How "Nonni" Saved a 5 Year Old's Birthday Party!

“Grandma” (or in our case Nonni), “I want a Star Wars Millennium Falcon Cake for my birthday.” Never did such a few words from such a small, normally non threatening person (in this case Ady’s adorable almost 5 year old grandson) strike such fear into an adult’s heart. “Sure honey, whatever you want,” was her automatic and frightened answer.

Oh NO!!! A Star Wars Millennium Falcon Cake?! Like father like son, Ady thought, remembering the fascination her son had 30 years ago with Star Wars. She knew the Star Wars craze was back but didn’t expect it to be back in her kitchen. He might as well have asked for a piece of the moon. How on earth was she going to accomplish a millennium falcon cake?

Now, there are situations you can walk away from, and situations where you can fake the results, but when your own grandchild is involved you’ve got to come through.


Thank God for the internet, the repository of pretty much all knowledge these days. A quick search revealed a picture of a handmade cake. That was all she needed to be off and running. “I can do this, I can do this,” she told herself, because, at the end of the day, wouldn’t you jump through hoops of fire or vats of buttercream frosting, for your grandchild

1. Get a Duncan Hines (thank you very much to the guy who invented box cake mixes) delicious basic cake mix.



2. Make a pattern out of paper in the shape you need and then cut the cake to match
   


3. Buttercream frosting is next and you can buy it in a can or make it from a basic recipe found on the C & H confectioners sugar box. This becomes the delicious “glue” that holds everything together.
   


4. Star Wars men added to the top completed the picture and Nonni once again secured her place as the "Nonni" who could do ANYTHING!
   

Other people go to the gym or take a class in school or put together an Ikea dresser for that feeling of mastering something difficult. But let me tell you, completing the Millennium Falcon Cake ranked right up there. And, as with most things that seem daunting at first glance, looking back the whole thing was really simple.

Could anybody do this? Absolutely. Could YOU do this? Without a doubt. The idea is much trickier than the doing. Once you break it down into simple steps it really is a piece of cake.

Make it a Party with Flowers Flowers Flowers

Anybody who has ever tried to sell their house (or watched HGTV) has heard about curb appeal. That’s what makes the difference between a house that looks inviting “from the curb” or outside verses one that doesn’t look so appealing. What is it about a house with curb appeal that makes you take a second look and think, wow that looks pretty or sharp or cozy or inviting? My guess is that it looks well maintained, with paint that looks like it’s in good shape and a garden that looks like somebody cares about it.

Now, I can hear you saying to yourselves, lots of houses have fine paint and grass that is mowed, there has to be more to it than that. And you’d be right. It’s that extra step, the flowers blooming in a pot by the door or shrubs that form a pattern rather than looking haphazard. It’s going beyond what is required.

What does this have to do with party planning you ask? More than you might think. The same thing that makes one house have more curb appeal is the same thing that makes one party more special than another. It is the attention to detail in the little things.

One easy, inexpensive way to spruce up your party is to surround yourself with flowers. This doesn’t have to be an expensive trip to the florist. Take a look in your yard. Even the lowly geranium can look fantastic in a pretty vase with some greenery. Keep in mind this is not the ONLY way to spruce up your house but it is definitely one way.

This is what you are going to do:

• Round up flowers of whatever kind you have. If you have absolutely nothing in your garden, you might want to visit Costco, Home Depot or Trader Joe’s for an inexpensive bouquet.
• Cut greenery from trees and shrubs and use that as filler so you don’t need so many flowers. There is nothing off limits. If it has a leaf or even a pretty bare branch, cut it off and plan on using it. Don’t forget to try herbs such as mint. Mint stays fresh and smells wonderful.
• Find something to put your arrangement in. You are not limited to a traditional vase. Use a tea cup, a hollowed out cabbage, a small bucket, a drinking glass or a wine glass.
• If you are using something unusual, like a cabbage, get some oasis or florist foam that can be cut to any shape and will hold flowers in place perfectly while keeping them moist. You can buy this at a craft store like JoAnn Fabrics or Michael's.
• You can even lay flowers down on a buffet or table. Do this just before your guests arrive and some will stay fresh looking for hours without water. Or use little tubes to keep them moist. Use a clear bowl and float a single flower in it.
• Get plants from a garden store and put pretty paper around them or put the nursery containers in something pretty. When the party is over, plant them in your garden and your curb appeal will keep on growing.
• Put flowers everywhere. Put them on the table, either in the center or in little containers scattered on the table. Put them in the bathroom and on end tables. Don’t forget your kitchen counter. Even one little bloom in a thimble size vase will brighten up your party and make it look like you really cared.

So, even if you don’t do anything else, flowers will brighten your mood as well as your guests. Who can frown in the presence of all that beauty?

While your own imagination is going wild, send us your ideas to share with everyone. If you need additional ideas, just type in words like planning parties with flowers or unusual flower containers right into the google search bar on the right.

Effortless Pool Party for Kids and Grown-ups, Too!

There is something about planning a party at the pool that alternately evokes images of lazy days and frenzied terror. Going as a guest to a pool party sounds positively lovely. All you have to do is soak up the sun and strategically position the towel so you look your best without appearing to actually orchestrate it.
However, if you are the host or hostess it is another matter entirely. You are now the party planner and the success or failure of the party will fall on you.

• Is planning a simple pool party difficult?
• What if you get there and you have forgotten the crucial ingredients?
• What should you serve?
• Will the food hold up on a hot day?

What if… what if… what if…You might as well start to worry about lightning striking on a clear and beautiful day in southern California. It’s not going to happen and neither is the other stuff. And if it does you’ll just deal with it.
But we have to admit, a good party plan makes everybody feel better and we have a fool proof plan for you.

1. Here is your menu:

• Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (is there a kid around who doesn’t love these?)
• Deli roll ups (recipe to follow) for the adults or adventurous kids
• Carrot sticks, celery
• Apples, grapes, cut up cantaloupe or whatever your favorite fruit is
• Chips, Trader Joe’s Low Fat Pretzel Sticks and store bought dips
• Toll house chocolate chip cookies or Rice Krispy treats
• Drinks can be as simple as bottles of water
• It’s easier to store everything in a nice cooler.
• Paper plates & napkins
• Trash bag

Putting you party in the cooler keeps everything cold and you don’t have to worry about the food not holding up well. It has the added benefit of keeping all your food together in one place. If you don’t have a cooler just put a few bags of ice in with the dips.

2. Bring pool toys which can be purchased at your local grocery store, drug store or any discount store like Tuesday Morning, Big Lots or the local 99¢ store . There are great bargains at those store where you don’t have to spend a lot of money, but at the same time you can get a variety of pool toys. Blow up rafts, inner tubes, diving toys and squirt guns are great for the pool party. Don’t forget towels, sunscreen and extra shirts

3. That’s it. Get in the water, cool off and HAVE FUN

Recipe for Deli Roll Ups: (Makes 6 Rolled lavosh)

• Package of lavosh (12X18 rectangle) Found at Trader Joes, Wholesome Choice, Whole Foods and other markets
• Basil Herbed Cream Cheese (recipe below )
• 8oz package cream cheese, softened
• 6 T. mayonnaise
• 2 tsp. Italian seasoning
• 1-2 T. finely chopped fresh basil
• 1 tsp. granulated garlic
• Mix above ingredients until smooth
• Turkey breast and ham, sliced (3 slices to cover each lavosh 2- ham 1 turkey or 2 turkey and 1 ham)
• Tomato, sliced- cover the lavosh (about ½- ¾ tomato per lavosh)
• Red onion, finely chopped
• Green leaf lettuce, washed and thoroughly dried
  

1. Lay Lavosh on plastic wrap
2. Divide basil cream cheese into 6 parts and spread on lavosh.
3. Add thin slices of turkey breast and ham 2 turkey, 1 ham or 1 turkey, 2 ham
4. Add tomato slices
5. Sprinkle with chopped onion
6. Add the lettuce on top ( tear leaf lettuce and put on top of all ingredients.
7. Roll up tightly and wrap in plastic wrap.
8. Chill until firm or overnight.
9. Slice at an angle (which makes them much prettier, approximately 12-slices per roll),
10. Arrange on a large paper plate and serve. Easy and yummy.

Let’s Begin at the Beginning of Party Planning

Let’s start at the beginning of planning your party, which although it seems a logical place to start, is not always where lessons actually begin. We’re going to propose a simple formula for party planning and we will try very hard to follow it each and every time.

