Platinum Celebrations
Jeanne Benedict: Partini
Sonoma's Small Town Charm
By Jeanne Benedict on July 8th, 2008
The town of Sonoma is absolutely charming with an historic plaza bordered by shops and a great little wine tasting stop.
Travel through Northern California's Wine Country in Napa and Sonoma County and you'll experience rolling hills of grapevines and grand estates with welcoming wine tasting rooms.
Walk through the town of Sonoma and you'll enjoy the warmth and hospitality of a small town in perfect harmony with the cultural offerings of a winemakers' and wine lovers' community.
After spending the weekend in Sonoma, here are a couple of gems that I have to recommend:
Charles Creek Vineyard Tasting Room and Gallery
Check out the Charles Creek Vineyard and Tasting Room in Sonoma
The general store appeal of the Charles Creek Vineyard Tasting Room and Gallery is as quaint and as it is naturally elegant.
Located on First Street along the Sonoma town plaza, tastings of their award-winning wine are poured throughout the day.
Wines of note are the La Sorpressa Chardonnay 2004 (3 Gold Medals, including Best of Class, New World International Wine Competition) and the La Sonrisa Del Tecolote 2001 (4 Gold Medals, plus 94 Points - Wine Enthusiast).
El Dorado Kitchen
Truffle French Fries. Need I say more? Located right up the street from Charles Creek is the El Dorado Kitchen. You can choose from a variety of creative menu items like Beef Tartare Sliders with Truffle Fries, Feast of Olives, Painted Hills Ribeye and Herb Basted Halibut.
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4th of July Centerpieces
By Jeanne Benedict on June 23rd, 2008
Your party table will sizzle with these 4th of July centerpiece ideas.
Red, White and Blue Candle Torches in Sand
Star Torches in Red, White and Blue
Simply fill a red, white or blue metal pail with sand and insert the wooden stick on the candle torch.
The wooden stick is 32 inches long, so you will need to trim the stick to where the candle is about 4 inches higher than the top rim of the pail.
A candle that is too tall may topple over.
White Floating Flower in a Stars and Stripes Tray
Stars and Stripes Chip and Dip Tray
This festive chip and dip bowl is absolutely perfect for a holiday centerpiece.
Add water to the dip bowl in the center of the platter and float a big white spider mum.
The stars and stripes design will highlight the flower beautifully.
Patriotic Balloon Weight for a High-Flying Centerpiece
Patriotic Balloon Weight Box
Give your helium balloon centerpiece a patriotic touch by weighting them down with this stars and stripes box.
Toss patriotic confetti on the table to give it some sparkle.
More 4th of July Ideas:
Our 4th of July page
celebrates our nation's independence with these party ideas:
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Indiana Jones Party Ideas
By Jeanne Benedict on June 20th, 2008
Aliens! Skulls! Snakes! What more could a kid want for his or her birthday party?
Indy is back in action with the summer blockbuster Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.
Plan your child's birthday party with these exciting ideas based on the movie:
Aliens!
- Make a green alien in a gelatin mold.
- Go for an alien vibe with green glow products.
- Give sticky aliens in eggs and aliens in test tubes as party favors.
Skulls!
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Give guests skull glow beads to wear when they arrive.
- Scatter skulls around the party.
- Light up a dark room with a skull black light bulb.
- Bake a skull-shaped cake.
Snakes!
- Toss some realistic-looking wooden snakes on the party table.
- Coil fake pythons and set them in corners.
- Hunt for mini snakes in the yard.
Indiana Jones in Action!
Bring the party to life by setting up a backyard movie theater and screening your favorite Indiana Jones movie.
All you need are some Indiana Jones party supplies and you've got the makings of an awesome birthday party!
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Quail Eggs Benedict Blini
By Jeanne Benedict on June 16th, 2008
I decided to get fussy for Father's Day and make my husband Quail Eggs Benedict Blini. Here's the recipe along with a photo of his breakfast spread.
Quail Eggs Benedict Blini and Blini with Red & Black Caviar on Gravlax
Quail Eggs Benedict Blini
Blini Pancakes
Hollandaise Sauce
Canadian Bacon
Quail Eggs
Prepare ingredients for blinis according to recipes and instructions below.
To assemble each blini: place Canadian bacon on a blini pankcake. Set a poached quail egg on the bacon and drizzle Hollandaise Sauce over the top.
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Sour Cream Blini Pancakes
1/2 cup flour
1 teaspoon sugar
pinch of salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 large egg plus 1 large egg yolk
1/4 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons buttermilk
Combine dry ingredients in a medium bowl. In another small bowl, whisk egg and yolk with sour cream and buttermilk until blended. Add egg mixture to dry indredients and whisk until just combined. The batter should be a little lumpy. Allow batter to rest for a couple of minutes so the baking soda can activate and bubble a bit.
