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Welcome To Le Chateau

When we have friends over for dinner and are serving wine, I set this oil painted canvas outside my front door. I believe it creates the first step in setting the mood that "Fun is going to take place here!". I want my guests to feel like they are entering a place that is equal to or surpasses any fine restaurant they have visited. Rather than the ordinary "Welcome" signs, I'm convinced this is a more delightful way to create the mood you want to be enjoyed. I believe I purchased it for about $20 at WALMART! Many of my guests comment on how special it is. Do you have a painting of some kind that you have just been storing that you could hang outside your door? Remember to bring it in after the party!

Italian Cream Cake

I can still remember a dinner I attended at my friend Dory's house years ago. She served 24 of us delicious spaghetti, a perfect salad with Italian dressing, and served us this delightful Italian Cream Cake accompanied by authentic Spumoni ice cream. It was not only beautiful, but it was so tasty that I remember it to this day!

Don't think you can get away with baking only two layers instead of three. You will have to bake the cakes longer and they will overcook on the tops, bottoms and sides.

Dory’s Italian Cream Cake

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.


Cream together:
1 stick butter
1/2 cup Crisco
2 cups sugar

Add 5 egg yolks


Sift together
:

2 cups flour

1 tsp soda
Add flour mix alternately to cream mix with

1 cup buttermilk

1 tsp vanilla
Fold in 1 cup angel flake coconut and
5 beaten egg whites.

Pour into three well-greased and floured (9") cake pans

Bake at 350 for 25-30 min.

Icing for cake:

Add together and mix well:

1 stick margarine
1 large stick of cream cheese (Don't use low fat)
I did for the one above. It tasted good, but you could see the separation in the layers.
1 box powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla

Grind up 1 cup nuts (pecans) and sprinkle on top of cake.

Serve with Italian Spumoni ice cream.

Beach Basket Flower Arrangement

This weeks floral arrangement was so beautiful. We featured Gerber Daisies, Dahlias, bright yellow lilies, purple liatris and green Bells of Ireland. The lilies have opened up and are glorious! Tonight we are creating an arrangement with lights and dragonflies. Can't wait! Next week class attendees will be making a 4th of July floral arrangement. There is room for you if you wish to attend. See info on Blog Post: Chabby Chic Flower Arrangement for details.

How To Make A Fancy Burlap Tablecloth

A few things to know before you purchase your burlap:
1. Buy at least 12 inches more than you think you will need!
2. Burlap comes in different colors. Choose the one that best suits your goals.
3. Burlap is itchy and make a bit of a mess.

Lay your burlap fabric out on a table and look at it closely. You want to pull a thread that insures you will have at least an inch of fringe after you have pulled the thread out to where you want your table cloth to start. In the photo below, it looks like it is much longer than an inch because it is. At one end, it is shorter than the other so this is demonstrating how far you may have to go to find that point.

When you have the spot chosen that works for you, pull one of the threads all the way out.
Now you have a marker of where you will want your table cloth to end,
but be sure to leave at least one inch of fringe that you will trim.

The salvage sides of the burlap are finished off. Cut the edge off as shown.
See how crooked the edges are before you pull the strings?
This is why you have to buy more than you think you will need.
Now, start pulling all of the threads at the bottom out, about two or three at a time. SAVE the threads as neatly as possible. You will be able to use them later.
Keep pulling until you have pulled all of the threads to the original line.
Trim to the length you desire the fringe to be.
Repeat this process on the sides and opposite end of the tablecloth.
Cut the edge off of the other salvage side.
Notice how the fringe is about one inch all the way around your piece.
You can use the cut salvage edge pieces and strings to tie around package.
Save the strings to tie around napkins or packages.
When you are finished, your tablecloth should look similar to this. To make it extra fancy, count inward from the edges about 10 strings worth and pull two strings, next to each other, out on all four sides. You will have a design all around the tablecloth. I preferred this look.
The burlap table cloth is a perfect fabric as an under-cloth for a floral and leafy themed fabric used with Pottery Barn's bird dishes, nests, eggs and whatever else you come up with to decorate your table. Don't be surprised if you see the birds stopping buy for a view of your delightful table!

