, beans, rice, tortillas, salsa, sour cream, lettuce, etc.	Mac ‘n Cheese	* Edamame
Hummus or other types of dips, like white bean, eggplant or lentil-based	Tortas: Mexican-style sandwiches	Biscuit Sandwiches	Seaweed Salad
Fresh Crudites Platter (Blanched Vegetable Platter)	Churros or Flan	Deviled Eggs	Cold Peanut Noodle Salad topped with shredded carrots, green onions and toasted sesame seeds
Drinks: Wines from France, Greece or Italy	Drinks: Sangria, Mojitos, Margaritas, Coronas with limes	Drinks: Mint Juleps, Bourbon-based drinks, various beers, refreshing white or sparkling wines to complement salty foods	Drinks: Sake, Asian Beers

* Items you can store in your pantry or freezer for impromptu gatherings. I like to keep such items on hand so that I’m ready when the entertaining itch strikes.  Remember…

Cheers!  ~Maria

Hosting a Large Meal: How to Pull it Off and Still Enjoy Yourself

1 Comment April 3, 2015 Maria

This weekend many of us will be hosting special meals with family and friends for either Easter or Passover. In our family, we always host a large Passover Seder, usually for 15 to 18 people.   There is a lot that goes on before the actual meal to make it look effortless, even though it requires a bit of work (ok, a lot of work!). Over the years, I’ve developed some strategies I thought I’d share on how to successfully host a large crowd for dinner (or brunch) and still manage to enjoy yourself, which a lot of us forget to do. A combination of advanced planning and a thorough to-do list makes hosting such an affair a lot less stressful and intimidating. Here’s how to approach it:

• Ask yourself, “What can I do in advance?” Plan out everything you can do in advance and then do those items ahead of time. For example, you can make sure linens are ironed, china is cleaned, wine is purchased, and silverware is ready up to a week (or more!) ahead of time. I even set my table a few days in advance with the glasses turned upside down so they don’t collect dust. Consider tasks like pre-ordering special meats, baked goods or flowers so that they are one less thing you have to worry about as the actual event approaches. You will be so happy you did!

• Create your menu and then have a corresponding shopping list. I type out my menu in a table and then have a corresponding column for ingredients and notes. By doing this ahead of time, you can check your pantry and figure out what you have on hand and what you need to purchase. This makes shopping so much easier. I usually have to go to at least two different grocery stores so I break things down further by creating a list for each store. There is nothing more annoying or stressful than beginning to cook only to realize you’ve forgotten a major ingredient. An organized shopping list will make sure this doesn’t happen. See sample below.

Menu Item	Notes
Chicken Marbella	Order chicken from Whole FoodsNeed: prunes, olives, capers, brown sugar, bay leaves
Roasted fingerling potatoes	Need: potatoes, fresh rosemary
Salad	Need: Bibb lettuce, pears, pecans, goat cheesePrep In Advance: Champagne Vinaigrette Need: shallot
Baguettes	Order from Guglhuaf
Fruit Tart	Order from Guglhauf
Wine & Prosecco	Trader Joes – Vouvray & Prosecco

• Have a “Day-to-Day” Game Plan. After I have thought through my menu and the tasks associated with meal, I break down my to-do list day-by-day. I think about what needs to be done 2 to 3 days before the meal, the day before and the day-of. This helps spread out the work and makes the day of the meal a lot less stressful. For example, I might need to marinate the meat 24 to 48 hours in advance of cooking it so I plan for this. I also do things like chop vegetables, make salad dressing and prep fresh herbs and lettuces by rinsing them and wrapping them in paper towel so they are ready to use.

• Delegate Tasks. My husband is my go-to-guy. Whenever we are hosting a large meal, he gets a list. He can’t cook, but he is awesome at running errands, picking up food items around town and helping with set-up and clean up. I also delegate food responsibilities to friends that will be attending. This usually means that someone will be coming with a fruit platter or dessert. Every little bit helps!

• Order some food items. Planning a large meal for over 8 people can be daunting. One of the ways I negotiate all of the work is to simply order some food items. Usually this means I will buy dessert from one of the wonderful bakeries in our area. This makes my life so much easier and just reduces stress. Ina Garten, chef and cookbook author, says she always buys one part of her meal to make hosting easier and more enjoyable. So, consider what you might purchase instead of prepare. Your guests will not mind!

• Keep notes for next year. If you host an annual dinner for a specific holiday, start keeping notes. A few years ago I started doing this for our Passover meal because there are so many little details to keep track of. Every year, I pull out my notes, update them and then carry on. It is SO HELPFUL. This year, I was especially thankful for these notes because I couldn’t recall some items, but as soon as I took out the notes, I thought, “Oh yeah! How could I have forgotten the parsley?!”

• Stop cooking / prepping 30 minutes before guests arrive and get yourself ready. Sometimes I have to force myself to do this, but I do it! Over the years I’ve learned that I need to give myself 30 minutes before the meal begins to enjoy a glass of wine and get myself dressed and ready. By attending to myself for these precious 30 minutes, I know I will be prepped to attend to my guests when they arrive. And, your guests will not mind if you are still assembling a platter or heating something up as they arrive. It really is ok to be putting finishing touches on dishes as guests arrive. You will enjoy yourself a lot more if you have carved out this time for yourself.

Finally, ENJOY YOURSELF. When we host large meals, we often forget this important detail. Make sure you’re having fun, sharing stories and partaking in the conversation. Striving for perfection is the surest way to stress oneself out. No one wants that – especially you.

Our Seder table

Happy Spring and enjoy your holidays! ~Maria