Lightly oil a nonstick skillet and heat over medium heat. Drop batter by the tablespoon into the pan and cook for about 1 - 2 minutes until lightly browned on the bottom. Flip with a spatula and cook until other side is lightly browned.
Remove pancakes from skillet and arrange on a plate or platter. Lightly oil skillet to cook each batch of pancakes.
Top pancakes with Eggs Benedict ingredients or a dab of sour cream and caviar.
Makes about 24 half-dollar size pancakes
Hollandaise Sauce
Recipe Courtesy of Emeril Lagasse & Food Network
2 egg yolks
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
Dash of hot pepper sauce
2 teaspoons water
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 stick melted butter
In a stainless steel bowl set over a pot of simmering water, whisk the egg yolks with the lemon juice, hot pepper sauce, and water, until pale yellow in color. Season with salt and pepper. Be careful not to let the bowl touch the water. Remove the bowl from the pot and whisking vigorously, add the butter, 1 teaspoon at a time, until all is incorporated.
Makes about 3/4 cup
Poached Quail Eggs
Fill a medium saucepan halfway with water and bring to a boil.
Gently tap the narrow part of the quail egg on the side of a bowl. Use your fingers to break off the top or narrow part of the shell, taking care not to rupture the yolk inside.
Pour egg into pot of boiling water. Poach for 1 - 2 minutes until yolk is warmed and egg white is cooked around yolk. Remove egg with a slotted spoon and set on top of Canadian Bacon for Eggs Benedict.
Notes: Many poaching techniques instruct the cook to swirl the eggs while in the boiling water. I skipped this step as I didn't want the yolks to break and I wanted the whites to cook just around the yolk, resulting in a beautiful shape for this delicate dish.
I poached 4 quail eggs at a time and removed the excess cooked egg white from the water after each batch.
Canadian Bacon
Cut Canadian Bacon into 1/4-inch thick slices. Heat bacon in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until both sides are lightly browned.
Remove from heat and cut into a size proportionate to your blini. I cut 3-inch round slices into quarters, making small triangle shapes.
Summer Party Invitations from Tiny Prints
By Jeanne Benedict on June 13th, 2008
Summer is the perfect time to get together with friends for a barbeque, baby shower, or party for pets and the people who love them! Invite guests with these cool invitations from Tiny Prints.
BBQ Get Together
You gotta' love the retro grill on this invitation.
With its red and white color scheme, this BBQ invitation from Tiny Prints will work for all the patriotic parties that pop up during the summer season from the 4th of July to Labor Day.
And, its simple style is ideal for inviting guests to most any get together around the grill.
Baby Shower
For those who want to stay away from the pink and blue at a baby shower, this is the invitation for you!
I love the contemporary feel of this invitation with its mint-colored spheres on a lilac background and the beautiful silhouette of a mom-to-be in brown.
Pet Party
Whether your pooch is celebrating his or her birthday or you want to gather the doggies and peeps for a picnic, send an official invitation!
Imagine your friends opening up the envelope to find that it's an invitation to a pet party?
You and your four-legged pal will be the most popular couple at the dog park by inviting guests to a party in style!
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Go Gourmet for Father's Day
By Jeanne Benedict on June 10th, 2008
Surprise Dad a couple of days before Father's Day with these gourmet mail-order gifts that he can enjoy all weekend.
John "Deere Ole Dad" Food Toolbox
John Deer Ole Dad Gourmet Gift from 1(800)Flowers
Along with the sausage, Dad will feast on smoked and sharp cheeses, pretzels, garlic-stuffed olives, honey-glazed peanuts, smoked almonds, salt water taffy, and gourmet mustards.
You've probably seen the name "John Deere" on the side of farm equipment or tractors. Dad will love the twist of this classic American manufacturer spun into a gourmet.
Mrs. Beasley's Father's Day Cupcakes
Father's Day Cupcakes from Mrs. Beasley
In Hollywood, Mrs. Beasley is a well-known name as it seems her muffin baskets are the customary gift sent the morning after a deal is closed.
According to their website, these Father's Day cupcakes have been enjoyed by celebrity dads like Kobe Bryant, Orlando Bloom, and David Beckham.
Let Dad know that he's a star in your eyes by sending him this sweet treat.
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Liquid Fusion: Hot Party Trend
By Jeanne Benedict on June 6th, 2008
What is Liquid Fusion?
a) Cocktail
b) Tabletop
c) Dance Floor
Answer: All of the Above!
Holo-Walls, an event materials manufacturer and party rental vendor, has designed a line of products that have a Liquid Fusion effect.
