Entertaining

Eat

First BBQ (Sort Of)

For our first dinner in our new home, we thought we'd do a BBQ by the pool. Or, rather, in the pool, because those kids are ob. sessed. (As an aside, because the safety issues surrounding kids and pools clearly deserve mention - our approach this weekend was to have a serious talk with our son about pool safety, confirm that the gate around the pool was secure, and install a home security system that also chimes whenever the doors to the backyard open.)

The BBQ plan was slightly confounded by the fact that we don't actually own a grill yet (although we will as of 4PM today, when it gets delivered, so if you have any fun recipes pleeeeeease pass them on; I plan to cook outdoors every single night, all summer long and my grilling repertoire is pathetic), but I dug our old stovetop grill from our NYC apartment out of a box, and that did the job. Also I could totally have served my family old taco shells and they would have been perfectly happy, because: pool.

The Menu: Since first meals in new homes should be 1) simple to make (because most of our utensils are still MIA) and 2) WONDERFUL, I went with my all-time favorite summer menu; it's fast and easy and inexpensive and so, so (so) delicious.

Entertaining

A Garden Party to Celebrate (And Say Good-Bye)

This weekend's party was beautiful to look at, but even more beautiful to be at.

You know, ever since I was a little girl I've gotten a bit teary every time a party comes to a close: once the food is eaten and the drinks are drunk and the candles are burning down and everyone’s gone and it’s just me and Kendrick puttering around, picking up discarded glasses and plates and wiping down countertops and floors, I look around and think wait.

Come back.

Decor

Easiest-Ever Black, White & Green Holiday Tablescape

I like a pretty tablescape as much as the next fancy-pants, but what I do not like is buying items that I will use exactly one week out of every year. This holiday season, I'm going for a Christmassy table setting comprised entirely of items that I either already own or have plucked from my very own backyard, making it both completely practical and completely free, whee.

Black, White & Green Holiday Tablescape

1. Pull every single white, black and gold piece of china you own out of your cupboards, and layer 'em up. If you've got any Jadeite or other green serving pieces, throw a couple of those on there, too.

Entertaining

Dipped Everythings For Your Holiday Celebrations

Years ago, when I worked as the manager of a law firm, the holidays meant one thing:

FOOD.

The baskets arrived every day from Thanksgiving on: dried fruit, specialty coffees, fancy cheeses, and chocolate-covered everything, with little cards tucked inside (“Thanks for a great year!”) from clients.

When I started my own business a couple of years later and started sending out holiday presents to associates of my own – including a food-type gift to each office with which I worked – I sifted through my memories of those Christmas baskets, trying to remember what everyone had liked best…and the answer was obvious: