Outdoor Easy Living

June is a month of change.  The weather moves from uncertain to warm, the children shift from classroom to backyard, and our wardrobes settle into shorts and sundresses.  With celebrations including graduations, Father's Day and early summer BBQ's, planning a simple gathering of friends, family and neighbors can seem like just another chore to fit into our busy schedules.

But summer entertaining doesn't have to be complicated, and often times spontaneity brings the most enjoyable memories.  here are a few easy tricks to make your summer soirees simple, elegant, and unforgettable.

1.       How many guests and will ther be children?  This will dictate the mood of the party.  I love an evening of 6-10 adults around my backyard table and if young children are included, I spread a picnic blanket on the lawn for them to sit and play and make noise a bit off from where the adults are sitting.
2.       Plan a table setting based on a color or favorite flower.  If your peonies have popped, go for pinks and greens.  If bright yellow sunflowers dominate, mix them with blues or the even more dramatic black and white.  The decide on using paper products or the increasingly popular melamine dinnerware.
3.       Determine a menu.  Sometimes less is more here. I think its easier to serve one big peice of meat rather than a lot of hamburgers or chicken breasts, which also require more tending to on the grill.  Fortunately my husband's mother shared her marinade for London Broil with me many years ago, and this is often my starting point for a meal.  This recipe is simple and the results are delicious.  Combine 3/4 cup of canola oil, 1/4 cup of soy sauce, 1/4 cup of honey, 2 T vinegar, 2T minced onion flakes, 1 large garlic clove minced and 1 1/2 t ground ginger in a plastic zip lock bag.  Add the meat and marinate for several hours or overnite.  Grill and enjoy!!  One or two big side dishes can finish the meal.  Let guests bring the appetizers, salad or dessert.  if you are called upon to contribute to someones else's party, consider bringing your dish on a cute enamel platter or dish to then leave with the hostess as her gift!  What a treat for her, and so much more memorable than a bottle of wine.

The atmosphere for your events has just as much to do with decoration as with people and food.  The Depot offers a wide range of summer entertaining products.  Your party plan can begin with a paper plate and napkin pattern that you love.  Mix in colored candles to help set the mood, protected by glass hurricanes and all available at The Depot.  New La Cadeaux melamine dinnerware and serving peices are perfect for outdoor parties.  They look like stoneware, are dishwasher safe , and come in a variety of colors and patterns.  This is a great investment for future entertaining!  Enamelware from Golden Rabbit or MacKenzie-Childs continues to impress.  From freezer to oven to table, these striking yet functional pieces elevate any food presentation.

Change is good.  Slow down and enjoy family and friends and entertain in style.  And remember to visit The Depot Gift Shop for all your party planning or hostess gift giving needs!

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