Liquid Fusion Dance Floors
Liquid Fusion Dance Floor from Holo-Walls
The Liquid Fusion Dance Floors are floor tiles that come with or without a metal frame, and consist of two sheets of a durable transparent material with a multi-tone liquid sandwiched in between...that's how I see it.
Here's the official description from their website:
"Modular liquid-encased floor tiles - walking on them creates play and movement of light stimulating sensations of nature and atmosphere. The mono-chromatic tiles leave a diminishing ray of color tones, the memory trace of a footprint behind."
The tiles are put together to form a dance floor and are available in many colors.
Liquid Fusion Tabletops from Holo-Walls
Psycho-cool stuff!
Liquid Fusion Tabletops
Holo-Walls also rents Liquid Fusion Tabletops. Set a cocktail glass on the table and leave a temporary impression of the glass. I imagine you could glide your finger across the table's surface and create swirls of color or designs.
Holo-Walls Event Environment
Holographic Environment
Holo-Walls is known for creating event environments where holographic patterns are produced on film sheets and installed as walls, floors, curtains, and more.
The overall effect is like being in a kaleidoscope.
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Graduation Cake & Candy Ideas
By Jeanne Benedict on June 2nd, 2008
Give your graduate a sweet ending to a day of pomp and circumstance with these thematic cake and candy ideas.
Honor Roll Scroll Cake from Wilton
Traditional Grad Cakes
Since graduation is a milestone occasion, many choose a cake with a traditional theme such as the cap and gown.
Wilton's online baking community offers a variety of grad cakes that stay true to tradition, but have unique designs.
Visit their graduation cake recipe box for instructions if you plan on baking your cake or inspiration if you'll be purchasing a cake.
A Strong Signal Candy Plaque from Wilton
A Strong Signal Candy Plaque from Wilton
Commencement Candy
Add an element of fun to your graduation party with candy molded into trendy shapes.
Candy cell phones, as shown in the photo, are perfect for teens who love to text.
You'll find the melting chocolate, molds, and instructions to make the candy cell phones from Wilton baking and candy supply.
They also have cool grad lollipop and pretzel molds.
Graduation Cupcakes
Check out my blog on Graduation Cupcakes to find a fun bobble-grad cupcake topper and more ideas.
For cool party finds read my Grad Party blog or visit our Graduation Party page.
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Cool Pool Party Finds
By Jeanne Benedict on May 30th, 2008
Make a splash at your pool party with these cool finds.
Ahh-Qua Floating Pool Bar at Toysplash
Ahh-Qua Floating Pool Bar
Take a dip, have a sip!
There's something about these floating bars that make me want to put a pool in my backyard.
The Ahh-Qua Floating Pool Bar has cup holders a plenty, an cooler pocket in the middle, and seating for 4.
Pool Party Floating Radio
Here's the scenario: the kids are running around with their own music blasting, and you want to nurse a Margarita with a little Jimmy Buffet or AM/FM magic from the 70's in the background playing on your own personal floating radio.
Floating Light Garden at Target
Floating Light Garden
Live and in color these floating flowers have LED lights inside that create 4 different lighting effects, including changing hues.
The flowers are 3.5 inches in diameter, which makes them the perfect little accent for an evening affair by the pool.
Also at Target, check out the Aqua Glow Underwater Light Show. A bit more "disco" than the flowers, this floating dome light casts a dramatic light show of patterns and colors on the sides and bottom of the pool.
More Summer Party Ideas:
Summer Parties
Barbeque and Outdoor
Entertaining
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Summer's Here! Got Gear?
By Jeanne Benedict on May 27th, 2008
O.K., summer is almost here. But, for those of us who are waiting on a final report card, and will keep our red, white, and blue Memorial Day decor up until July 4th, summer has kicked in!
In aniticpation of summer parties or just hanging out with friends, I started browsing for new outdoor entertaining gear. Here's what I found:
Ikea Sommar Paper Tablecloths
IKEA
You can usually count on IKEA for a cocktail napkin, throw pillow, or offbeat accessory that will spark conversation at a get-together.
I really like their Sommar paper tablecloths with coordinating cocktail napkins and plates. Some have a retro design and others are very trendy. Mix and match styles that have complementary colors for a cool look and easy clean-up.
Sur La Table
Mario Batali Granite Piastra at Sur La Table
Check this out for your summer grilling. Master chef Mario Batali has put his name on this awesome outdoor grill surface called a granite piastra. Basically, this is a piece of granite that fits on top of your barbeque, so you can grill flatbreads, fish, seafood, and more alla piastra—the traditional Italian method of cooking on a flat griddle stone over a hot fire. I love this product - it's sure to be a big hit at my Italian Al Freso Dinner Party this summer!
Visit Our Summer Party Pages For Ideas & Inspiration!
Barbeque & Outdoor Entertaining
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