Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Guys Night IN

• Keep it simple but not boring—there’s nothing wrong with serving burgers and dogs so long as you offer up plenty of fun, colorful fixings. A nice spread of fresh-cut toppings and gourmet sauces can class up any offering, from chili and Buffalo wings to nachos and cheesesteaks. • Personalize it—if your man is into sports, think about using foam fingers as lap trays or turning his old trophies into beer buckets. If he’s into cars, maybe use old oilcans as utensil holders and set out a roll of shop towels for napkins. Clean ones, of course. • Think beyond the BBQ—sure everybody loves a good backyard barbecue, but when the big game is on, or the weather takes a turn for the worse, the garage or the game room can make a great makeshift venue. • Finger food—think about serving kabobs, sliders or anything else that can be eaten with one hand (because the other will be busy holding a beverage!) • Can the can—set a stack of chalkboard beer glasses and a white marker next to the drink cooler so they guys can pour their beers into a personalized cup. Or order some custom beer cozies online and pass them out to each guest. CHERYL’S TAKE “When hosting an all-guy gathering, I like to serve everything in cast iron dishes, so I can set them out early and then slip away for a little gal time, knowing that the food will stay warmer longer.”


Keep it simple but not boring

There’s nothing wrong with serving burgers and dogs so long as you offer up plenty of fun, colorful fixings. A nice spread of fresh-cut toppings and gourmet sauces can class up any offering, from chili and Buffalo wings to nachos and cheesesteaks.

Personalize it

If your man is into sports, think about using foam fingers as lap trays or turning his old trophies into beer buckets. If he’s into cars, maybe use old oil cans as utensil holders and set out a roll of shop towels for napkins. Clean ones, of course.

Think beyond the BBQ

Sure everybody loves a good backyard barbecue, but when the big game is on, or the weather takes a turn for the worse, the garage or the game room can make a great makeshift venue.

Finger food

Think about serving kabobs, sliders or anything else that can be eaten with one hand (because the other will be busy holding a beverage)!

Can the can

Set a stack of chalkboard beer glasses and a white marker next to the drink cooler so the guys can pour their beers into a personalized cup. Or order some custom beer cozies online and pass them out to each guest.
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DIY Mix Don't Match Your Table Settings For Party




Thanksgiving Table Settings Hero


Thanksgiving Table Settings 1


Thanksgiving Table Settings 2


Thanksgiving Table Settings 3

Thanksgiving Table Settings 4

Thanksgiving Table Settings Cheryl Says

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Monkey Party Ideas

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• Start by wrapping your table with a grass table skirt (available at craft stores), or substitute with your greenest, most tropical-looking tablecloth. • Consider using a chocolate brown table runner or a large coconut leaf as your base. • Create a centerpiece using tropical fruit (bananas, papayas, kiwis, coconuts), banana leaves, palm fronds or other oversized leaves and vines, and even add a stuffed animal monkey to the mix. • Set the table using large banana leaf or rattan placemats. • Write each guest's name on a single banana using a brown marker and set at the top of each placemat for unique and playful place cards. • Use bamboo servingware and coconut cups. CHERYL'S TAKE
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Outdoor Party Ideas

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CHERYL SAYS
• It's important to put bowls of ice under serving pieces to keep food cool. Replace ice as needed. • Cover food with mesh domes (you can repurpose colanders or strainers). • No one likes watered-down drinks. Try making ice cubes from the drinks you're serving, such as orange juice, iced tea, or even coffee! • Place tabletop candles in glass hurricanes to block the wind. • Use tiki torches to illuminate the entire dining area, as well as any pathways.

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DIY Children's Baking Themed Party Ideas

• It’s a wrap—line your counters and floors with plastic wrap, parchment or wax paper to make cleanup a breeze. • You are here—prepare a chef’s station for each guest featuring an apron or chef’s hat and a sturdy stepstool so they can easily reach any ingredients and cooking implements. • A measure of preparation—set out pre-measured ingredients as well as any mixing bowls or cooking tools at each station. • No sharp edges—look for recipes that don’t require any slicing and dicing with sharp knives, or simply pre-slice your ingredients before the little ones arrive. • Take five—schedule a break or two (maybe while the frosting is setting or the cupcakes are baking) featuring a fun activity, or just time for the kids to run outside and play. Remember, you want cooking to be festive and fun, not an ordeal. • Double the fun—make sure you cook enough food so that the kids can eat some right away, as well as take some home to show off to their families. • Go with the flow—expect that something will go wrong and be ready to roll with it. Don’t let a little spilled milk or burned toast take away from the fun times. • Have a back-up plan—pre-make a secret stash of the food you’re cooking and store it in the fridge, either to serve as a model for the kids, or to handout in case the kids’ batches are inedible. CHERYL SAYS “Make sure your little guests bring a back-up outfit or set out a few old T-shirts in case of a kitchen catastrophe.”


kids’ baking themed party ideas

1. it’s a wrap

Line your counters and floors with plastic wrap, parchment or wax paper to make cleanup a breeze.

2. you are here

Prepare a chef’s station for each guest featuring an apron or chef’s hat and a sturdy stepstool so they can easily reach any ingredients and cooking implements.

3. a measure of preparation

Set out pre-measured ingredients as well as any mixing bowls or cooking tools at each station.

4. no sharp edges

Look for recipes that don’t require any slicing and dicing with sharp knives, or simply pre-slice your ingredients before the little ones arrive.

5. take five

Schedule a break or two (maybe while the frosting is setting or the cupcakes are baking) featuring a fun activity, or just time for the kids to run outside and play. Remember, you want cooking to be festive and fun, not an ordeal.

6. double the fun

Make sure you cook enough food so that the kids can eat some right away, as well as take some home to show off to their families.

7. go with the flow

Expect that something will go wrong and be ready to roll with it. Don’t let a little spilt milk or burnt toast take away from the fun times.

8. have a back-up plan

Pre-make a secret stash of the food you’re cooking and store it in the fridge, either to serve as a model for the kids, or to handout in case the kids’ batches are inedible.

Make sure your little guests bring a back-up outfit or set out a few old T-shirts in case of a kitchen catastrophe.
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Onesie Baby Shower Cake Recipe

onesie-baby-shower-cake-recipe-cherylstyle

onesie baby shower cake recipe

what you’ll need

makes approximately 12 mini cakes
  • 2 packages white cake mix (plus ingredients needed for mix)
  • 1 pound powdered sugar
  • 1/3 cup butter, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup milk
  • Onesie cookie cutter
  • frosting (homemade or purchased) for crumb coating
  • Odense Marcipan
  • blue food coloring
  • decorating tools
  • powdered sugar
    onesie-baby-shower-cake-cherylstyle

let’s do it

  • mix cake following box instructions
  • bake in two 12″ square cake pans; let cakes cool completely
  • cut out onesie shapes with cookie cutter and place in refrigerator for 10 minutes
  • make frosting by beating powdered sugar, butter, vanilla extract and milk until completely smooth, scraping down sides of bowl often (you can purchase icing to save time)
  • ice cake with “crumb coat” by applying thin layer of frosting evenly over cakes
  • place in freezer for 15-30 minutes; add second layer of frosting and harden cakes in refrigerator for 10 minutes
  • color Odense Marcipan with food coloring, adding in small increments until desired color is achieved
  • roll out about 1 cup of marzipan to ¼” thick on counter lightly dusted with powdered sugar
  • drape over cake and trim around edges with pizza cutter; repeat with each cake
  • detail cakes with fondant utensils
  • use small end of piping bag tip to make rings for buttons
    onesie-boy-baby-shower-cake-cherylstyle
    onesie-baby-shower-cake-cherylsays
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DIY Gifts For Grandma At Baby Shower

baby-shower-gift-for-grandma-cherylstyle

DIY baby shower gift for grandma

what you’ll need

  • wooden picture frame
  • Mod Podge
  • selection of colorful paper strips
  • decorative accessories eg. twine, buttons, clothespins, lettering, custom message or photo etc.
  • hot glue gun and sticks or crafting glue
  • photograph or message

let’s do it

  • take glass and backing out of frame
  • apply layer of Mod Podge to frame then apply paper strips
  • allow to dry
  • apply final layer of Mod Podge to seal paper to frame
  • let dry completely
  • glue any decorative touches such as ribbons, clothespins or rope
  • let dry
  • insert picture or personal message
    baby-shower-gift-for-grandma-cherylsays
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