By following this you will realize that throwing a party is really very simple. (Although we might start by wondering why the term “throwing “ a party is used. Is it like throwing a ball or a Frisbee? Or maybe it is closer to throwing a fit when things don’t go right.) At any rate, if you go down this list as you plan your party it will make things more manageable.

1. What kind of party do you want to have? Coffee? Sit down dinner? Pot luck?

2. Is there a theme for this party? How formal or casual is this party?

3. Who are you going to invite? Are your dates flexible in case people can’t make it on the date you have selected? How are you going to invite people?

4. Where are you going to have the party? Outside? Kitchen? Dining room?

5. What are you going to serve?

6. How are you going to decorate?

7. How are you going to serve the food for the party?

Every party, from the most elaborate sit down dinner to the most casual back yard barbecue, follows this format. It’s really just the basics of who, what, where, when and how.

When you read the list you might think, this looks so easy, why was I so nervous which is exactly what we are hoping. From this point on it’s just a matter of adding the details that will make each party unique and successful. In future we will pay attention to how each of these 7 steps will be carried out, and what we can do to make them easy, fun and memorable.

Coffee Klatch or An Excuse to Get Together with Friends for an Informal Coffee Party

Okay, we know you are just the teensiest bit nervous about having people over. Or said more honestly, its been 5 years since anyone has stepped over your threshold and just the thought of it makes you want to hide under your covers and hug your pillow.

Not to worry, we’re here to help. And just like lots of things, baby steps are usually better than taking a huge plunge. So, instead of telling you how to plan a sit down dinner party for 12 we are going to start with planning a party that is something simple and less threatening, coffee with friends. The operative word here is friends.

Remember, the people you invite over are people you like and who like you. They are just looking forward to an opportunity to get together, they’re not out to rate you on how well you stack up to the latest issue of Home and Garden.

So, with that in mind, let’s get started.
1. The first thing is the guest list. Think of a few people you like who you think would enjoy a little morning get together. You don’t need to send them an elaborate invitation, just pick up the phone and call them, or send them an e-mail. You can invite 2 or 3 people or 10, however many you are comfortable with.

2. Next we need to decide what to serve. Since we’re planning on a morning coffee let’s have coffee, and some kind of sweet roll, quick bread, donut or muffin. You can buy these treats at any grocery store, Sam’s Club, Costco or Trader Joe’s. Buy what you like and your guests will probably like it too.

3. You could stop here but let’s give your guests a healthy alternative and serve some fruit. You can serve a bunch of grapes or cut an orange into quarters. If you have a melon of some kind, cut that into cubes or balls.

4. Now for presentation. It is here where you can show that you really cared about this little party and went to some trouble to make it pretty. We’ll start with the coffee.

• Make a pot of coffee so you are ready (Or order it from Starbucks, Peets, or Gloria Jeans.)
• Get cups or mugs ready and put them on a tray or line them up on the counter.
• Put cream or milk or flavored creamer into a pitcher. NO SERVING THE STUFF RIGHT OUT OF THE CARTON.
• Put sugar into a sugar bowl and if you are offering packets of low cal sugar, put them into a small bowl.

If people are fixing the coffee on the spot be sure to give them stirrers (try putting them into a small vase) or spoons to stir their coffee.

5. Decide where you will be having your coffee. At the kitchen table? Outside in comfy chairs? In the living room? Where ever it is, make sure the room is picked up and looking its best. Put the plate or platter of your muffins or donuts out and arrange the food prettily on it. NO SERVING THE STUFF OUT OF THE PLASTIC CONTAINER THEY CAME IN FROM THE STORE. Try putting a fresh flower ( from your garden )on your plate, to make it look really special.

6. Don’t forget the fruit. A pretty bowl of grapes or a bowl of cut up fruit will be appreciated by everybody.

7. Serve plates and forks and pretty little napkins and you are set.

Now, hopefully that doesn’t sound hard. You know just what to do and everything can be purchased. You can even get the coffee from a place like Starbucks, Peets or Gloria Jeans if you don’t want to make your own.
You’ve invited your favorite people and you know how to set out your food and condiments. All that is left is for you to sit back and relax. Without ever realizing it you’ve just thrown a lovely little coffee party.