Anatomy of a Dinner Party: a day in the life of a hospitalityaholic
 

Thanksgiving

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Simple Table Settings

Friday, November 4th, 2011

Good Morning Darlings!

Ready for Thanksgiving? On a budget? Me, too.

How to make it special inside…

Let’s Dtox Before The Feasting!

Thursday, November 3rd, 2011

Good Morning Darlings!

You know I am gearing up for Thanksgiving. I can’t wait for all the good things to eat and drink. Eric, John & I always go all out and the table is groaning with the weight of the amazing dishes loaded with delicious treats.

After dinner, the table is not the only thing groaning.

How about you?

Soft Pumpkin Rolls

Wednesday, October 26th, 2011

Good Morning Darlings!

I have been surfing the web, searching for the best recipes for Thanksgiving dinner.

What did I find?

Cooler Corn

Tuesday, October 25th, 2011

Good Morning Darlings!

My favorite penpal, Miss Sylvia, emailed this to me recently. I think it is positively brilliant, since I tend to cook for the Brady Bunch instead of just Eric & me.

Expecting a crowd? Love to camp?

Fall Happenings at The Ritz-Carlton

Sunday, October 16th, 2011

Good Morning Darlings!

Break out the sweaters and let’s sit by the fireplace. When I think cozy luxury, you know I am talking about The Ritz-Carlton.

They have so many fun treats in store for you!

Thanksgiving 2010

Tuesday, November 30th, 2010

Good Morning Darlings!

We are finally recovered from Thanksgiving (I think). It was a wonderful time with fabulous friends and I bet you want to hear all about it. Lets do it!

Just between you and me, I had no intention of hosting Thanksgiving Dinner, but when bestie Diane said she was coming home, I knew that called for something special. We bought the turkey, planned a few dishes, invited a few friends, bought a case of bubbly. Then our incredible friends from Black Tie Barbecue told me they were holding a smoked turkey with my name on it, I decided to go ahead and roast the turkey we had at home and freeze the meat for the Christmas party nibble ingredients.

Do you remember the photo of those smoking turkeys? Unbelievable.


More thankful fun inside!

Happy Thanksgiving Darlings!

Thursday, November 25th, 2010

Good Morning Darlings!

I hope you all are up and watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, like I am. One day I will get there in person, all bundled up in NYC.  But not this year. This year we are hosting 6 friends for dinner and several more after dinner for drinks and dessert.

And I am feeling particularly lazy, so I am digging up a rerun from last year’s turkey day festivities here.

As for what I am grateful for this year, it is much the same as last year. The love of my amazing husband and number one best friend, Eric, our good health and that of our dogs and never last, our beloved friends that make every day a holiday. I love you.

And Glee! I am thankful for Glee. Could there be a more perfect television show? I think not.

You know I am grateful for you, too, yes? Because I am. You all are the greatest and make me want to blog every single day. Thanks so much for reading and commenting. Next week, I have a very special giveaway to show my appreciation.

xoxo, Patti

Today blogging to The Warblers from Glee -Teenage Dream

Time to Wine

Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010

Good Morning Darlings!

I trust by now you have the turkey thawing (or have made arrangements – perhaps with Black Tie Barbecue for one of their mouthwatering smoked turkeys? Call 404.840.9256 to see if they have just one more they can put aside for you. This is what I am doing this year…shhhh, it’s just between us.)

They are not fooling around here, y’all!
I have more fun inside!

How Chefs Cope With Turkey Day

Sunday, November 21st, 2010

Good Morning Darlings!

The Buckhead Life folks are responsible for some of our city’s most famed restaurants. Their Head Chefs give us a little advice for dealing with the year’s most fretted-over dinner. Don’t fret, Darlings. Grab a beverage and see what our chef buddies have to say.

Daryl Gassmann – Chops Lobster Bar
“The best advice I could give to anyone about cooking Thanksgiving dinner is to ask for help! Don’t try to be Martha Stewart unless going all out is what you’ve been waiting for all year. Most guests love to bring a pie or a side dish. They enjoy it and Thanksgiving is one of those dinners that feels more special when everyone chips in.”

Charles Schwab – Buckhead Diner
“My best tip for Thanksgiving is to brine your turkey in a salt water solution (1 cup of Kosher salt to 1 gallon of water) for 1 hour per pound of turkey two days before cooking. Pull your turkey out of the brine the night before cooking and place it on an oven rack over a baking sheet. Place the unwrapped bird in the fridge and allow it to air dry. On the day of your meal, rub your turkey with butter, sage, and lemon and roast until it reaches 155 degrees internal temperature. No more dry bird.”

Doug Turbush – Bluepointe
“Get creative with your aromatics. Stuff the bird with a split head of garlic, thyme, parsley stems, onion, celery, carrot, ancho chilies & orange zest. This will not only flavor the bird, but give your gravy a little zing too. And, I couldn’t do without the perfect wine to accompany me as I work and the bird when I’m done.”

Piero Premoli – Pricci
“My favorite ingredient for the Thanksgiving Dinner is pumpkin and my favorite kitchen tool is my roasting pan. When pumpkin meets a roasting pan, with the help of fresh chili, aged pecorino cheese and olive oil, it’s magic! You won’t believe how good a vegetable can taste.”

See? Easy! I will be back with all sorts of tips through the week. I wouldn’t dream of letting you go it alone!

xoxo, Patti

Today blogging to Dido – Thank You

Friendsgiving 2010

Tuesday, November 16th, 2010

Good Morning Darlings!

I love the holidays. I love get togethers. And food. So get togethers revolving around food, friends and the holidays are the greatest.

Our besties, Crystal and Teague, throw a big Friendsgiving party every year. It is for friends and friends that are basically family. This year about 40 friends (some old, some new), got together for the annual pot luck. Crystal and Teague provide all the meats and this year that meant pork shoulder and two turkeys! Everyone else brings the sides and desserts and a beverage. It is the best fun and a sure sign that the holidays are under way.

Enjoying the crisp, autumn weather.

Enjoy the bounty inside!