Sometimes I receive things in the mail that are a surprise. This little package was one of those days.

A Pyrex Easy Grab casserole dish was at my front door. Of course I must invite it in…don’t want to be rude, after all…

Oh, it’s a dandy,too. With swell handles that allow for, well, an easy grip! And it’s clear, so I can see how my browning or melty cheesy mac & cheese is coming along. I love it!

My new house guest.

And not only that, but it is easy to carry to a pot luck, your friend’s house or even grandma’s cottage (call your grandmother. or bake her some brownies!)

Dishwasher, oven and microwave safe makes it all the nicer. And the glass is guaranteed to last for two years.

And it’s affordable, too! Only $9.99.

I plan on taking this beauty everywhere with me.

xoxo, Patti

Today blogging to Blondie – Heart of Glass

With the weather finally feeling like Spring (3 more days!) and the evenings a bit warmer, all I can think about is Easter. Easter grass is all planted in containers and ready to sprout, John is off to Garden Ridge to find delights for our Easter Sunday table and I’m thinking take away gifts. And what screams Easter more than candy? I’m thinking of putting together a candy buffet with a boodle of colorful baskets lined with Easter grass so my guests can make their own selections. No matter how old you get, you can always appreciate a pretty Easter basket, yes?

Today, our candy expert is Jackie Sorkin, who has created gigantic candy buffets for companies across the nation. Jackie gives some great tips for staging your own sweet treats at home:

JACKIE SORKIN’S TIPS FOR CREATING A CANDY BUFFET

Lilly Pulitzer and I Would Love This.

· Pick a theme or color scheme that will serve as direction when picking out props, candy colors and treats.

· Locate a space that is visible to your guests, which will allow your candy buffet to be a beautiful decorative addition to your event (i.e. a foyer, existing bar or on a patio).

· Select interesting vessels and containers for your candy. They don’t have to be the same; mix them up but make sure they all flow together. Vintage shops & thrift stores are great for finding interesting pieces.

· Select your candy by color, and you may want to include some custom treats that are made in your color scheme or theme from a local bakery.

· Don’t forget scoops & tongs ~ always keep it clean.

· Provide your guests with goody bags or boxes to grab some treats as a to-go favor (note: I am providing Easter baskets for my guests, but wouldn’t Chinese Food To-Go Boxes be darling?)

Isn't this gorgeous?

Sweets for your Sweetie!

Now if that doesn’t inspire you, I don’t know what will. Go on, dream of Easter and make it happen.

xoxo, Patti

Today blogging to Cameo – Candy

My mind is on sweets lately. Next week I am hosting a very special “Gays and Girls Dessert Dance Party” in my home and I have got to come up with some treats that will impress my stylish friends.

And then I found this. Oh.My.Goodness. It is a sampler basket from Jacques Torres, the renowned god of all things fabulously chocolate. Listen to what you get in the very stylish hat box – a 12-pc boxed assortment of bonbons, Classic hot chocolate, cheerios, cornflakes, milk chocolate covered pretzels, approx 5oz. dark bark, 60% bar, Wicked bar, Brulee bar, and a Milk Almond bar. Chocolate cornflakes? Yes, please!

For your glamorous chocolate cravings

I believe I will be inspired and whip up some chocolate covered potato chips for the party, along with confetti cupcakes, blondies, brownies, lemon bars and a colorful candy bar. The decor will be the burlap material I have been hanging on to, waiting for the perfect occasion, which will be offset by pink tulle. It will be so cute!

But you could always just get in touch with Jacques and he will send one of those amazing baskets over. At $85 a pop, I know it’s pricey, but maybe for someone very special (you?) for Christmas?

You deserve it!

xoxo, Patti

Today blogging to The Archies – Sugar Sugar

This week’s fun find is Mary Esther’s Baby Cakes. I met Jessica, the owner, this past Sunday at Tami’s Sip and See. Jessica gifted each guest with one perfect Red Velvet cupcake. Mmmmmm, yummy!

