December 25th, 2015

How To Keep Your Christmas Merry

How to Keep Your Christmas Merry

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

I mean, isn’t it?

Well, sometimes, it can get out of hand. With feuding relatives, inflated expectations, persnickety houseguests and a myriad of other intangibles, holiday time can be … not so nice. So let’s you and I make a pact to be the ones to rein it in when it gets hairy. Deal?

Think – MERRY instead of HAIRY.

In my house, everything begins and ends with food. So a delicious meal actually solves a lot of problems.

Is your 13-year-old nephew looking bored because his mom told him this is a “no-phone zone?” Teach him how to season a steak!

It’s a fun little activity that will serve him well in his later years. And it’ll get him up off the couch and DOING something. Hey, he’ll be spending special time with you so the day won’t be a total loss. Score!

These holiday meals can be a wonderful time of bonding and sharing. So make sure to serve something special that everyone will love.

We all just scarfed down a smoked turkey over Thanksgiving. So why not try a prime rib roast this time?

It’s so tender and juicy and the aroma coming from the oven makes for some wonderful memories.

Keep an eye on the seating chart at this spectacular meal, though. And create a scenario where the meal can be successful – if you know what I mean.

YOU know who shouldn’t be sitting next to whom. So make sure you control that. Then, everyone can focus on the amazing food and not Cousin Phil’s annoying knee clicking.

There’s bound to be more time for complimenting the chef that way. See? We all can win!

Be mindful of all the landmines that are inevitably there when a large group of varied personalities gets together and keep the focus on the food – and ALL will be merry and bright.

Happy holidays!


December 23rd, 2013

Holiday Entertaining Checklist

It’s almost time for holiday meals! Are you ready?

Here’s a wonderful holiday checklist to make sure you’ve got everything covered.

Appetizers? Check. Entrees? Check. Side dishes? Check. Desserts? Well, you get the picture.

Check it out and make sure you don’t forget a thing!

Photo courtesy of KansasCitySteaks.com.


December 17th, 2013

Holiday Entertaining Tips: Don’t Start a Beef While The Beef is Cooking

It’s time to be festive, right?

So why spend time this holiday season squabbling with cousin Mabel over that $11 she still owes you from 1974?

Holiday Entertaining Tips

While that luscious roast is in the oven, here are my top 10 holiday entertaining tips to pass the time with the fam INSTEAD of arguing:

  1. Drink wine.
  2. Talk about how big the kids are getting.
  3. Brag about the 92 Billy got in Home Ec (I believe they call it “Skills For Living” now. :))
  4. Drink more wine.
  5. Discuss the menu so anticipation can build.
  6. Avoid the topic of politics at all costs.
  7. Lay out your plans to make 2014 “YOUR YEAR.”
  8. Drink some more.
  9. Brag about your kids again (no one will remember – see #1, 4 & 8).
  10. Be sure to tell your loved ones how happy you are that you are together!

Photo courtesy of KansasCitySteaks.com.


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