Gifted Hostess Series, episode one

February 05, 2016






I'm fortunate to know many gifted hostesses who know how to throw terrific parties of all kinds--big and small, casual and formal.  But whatever their entertaining style, all great hostesses have one thing in common:  their guests have a good time.  Readers often tell me they are afraid to entertain--and it's not the work they are afraid of but the fear that their parties will be no fun!  So what makes a good party?  I think most of us would say good food, a well-stocked bar, interesting guests, with music and decorations being a big bonus.  But that's way too general.  This post begins a new entertaining series showcasing some fantastic hostesses, sharing their specific tips with menus, recipes and style hints that you can incorporate into your own party giving.

The hostess sets the tone for the evening.  If she is calm and genuinely happy that you've come, then the party has a 100% chance of being a success.  The only way I'm able to keep calm is if I'm organized and have not taken on more than I can handle. For the menu, I allow one difficult dish and everything else has to be fairly easy. And if I've learned anything from hosting 100-plus parties, it's to do as much as possible ahead of time.  I know I've got to do some kitchen duties while the guests are here, but EVERYTHING possible has been prepped before hand.  I didn't invite my guests over for them to wonder where I am, only to have me emerge from the kitchen pink-faced and frazzled from cooking!  Lately, I've been hiring a kitchen helper, and what a Godsend, but that's a recent gift I give myself.  Kitchen help doesn't mean my menu changes or that I still don't prep everything I can;  it simply gives me an extra hand while serving and someone to do the dreaded clean up.  Money well spent, and even my husband agrees with that.

I'm happy to kick off this series with one of my favorite hostesses, Rene.  You've met her on this blog many times.  She has a gorgeous apartment in the city with a view to die for.  (San Francisco is the city, the lovely city by the bay, of which she has a beautiful view).  But tonight's party is at her vineyard home in the foothills of the coastal mountain range, close to where I live.   I love to be entertained there!  The occasion was the January meeting for our "party group", a monthly gathering  of friends that meets the 2nd Friday of every month.  We've been doing this for close to a year now and it's been a great success, but more about that another time.  For now, enjoy some pictures, a fabulous (and fabulously easy) ice cream recipe and a few of Rene's entertaining tips.



Another table was set up in the living room.


Our Friday night parties are pot-luck, with the hostess making the main course and the rest of us with the sides. Just before dinner we get to work in the kitchen, and below, the buffet is set.




Come with me, let's snoop around the house!







Look what I found in the guest room--Kaffe's Afghan KAL!
Rene is an accomplished knitter and quilter who loves color!

 


Menu

Mini Gougere Puffs
Crab Spread

(This was my contribution.  I served 1/2 cup portions in tiny glass mugs.  A hit!)

Beef Bourguignon, from San Francisco a la Carte
Fresh Peas
Fresh Green Beans
Carrot Puree
Noodle Casserole

Fresh Berries
(The BEST lemon ice cream!)

Take away tips:
  • A bowl of lemons, or any seasonal fruit, makes a beautiful centerpiece.
  • Cluster candles in decorative votives on a platter for a glowing focal point.
  • You don't always need a full bar; Rene and Brian served a selection of wines, and spoiled us by serving several selections from their own vineyard.
 Please click here to leave a comment.

Come back next week for my Valentine's Party.

xo


You Might Also Like

3 Comments

  1. Love the idea of this new series. Can't wait for more! Real eye candy during a drab part of the year (in southern Ontario anyway).

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dear Kristen

    You know by now how I/ we your blog followers love your articles. It had to be you to come up with the latest, the 'Gifted Hostess Series'. Can't wait for the next episode.
    Thank you for brightening up my day.

    Jennifer

    ReplyDelete
  3. I want to be friends with your friends! ;)
    This looks like a fun series!

    ReplyDelete

You make my day when you make a comment!

Labels

afghan Alana Dakos ally pally ambassador Amy Herzog Ankestrick Arte Italica baby Baby Cocktails bakelite baking berry picking Best Friday of the Month best of Ravelry Big Sur blue transferware book review books boutique brook cables California candy child children children's activities Christmas Christmas crafts Christmas knitting cleaning collections cookie cutters cookies cooking craft Crafts crochet cross-stitch day trip decluttering decorating designer spotlight discount diy dog dolls Easter eau de vie Elizabeth Bradley Elizabeth Zimmerman embroidery entertaining Facebook fall fall decorating fall garden family featured first car fit flower arranging flowers free pattern Friday night party group friends funny Fur garden gardening Giants Gifted Hostess give-away giveaway gluten free gourmet group Halloween herbs holiday home how to set up a party group jewelry Kaffe Fassett KAL Kim Hargreaves kitting Knit Picks knitting laundry Le Jacquard Francais Little French Knits Los Altos lunch Mailbu Making Things Marie Wallin Martin Storey menu minimalism money talk mosaic movies my house my patterns my town nails needlepoint needles October challenge Octoberfest ollalie organizing original design outdoor seating owl party prep pear peg dolls pies pomegranates poncho preview quilting recipe recycling redwork review roses Rowan San Francisco Sarah Hatton sewing sewing room tour shawl shopping shower social media softie spring spring garden stash Stitches West summer summer garden summer knitting Sunday Morning Swans Island table setting test test knit Thanksgiving Three Irish Girls TNNA tomatoes top 10 list toys travel tutorial twinning ufo Uncommon Threads vacation Valentine vegetable garden videos wedding winter garden wip Woolfolk yarn yarn for sale Ysolda