Everyone loves red velvet cupcakes

And let me tell you, they were luscious!

Jessica is so special that she doesn’t have website, so I am letting you in on the secret – because I love you so.

Prices start at $15 for one dozen minis and you will not believe the variety! OMG, listen to a few of the types of cupcakes Jessica is baking up for you:

• Apple Chai
• Apple Pie
• Bailey’s Irish Cream
• Caramel Pretzel
• Chai
• Cheese Cake
• Choc. Covered Strawberry
• Chocolate Truffle
• Coconut
• Crème Brulee
• Cookies & Crème
• Cookies & Crème Cheese CupCakes
• Drumstick
• Kahlua
• Lemon Drop
• Lemon Meringue
• Margarita
• Mochaccino
• Molten Chocolate
• Nuvo Red Velvet
• Pecan FrenchToast
• Pina Colada
• Pink Champagne
• Pink Lemonade
• Tiramisu
• White Chocolate Mousse

Oh, wait – don’t see one you love? Jessica will custom bake your favorite. How fab is that? AND she provides FREE delivery in the metro Atlanta area. Ohhhh whee!

You can find Jessica and all the news on her Baby Cakes here on Facebook.

Um….did I just read Caramel Pretzel? Oh, yeah, I’ll take a dozen!

xoxo, Patti

Today blogging to Three of a Kind – Baby Cakes

Happy Monday, Darlings!  As promised, each week before Thanksgiving we will broach another topic. Today, we are discussing whether you actually need to cook. Do you really want to weigh yourself down cooking a zillion sides and pies that will just stress you out before you even get to the table?  Are you doing it because mama and granny did?  Come on – you are much too sophisticated for that type of thinking. It’s 2009, for goodness sakes.  You can turn on your laptop and order the entire meal online while sipping your latte at Starbucks.  Even Miss Hospitalityaholic is not cooking everything after assembling this list. The pies will be ordered and I will pickup the bread from one of the many fabulous outlets seen here. Sure, I will bake and mash the sweet potatoes (probably the day before), throw together a salad and make my mom’s special sausage and raisin stuffing. But the boys are frying a turkey outside (ohhhh, fire!) So don’t fret, my sweeties – here are some places in Atlanta to order and pickup and also, for my out of town friends, some sites from which to order the whole enchilada. Or turkey. I don’t judge.

Alon’s, Offering orders a la carte from several menus, you can chose from appetizers, sides, meats and relish, artisan breads and desserts, all individually priced. Last day for orders will be Mon., Nov. 23 and pick-up by 4 pm Wed., Nov. 25. 1394 North Highland Ave. 404-872-6000. www.alons.geomerx.com.

Murphy’s, Offering to-go meals for 4 at $125 and for 8 at $250. The menu includes roasted boneless turkey breasts, herbed cornbread, cranberry orange relish and each meal comes with a pie. Orders must be placed by Fri., Nov. 20 and picked up Wed., Nov. 25 between 11 am-6 pm. 404-872-0904. 997 Virginia Ave. www.murphysvh.com.

Muss & Turner’s, Offering a prepared package of sides and desserts that serve four at $99.93. Includes roasted vegetables, Ritz cracker dressing, green bean bake, sweet potato mash, gravy, lingonberry sauce, wheat rolls and choice of pumpkin or pecan pie. Orders will be taken until Nov 21 and pick-up is 11 am-6:30 pm Wed., Nov. 25. 1675-309 Cumberland Pkwy SE. 770- 434-1114. www.mussandturners.com.

PARISH: Food and Goods, An a la carte menu, that will include an all natural creole fried turkey with creamy horseradish sauce for $112, Broccoli & Cheese Casserole for $9/quart and Maple Creamed Sweet Potatoes with PARISH Granola: $8.50/quart. Orders need to be placed by Nov.13 and picked up Nov. 25. 404-681-4434. 240 N. Highland Ave. www.parishatl.com.