Room With A Delightful View



When my son, Chris, moved out a couple of years ago, I had this mural painted in what is now the guest room. I wanted this painting to resemble a French tapestry. I love it! You really feel like you are peering through a window and can even see it in the dark. An antique French bed, armoire and desk team up to make this a room Marie Antoinette would feel comfortable in. Simply delightful!

Parties...Who, What, When, Where, Why & How?



























Parties are such great fun, full of festivity, and they affect every one of our five senses. I LOVE parties! Have you noticed that not too many people have parties or special events in their homes anymore? Many people have chosen other venues for parties these days. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. These are some important questions and considerations a hostess must ponder before a celebration.
  • How much will it cost? Will the cost be shared?
  • Will it be a pot-luck or will we prepare everything ourselves?
  • How much work is involved?
    • Vacuuming, dusting, general cleaning, window cleaning, grocery shopping, chopping, baking, cooking, refrigerating, invitations, music, scents or no-scents, candles, lighting, flowers, decorations, party favors, washing or polishing rarely used serving items, yard work, etc.
  • How many people will attend?
  • How long will the event last?
  • Will it be catered, or will we do the serving ourselves?
  • If served, what happens if someone drinks too much alcohol?
  • What if someone ruins a carpet, piece of furniture, or treasured antique?
  • What if the guests way overstay their allotted time frame for the party?
  • How comfortable am I with people moving about in my kitchen when I am performing last minute preparations?
  • How much time am I willing to invest in planning, preparing my home, orchestrating special touches, and final clean-up?
  • Will there be children attending that I will need to keep entertained?
  • Will this be a complimentary mix of people?
  • What do I need to plan so that everyone will feel important and have a delightful time?

As you can see, so many components are a part of planning a party of any kind. I say it is worth the time, effort and risks! I have so many happy memories of time spent with family and friends in my home.

Something worth knowing: When hosts have singled you out to be a specially invited guest at an event, no matter what it is, it means they may have left others off of their list because they really want YOU to be there. So your invitation is special!

In order to plan well, hostesses need to know if you will be attending as soon as possible. This not only builds excitement into the anticipation of the event for them, but it also insures excellent planning on their part and that there will be enough food, beverages, favors, tables, chairs, linens and dinnerware for each person.

See Blog Post: The Ten Commandments of Being a Delightful Party "Guest" listing ten ways to insure guests and hosts both have a great time. While you can’t include these in your invitations, you can refer to them for when you or a family member is invited to a special event. These are common sense, but sometimes people need to be reminded of proper manners, which are always treating other people as you would want to be treated.

HowTo Be A Delightful Party "Guest"




1. Thou shalt RSVP ASAP! (Respond please, as soon as possible).


The hosts have graciously given you the special consideration of an invitation; it is imperative and courteous to give them the reciprocal consideration of responding promptly, affirmatively OR negatively. Your hostess needs to know in order to plan and the general rule is, “If you do not respond, you are not included in the count”. It’s not polite to show up if you have not responded.
2. Thou shalt keep your word, even if it HURTS!


Don’t wait for, or, accept a better offer if one emerges; or even worse, simply not show up when you have responded that you will attend an event. Hosts have spent money to include you and may not have invited others due to space limits. Your host is truly disappointed if you can’t make it.
3. Thou shalt not inquire from others if they have been invited prior to an event or asseverate being invited after the event.


In the event that they were not invited, you have spared hurting anyone’s feelings.
4. Thou shalt inform your host as soon as possible If it is “absolutely unavoidable” that you cannot attend after giving a positive response to your hosts invitation.


Inform your host as soon as possible with a personal call. This is the kind thing to do. Your host will appreciate this and may still be able to invite other guests to take your place.
5. Thou shalt arrive as close to the starting time as possible.


Fashionably late is not considerate of your hosts planning and serving. It is a real challenge to time everything right to serve multiple dishes to many people and serve the hot dishes hot and the cold dishes cold. Having to wait for someone while trying to orchestrate a well-thought-out plan causes frustration, disappointment, disarray and over-cooked food.
6. Thou shalt not DISPLAY or USE your cell phone during the event unless you are a professional who is on-call during the event.


