Easy Peasy Dinner Party Menus

I'm planning a dinner party for one of my dearest friends, as a birthday celebration. I've been thinking of this for quite some time, and have finally started the ball rolling by picking a day and sending invites. 

Now it's time to plan the menu!

Mountain Mama Is Nominated For An Award

I can't believe it, but for the THIRD year in a row this humble little blog of mine is nominated for the Amara Interior Blog Awards.

Whaattt???

A Celebration of Life and Love

I apologize for my radio silence. 

It's been one of those weeks. 

I feel as if I have barely had time to breathe, never mind write. 

Summer Cocktail Party Menu

I haven't hosted a dinner party in a while, so I started planning a date for a get-together. 

As things do, it snowballed into a gathering of about 20. 

Entertaining on the Deck - Finally!

Wasn't it just the most glorious weekend? 

I'm sure you can understand why I wasn't attached to my laptop this weekend. 

As a matter of fact, I spent the entire weekend outside in the fresh mountain air - and nothing could have made me happier!

Some very wonderful things happened in my little world this weekend, in addition to the incredible weather. 

Creating an Outdoor Entertaining Space

Our weather is all over the place these days with sunshine and blue skies one day followed by freezing rain and snow the next. 

Thankfully, we know it won't last forever and I'm really excited to get my deck ready for another great summer season in the mountains. 

It's All Worth It At The End of The Day

Dinner parties are wonderful. 

The candles are lit....the music is playing in the background....and the stage is set for another wonderful evening filled with loved ones, laughter, and a fabulous feast.

The Calm After.....

A Belated Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all my lovely readers out there!!  

I have been missing in action for a couple of days....hard to avoid when I've been up to my eyeballs with last minute Christmas preparations. 

And it was all worth it. 

A good time was had by all.....

....except these poor little colorful stuffed critters that met their demise within minutes!

Christmas is a busy, busy time in my little mountaintop home as it is for many - cooking a big feast for my whole extended family always keeps me hopping on the big day. 

Potatoes were peeled out on the garden swing on this 60 degree Christmas. No complaints there!

Prime Rib was smothered in minced garlic from the garden and roasted to perfection. 

Tummies were happy, cocktails were flowing, and there was laughter throughout my new home. 

Just as it should be on such a glorious day. 

When all is said and done I find such peace at the end of the evening when the kitchen is tidied, the dishwasher running, and the house is calm and somewhat clean again. 

And I can take a seat at the end of a long day and just spend time with my sister, catching up on what's going on in her life. That's what the holidays are truly about, after all. 

After a much needed sleep I awoke to a beautiful sky and much colder temps than yesterday. The forecast finally calls for some snow on Monday evening....we'll see what happens but I'm hoping!

The local ski resorts are really suffering this season and need some cold temps in order to blow snow - although some natural snow at this point would be even better. 

We didn't have our White Christmas but perhaps a White New Year's is coming our way?

Fingers crossed. 

Meanwhile, I'm heading to the garden to do a few more chores in preparation for the coming winter. 

After all, it has to come sometime. 

Christmas Cocktails

Our weather forecast here in the mountains of Upstate NY says we will reach a high of 67 degrees tomorrow....on Christmas Eve. 

Are you kidding me?

Where's my white Christmas?

I think in light of the weather our Christmas Eve Cocktails will be by the outside firepit on the deck. 

Because, hello? SIXTY SEVEN DEGREES!

On Christmas Eve. 

I just can't. 

So, instead of a hot beverage on Christmas Eve, we're going to switch things up this year. 

A nice frosty Tuscan Pear Cocktail with ginger sounds heavenly!

As does this Pomegranate Vodka Gimlet  with fresh lime. 

Sweet Paul created this White Russian with Toasted Marshmallow Garnish which sounds like such a treat - dessert in a glass, anyone?

Sweet Paul keeps the party going with this Norwegian Forest Cocktail  - mmmmm those berries, rosemary, and lime sound refreshing on a HOT winter's day! Ahem. 

If you have some more berries leftover how about some Jingle Jangle Punch? 