Rolling Bones Premium Pit BBQ, This menu twist on the traditional Turkey includes a whole turkey and cranberry relish for $60, or bone-in turkey breast with cranberry relish for $45, beef brisket with a side of horseradish for $70, whole duck with fig relish for $35 and sides by the quart for $8. 404-222-2324. 377 Edgewood Ave. www.rollingbonesbbq.com.

South City Kitchen-Midtown, In addition to offering a dine-in option, they will offer take-out for parties of 8 or more at $22.50 per person. Orders will be taken until Fri., Nov. 20 and pick-up is on Wed., Nov. 25. 404-873-7358. 1144 Crescent Ave. southcitykitchen.com/midtown.

The Shed at Glenwood, You can have a fully prepared meal for $150 for six to eight people. This includes a roasted turkey, a number of sides and an apple pie. Orders must be placed by Sun., Nov. 22 and picked up Wed., Nov 25, 5-7 p.m. 475 Bill Kennedy Way. 404-835-4363. www.theshedatglenwood.com.

Or…if you are just really overwhelmed and want all the Thanksgiving goodies sent right to your door, here are a few suggestions.

Gourmet Grocery Online, These folks will send you a Turducken next day Fed Ex. This Cajun Stuff specialty starts with a semi-boneless turkey. This is stuffed with a boneless duck, dressing, then a boneless chicken and finally more delicious dressing. The final product will weight 15-16 lbs and will feed about 20 people. At $119.99, this will set you at about $6.00 per person, not including sides. gourmetgroceryonline.com

Schaul’s, There is nothing quite like a fresh turkey from Schaul’s. Schaul’s Turkeys are plump, juicy and fork tender. Carefully fed and raised, assuring a delicate buttery flavor that is unmatched in other brands. Fresh turkeys are available only during the week of Thanksgiving. Helpful cooking instructions are included with your order. Starting at $40.60 for a 12-14 lb bird to feed your friends and family. www.schauls.com

The Fresh Lobster Company, No one ever said you have to eat turkey. How about some fresh lobster or some other type of seafood? This is making me rethink that big bird. Right now they are running a special for “free overnight shipping” if you order 10 or more Maine products. Hmmm….after careful consideration and Maine’s recent overturning of same-sex marriages, I can’t in good conscience recommend anything from Maine. So lets not call these guys, mmmmkay?

Gourmet Station, Are there just the two of you this year? Playing hooky from the in-laws while watching the Macy’s parade? Good plan!  Gourmet Station will deliver your entire meal for $99.99. There you go – have another glass of wine and enjoy the game! www.gourmetstation.com

Greenberg’s Turkey, If it’s good enough for Oprah, it’s good enough for me. Everyone is raving about Greenberg’s. It’s a smoked turkey, so if that is not your thing, you might want to reconsider. But their prices are terrific, starting at $27 for a 6 lb bird that should feed 12-18 people all the way up to a 15 lb turkey that will feed 30 – 45 people for $64.35. Add around $10 for shipping, and I consider that a deal. Pop over to the grocery store, buy some Stouffer’s sides and you are good to go. www.gobblegobble.com

iGourmet, Heritage Turkeys are never frozen, includes neck and giblets, and comes with a traceability certificate that states the turkey farm where your turkey is from. The bird’s genetics can be traced back to the 1800′s, ensuring a true “heritage” bird. Starting at 8 lb, going all the way up to a huge 22 lb, this should provide all your turkey needs. www.igourmet.com

Just make sure you have plenty of lovely sandwich bread, mayo and chips for turkey sandwiches the next day. You are going to be tired after all that shopping on Friday.

Some things never change.

xoxo, Patti

Next Monday – The perfect table setting.

]]> http://anatomyofadinnerparty.com/2009/11/09/thanksgiving-to-go/feed/ 7