Almost nothing is more annoying or rude to your hostess or other party guests. “Love the one(s) your with”. By spending time conversing, checking email or texting while you are at a party, you are basically saying with your actions you’d rather be with someone else, or be somewhere else. Not nice! In fact, it is really rude. This goes for restaurant meetings too!
7. Thou shalt be a fun guest!


You have been invited because your company is enjoyed, this is one time to ask yourself, “What can “I” contribute to making this party a success?”

Every hostess loves people who:


  • Have appropriate senses of humor, either creating it or enjoying it. Crudeness is not appreciated, appropriate, or welcome.


  • People who engage with other people, who ask friendly questions, share, but not dominate the discussions.


  • People who are good sports when games are played, questions are asked of them, or help is needed.


  • Participating in the menu is a nice gesture, but be sure your hostess would welcome such a gesture. Sometimes they prefer to have complete control over what is served. Sometimes, your help is really welcome.


  • Stay long enough to demonstrate they had a great time, but not so long as to overstay their welcome. Subtle signals are usually given when a host is ready to end the event.


  • Do not drink too much alcohol. No one thinks this behavior is funny. It places your hosts and the other guests in an uncomfortable position. The event should not be about you--excellently or disappointingly, unless the party has been given in your honor.


  • Do not bring up, describe, or elaborate in great detail about health issues. This is a time to have fun! Leave yours and other people's problems at home for a few hours.


  • Offer to help clean up and do dishes. Many hosts would never allow it. It depends on the event. If you can see that there is a massive amount of cleaning ahead, offer to help if you are able. Your host can always say, “No, thank you”. If that is the response, honor that, as that is how they really feel.


  • If you have a special talent or gift, you might offer your service to your host. Singing, playing an instrument, making special beverages, preparing a special dish, planning activities for the children, bar-tending, or assisting with the serving of food items, etc. Don’t continually ask if you can do something for the host. Once you have asked, they will know that you are someone they can ask, and they will if your assistance is needed.


  • Be cordial to everyone, and try to have a conversation with each guest at the party, unless this is an extraordinarily large event.


  • Be sure to take with you any items you arrived with. It is considerate to do this so that your host doesn’t have to track you down to give you your dish, coat, or whatever items you left behind.


  • If you must leave earlier than the allotted parting time, search out your host and thank them and compliment something that made the event special to you. It is best to inform your host before you arrive that you need to depart early. This way, it isn't a surprise and they don't think you weren't having fun.

8. Thou shalt not complain about any aspect of the party or argue with spouse or another guest.

This makes everyone feel uncomfortable and puts a big damper on the evening! Agree to disagree agreeably.
9. Thou shalt express thanks when leaving “and” send a “Thank You” note within days of the party.


Express your appreciation for being invited, what specific fun you had or thing that impressed you and another thing that will make your host remember the event positively. If something went wrong, encourage them for the next time. Guess who will be invited back in the future!
10. Thou shalt reciprocate.


It is kind to invite people into your home whom have invited you into theirs. It makes people feel like you value their friendship and enjoy their company. “Relationships are like a tennis game. It’s a back and forth process. Don’t let the ball stay in your court. Return it with gusto!”

Follow these simple guidelines and you will always be considered a delightful party guest.

© Debbie Bolduc, MakeItDelightful.com 2011

Guest Etiquette Party Etiquette

Chabby Chic Flower Arrangement


Beautiful Red Peony



Amazing Pink Peony



Stunning in my kitchen


Right after I made it!

My floral decorating classes are getting better and better! On Tuesday, we created Chabby Chic arrangements with Peonies (AWESOME!), Arabicas (flower that looks like the antenna), Queen Anne's Lace, Maple leaves and one other flower I can't remember the name of. :- /

At any rate, I obtained permission from my instructor that I could invite friends! This week we will be doing a Summer Beach Ball arrangement. I'm not sure if it is too late to attend this one or not as Pam has to purchase the materials ahead of time, but here is Pam's email address if you wish to inquire:minniesmama06@aol.com. The classes are $25 weekly, which includes a unique container and the flowers! The class starts at 6:30 pm sharp, and it is held at 300 N. Rampart St, Orange, just off Chapman across the freeway from UCI Med Center. It is in the community center of a mobile home park. The room is huge, lots of room to move about and talk! Hope to see some of you there!

Do It Anyway

The "High"way or the "Fair"way?