 Or mix yourself up a Merry Maple Margarita for a twist on a summer classic. 

This Caramel Apple Sangria would be fabulous for a crowd...if you feel like sharing. 

And for a non-alcoholic crowd pleaser how about this Cranberry Cider Punch from How Sweet Eats. 

For 20 more holiday cocktail ideas why don't you head over to Swanky Recipes - there are some terrific ideas on that site I might just have to work my way through over the holiday period!

Sounds like a plan. 

It's tough work but somebody's got to do it!

Cheers!

Easy Peasy Entertaining - Dinner Party

I love to cook, no secret there. And I really love to share my meals with friends and family. 

But I work full time, and we seem to have a very busy social life. 

It can be hard to find the time to host a dinner party with everything else that is going on in life. 

I actually prefer to host midweek, after work. I have to cook dinner anyway so why not have a few friends over to share? Plus I don't get myself all crazy cleaning unnecessary things in the house like I would on the weekend. It is what it is.....and another bonus? I'm already showered, dressed, and have makeup on! When I host on the weekend the last thing I take care of is me....the house looks perfect but I'm answering the door with wet hair and no makeup on. 

So....what are my secrets for hosting a midweek dinner party?

K.I.S.S. 

Keep It Simple, Stupid!

That's what I tell myself. 

And sometimes I even listen to my own advice!!

Tonight I am hosting dinner for 6. The menu? 

Simple. 

Cheese Board and Cocktails to start. Easy. 

Salad with mixed greens, cranberries, sliced apple, red onion, goat cheese, and pistachios - dressed very simply with olive oil, blackberry ginger balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper. 

The Very Best Veggie Lasagna Ever. Remember when I told you about that? And I made a few for the freezer? Yup, that was for dinner parties. I pulled a large one out of the freezer on Sunday and put it in the fridge to thaw. I'll cover it with foil and pop it into the oven when I get home from work. 

And some lovely soft squishy Snowflake Rolls I picked up at the market last night. Yummmmmm!!

Dessert? Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream with Sliced Strawberries. 

Easy peasy, right?

To make things even easier on myself when I get home tonight I did the prep work before I left for work. 

The cheese board is out on the counter with the knives and crackers I need....the grapes are washed and ready....I left out the mixed nuts along with a bowl....and covered the whole thing with a tea towel. 

The big wooden salad bowl and salad servers are out on the prep island along with the dried cranberries, an apple, the pistachio nuts, the olive oil, and the blackberry-ginger balsamic. I forgot the red onion...drat. I hope I don't forget to add the onion to the salad!

The bread basket has a clean napkin liner ready to go, the rolls are left out where I won't forget them, and the foil is right next to them so I remember to wrap them and pop them into the oven when I take out the lasagna. 

I even lined the baking pan in foil already - the lasagna will be put on top of here and popped into the oven - the foil makes cleanup of any bubbling over super simple. 

I trimmed the wicks of all the candles and refilled the dining room table candles that had burnt out. I even left out the candle lighter. 

I took the clean plates and silverware right from the dishwasher this morning and set the table first thing. Kill two birds and all that!

When I get home from work, I will do the following:

1. Cover the lasagna with foil and pop it into a 350 degree oven

2. Run around with the vacuum quickly

3. Put on a good Pandora station that suits my dinner guests tonight 

4. Light the candles 

5. Make sure the lighting is just right for entertaining - not too bright, not too dim

6. Wrap the rolls in foil and leave out some butter to soften

7. Make the salad - I won't dress it until the last minute before serving, however 

8. Make myself a cocktail 

9. Freshen my makeup and hair

10. Play hostess

Done. 

Easy Peasy Entertaining. 

What are your tricks for K.I.S.S. Entertaining?

One Room Tour - My Dining Room

Ok, so I  might be a little obsessed with my dining room.  The sun shines in at a certain time in the  mornings and the curtains glow and the crystal sparkles and the wood glows and it just makes me smile. I look into the room while I'm making my coffee in the morning and it just feels like I'm exactly where I am supposed to be. You know that feeling?  If you don't,  I truly hope someday you do....

