Since I’ve shared with you about my Harry and David luck and Charlie and His Chocolate Factory, it’s now time to learn what Harry and David is known world-wide for: Royal Riviera Pears. The Harry and David orchards are filled with over 700,000 fruit trees which yield 17,000 tons of fruit per year. They have… Continue reading Harry and David Orchard Tour
Category: entertaining
Simple and tasteful entertaining that’s sustainable and lovely.
Frugal and Stylish Wine Glass Charms
I admit that sometimes I buy things at estate sales and I have no idea what I’ll do with them. Last spring, I found these little metal circles on a ring. They are heavy and came connected to a circular holder, with a small opening at one end. These were really interesting and I knew… Continue reading Frugal and Stylish Wine Glass Charms
Charlie and His Chocolate Factory
Well, I suppose it’s not really Charlie’s Chocolate Factory but it seems right to call it that. On the first day of our Harry and David tour, we got a behind the scenes look at their chocolate factory. And, who else should be in charge of the “Chocolate Factory” but someone whose name is Charlie,… Continue reading Charlie and His Chocolate Factory
Harry and David Serendipity
You won’t believe how lucky I am. Here’s how the luck started a couple of weeks ago… Lucky that Sandy Coughlin, who I had only met virtually through our blogs and our mutual friend, Carrie Minns, e-mailed me late in the afternoon to see if I could be on a plane the next morning to… Continue reading Harry and David Serendipity
Dinner Group Does Bon Appetit
Whenever our dinner group hosts pick the theme for the evening’s meal, I look forward to what will be prepared in my kitchen as well as the host’s kitchen. Since our dinner group is pot-luck style, the host chooses the meal, prepares the entrée, and the other members bring appetizers, salad, and dessert. At our… Continue reading Dinner Group Does Bon Appetit
Game Night
Frugal families just want to have fun. Honestly, we don’t set out thinking, “How can we do this for little money or no cost?” That requires too much thinking and is just not fun or how we approach life. We do think, “How can we have fun and laugh with the people we love and… Continue reading Game Night
BlogHer in The Backyard
Sometimes indulging takes the form of making time to make new friends. At the BlogHer 2011 Conference in San Diego, CA, I had the opportunity to meet Elisa Camahort-Page, who along with three other women, started BlogHer, a community and media company created in partnership with women in social media. When Elisa mentioned she’d be… Continue reading BlogHer in The Backyard
Dinner Group Appetizers: Mock Oysters
The recipe we tried for dinner group gathering was delicious and one that I would definitely make again. My tip? Don’t put this together in advance. Prepare the shrimp mixture and cook the shrimp chips but don’t assemble the “mock oysters” until right before serving. This will prevent them from getting soggy. We have an… Continue reading Dinner Group Appetizers: Mock Oysters
Dinner Group Gathering
Our dinner group met for a lovely summer evening recently. The menu theme was Thai inspired food and was delicious. Along with the fun of regular socializing with a group of good friends, the pleasure of trying new recipes can’t be beat. Our dinner group gatherings have forced me to try new recipes and dishes that… Continue reading Dinner Group Gathering
Goodwill Finds For Backyard Decorating
Look at how pretty this is. My friend, Maria, sent me these photos. The charger plates, vases, and table runners all came from, “The Bins” and were purchased second-hand. This is a great example of decorating with used items to create a beautiful lifestyle. You don’t have to spend lots of money on decorating and… Continue reading Goodwill Finds For Backyard Decorating
Go Gingham 