This week we will look at
decorations for your entertaining. This
is an important step and can be as simple as fresh flowers for the centerpiece
or as elaborate or formal as the occasion requires. Give some thought to this taking into consideration
the time you have to devote to the decorations and cleaning.
Assuming food will be served, plan how the
food and beverages will be served. Would
a buffet work best? There will need to
be some table decorations. How are you
going to present plates and utensils?
How will each dish be presented on the buffet table? If you are planning a sit down dinner, the
table setting and decorations need to be planned. Consider the table cover and settings. How will the meal be served, family style,
plated, etc.? Dishes for the place
setting and serving dishes need to be planned for each part of the meal.
The room needs to be warm and inviting. I like to start the house cleaning early with
the heavier cleaning like scrubbing floors and cleaning the chandelier over the
dining table. Then give everything the
once-over before the guests arrive. I
like to air out house thoroughly while cleaning. Candles can add warmth. Stay away from heavily perfumed candles and
cleaners. Scents can clash with the
aroma of the foods and some people are sensitive to perfume. I prefer to have fresh, clean air at a
comfortable temperature.
Just as you give thought to the
table, also give thought to the rest of the room. Maybe fresh flowers on the coffee table would
be better than on the dining table. Are
you going to put out snacks or appetizers?
Decide where and how these will be presented.
The colors or theme need some thought and
planning. If you are celebrating a
special occasion like a holiday, birthday or graduation, decorations are
easy. If you are having an informal
dinner for a few friends, a simple color theme may do. I recommend that two or no more than three
colors be used for your color scheme.
The decorations should not distract from the reason for the
occasion. Too any different colors can be busy and
counter act a calm, relaxed atmosphere.
Seasonal decorations can also be used. In the fall, scatter some colored leaves over
the table can be very festive. Candles
may be more appropriate for cooler seasons.
If you are having an informal dinner, consider using the season in your
decorating. Fresh spring or summer
flowers, frosty winter decorations, or fall colors add to the atmosphere of
your occasion.
Overall, the decorations give your occasion a
festive air. It is a detail that says a
lot about you and how you feel about your guests. It is an important part of hospitality and
should not be overlooked.
This Week’s Challenge – Plan
a table setting for a sit down dinner for eight.
Choose your occasion and how the
meal will be served. Think about how you
usually entertain and plan for a table sitting you usually would not do. If you usually entertain informally, choose a
formal table sitting for a several courses.
You may usually entertain outside, choose something more formal. If you usually entertain formally, choose
something informal, like a brunch served outside. You may have to search online for placement
of the silverware. You may have to plan
a meal, so you will know what will be need on the table. Finally think of the decorations,
centerpiece, colors, theme, etc.
Tip for This Week - Timetable
My favorite part is the planning,
followed by the cooking. I am not much
of a house keeper, so the heavy cleaning usually only is done when I have
guests over.
One
week ahead, I get the planning finished and start the heavy cleaning. This includes the outside. In California we
entertain outside most of the year.
Three
days before, complete shopping and extras for the occasion.
Two
days before, start the cooking ahead like making a cheesecake or
refrigerator bread dough. Scrub down the
kitchen and bathrooms.
Day
before, do the last minute shopping for fresh ingredients. Finish the light cleaning (the once-over) and
prepare the table and serving dishes.
Day
of the event, finish cooking setting the table. I usually plan one more trip to the market
for something you forgot.
Given this is my ideal timetable and
I usually do this, but you will not always be able to plan and execute your
entertaining on a smooth timetable. Life
happens. Just remember everything that
needs to get done, manages to get done.
When I was younger, I used to stress over all the details, don’t allow
herself to go there. You want to enjoy
your guests, and stress takes away from that.
This Week in Punkin’s
Kitchen
Pizza Dough
This is a bread like pizza
dough. The thinner the dough is rolled
out, the crispier it will be. This will
make one thick crust 14” pizza or two thin crust 10” pizzas.
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| The ingredients |
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| Dissolve the yeast in the warm water. Make sure you have the correct temperature. I used a digital thermometer |
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| Add the sugar to the yeast solution. |
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| Add the salt. |
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| Add the oil and stir. |
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| Add the flout and beat vigorously to blend the dough. |
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| Allow the dough to rest at least five minutes. I like to let it rise at least 20-30 minutes. |
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| Punch down the dough and shape. |