My morning view from the coffee maker

The light is changing - the leaves are falling rapidly, many of the trees are already bare, and we're heading into that thinner winter light. 

I don't care, I'll take it. I think this house gets more sun than any of the other homes I've lived in. I'm absolutely crazy about the sunshine in my new home. And pretty much my new home in general. 

My dining room isn't trendy by any stretch of the imagination. I don't have a big farmhouse table with skirted chairs or a painted hutch or white china. That's a gorgeous look but I tend to go more for a country feel with color and warmth and plants galore. 

I bought the table with the house because I loved it so much and thought it really suits the space. There are 2 leaves in it right now but when they come out it's a perfect little round table for 4. The antique chairs came with the table and 3 of them had to go out for repairs - the cane on the seats was destroyed.  I can fit 8 around the table comfortably, which works very well for dinner parties. 

My china cabinet came from Craigslist last year, before I even moved into my new home. Back in those long months when I was waiting for the closing. Long, long months. I paid $125 for this piece, delivered to my house and carried inside. I love the old look of it and it's just the right size for this little corner. I keep my crystal and wine/cocktail glasses in this piece, with napkins and placemats in the drawer. There wasn't enough room for my tablecloths, so they are in the basket under the hutch. And some are in the linen closet. Yup, I might have a few too many tablecloths. Oops. 

The basket came from Pottery Barn and of course I bought it on sale with a coupon. I refuse to pay full price! Refuse, I tell you!!

I bought a set of casters and attached them to the bottom of the basket simply using zip ties. Then my sweetie cut a piece of wood to set into the bottom of the basket to make it a little stronger - those linens can be a little heavy! 

In the other corner is my bar. We like to entertain and it's nice to be able to offer people their choice of cocktail when they arrive. This little bar is actually a dry sink that I bought at a yard sale about 15 years ago for $40. I just gave it a good cleaning and have loved it in each of my homes since. Underneath I keep cocktail mixers, soft drinks, straws, ice bucket, shakers, etc. In the drawers are taper candles to the left and after-dinner chocolates to the right - except that I may or may not have eaten them all. I'm not saying. 

The picture above is a daily reminder of an item on my bucket list - for my next big birthday I want to travel to Paris with my two beautiful daughters. They need to start saving!

All my infused alcohols are set out on the bar ready for sampling. Who will be my first taste tester? Any volunteers?

In between the china hutch and the bar is this little bench that used to be right inside the entry of my rental house. I placed it here a few months ago for lack of a better spot for it and I found I really like it there! I can sit on it and look out the window, almost like a window seat. And it can also serve as extra seating at the table if we are really trying to cram more people in. 

Oh, and the little Monkey has decided it's hers. She likes to watch the world outside and then settle in for a snooze. 

You can see how the dining room relates to the kitchen - it's an open space, perfect for entertaining. When I'm cooking people can sit at the counter and be right there with me for a chat. I love it. 

I can be at the stove cooking and still part of the gathering. As you know, everyone always loves to gather in the kitchen! 

I bought small scale stools for this counter so that they took up less space in the dining room but also so the backs didn't protrude too far over the counter top for passing dishes from one space into the other. 

Smart, eh? I told you. I had tons of time to think and plan. It took 5 long months to close on this house. I thought I was going to lose my mind. 

Anyway. 

This is looking back towards the dining room. One big happy space. Well, not that big. but compared to NYC apartment kitchens? Ginormous!! Perfect size for me. 

In the other corner I have my little wine cabinet. Most of my wine is stored in the lower level now  but I keep a few bottles up here. This little corner is just perfect for the wine cabinet. And of course every wine cabinet has to have a red sequin sparkly high heeled pump to hold your current bottle, right?

Of course. Duh. 

From that corner looking into the dining room there's a view of the mountains out the window. And tomatoes everywhere....ripening slowly. Remember the giant harvest? Yeah. We're going to be eating lots of meals with tomatoes....and celery. Hey, nothing wrong with that!!

So now you got the whole tour. What do you think? 

Doesn't have to be "trendy" to be awesome. Go with your heart. If you love it, it will show. 

I'm in love.