I am ashamed to say that when a friend was telling me a story of how she had been wronged, I immediately took her side, empathized, and advised her to take action toward the one who had wronged her, which would have been fair. She explained to me how she felt. Even if she has been and continues to be wronged, she feels she has been called to remain a positive influence in the life of the one who has wronged her, no matter what. I await to see the final outcome of her stand.

In the meantime, I want to share some words I recall saving in my archives that came to my mind after our conversation. Words that I should reflect on more often. I am now so "conscious" that I need to think long and hard before opining, and consult the Lord in prayer before I spew life-altering advice. After I knew the "beauty" in her heart, God confirmed in so many ways that she was right. The Lord's way is usually not the easy way. I suggested she should deal with this person "fairly" and move on--take the easy way. She continues to endure pain from this one. But we both came to the conclusion that "Love never fails", and it is worth the cost. I don't imagine I would be so happy if God dealt with me "fairly" every time I messed up! He has so much mercy, and so does my friend.

The words below came to my mind that I had heard at a business meeting many years ago about how virtuous living is accomplished in this world by "maintaining" a difficult position and "being" a positive role model. I desire to be a positive role model in the lives of my family and friends and this inspires me. I hope it will inspire you as well.

The following words appear to be based on a composition originally penned by Dr. Kent M. Keith, but much of the second half has been re-written in a more spiritual way. Both versions are shown below.

This version was said to be found posted on the wall in Mother Teresa's home for children in Calcutta:


People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.

Forgive them anyway

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.

Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.

Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.

Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.

Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.

Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten.

Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.

Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God.

It was never between you and them anyway.

____________________________

The Original Version:

The Paradoxical Commandments


People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.

The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.

People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.

People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
Help people anyway.

Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.

© 1968, 2001 Kent M. Keith

I think if I and others could better LIVE these words, not only my world, but also the world of others would be so much more delightful.


Fourth of July Fun

I love America and I love decorating for and celebrating the Fourth of July with friends each year. It really launches summer for me. For this table, a table topper square was constructed from a sparkling fireworks fabric to highlight a Fourth of July theme.
Easy-To-Make Fourth of July Cherry Pie: Fill a prepared pie shell with Comstock Cherry Pie Filling. With a second pie shell, cut out star shapes in varying sizes. Place them all over the top leaving room for the red cherries to show. Sprinkle the stars with red colored sugar and bake the pie according to directions. A decorative fireworks pick was inserted to add the finishing touch.
A luncheon table was set for family members utilizing royal blue bandanas purchased at Michael's for under $2.00 each. Melamine star plates were purchased from Target. American flags can be purchased at any party supply store or Michael's. The rattan stars and Margarita glasses used for ice cream and cooked peaches were purchased from Pier 1. Patriotic napkins can be purchased at your grocery store, party store, or department stores like Target. Colored votives were purchased at Michael's. Azalea plant was purchased very inexpensively.


Decorative glass vases are very popular now and these added the perfect touch I wanted for drama. American flags and fireworks sprays were added to show some pizazz.
Vanilla ice cream and baked peaches topped with cinnamon were served in Margarita glasses and adorned with an American flag pick.

For this party, along with the dessert, barbecue ribs were served with Best Foods Mayonnaise's recipe of Classic Potato Salad. My mom's barbecue baked beans, (yum!), baked corn on the cob, (so great because it doesn't get soggy!) Bake in a casserole dish for 30 minutes at 325 degrees. Add whatever spices you like. Everyone always comments about how good it tastes this way. Additionally, watermelon slices were served with blueberries and ice. A simple three ingredient Cole slaw was served. Purchase two bags of green and purple cabbage mixed with shredded carrots; add a mixture of 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/2 cup sugar. Chill and serve. Sooooooo good!

Here's my mom's recipe for barbecue beans:

Jeannette's Baked Beans

Place 2 large cans of B & M Baked beans in a bowl.
Add 1/2 chopped onion
1 Teaspoon Mustard
3 Tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
1 1/2 Cups Hot & Spicy Ketchup
2 to 3 handfuls of brown sugar.

Place the mixed ingredients in a buttered 13 X 9 inch casserole dish and cover with foil.
Bake at 275 degrees for 45 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 45 minutes.

I'd love to hear your comments on how you celebrate the Fourth of July.