Good Morning Darlings!
Do you feel the cool in the air? Just a subtle change right now that will segue into full fledged autumn weather.
The change of season invariably has me thinking of new ways to entertain. Autumn is the gateway to all those fabulous holiday parties that keep everyone busy. And with so many parties to choose from, make sure yours is the one they are still talking about next year.
James Bond always appeals. Women love him and men want to be him. How about a casino party? Eric and I are both fans of online casinos when we can’t get to Vegas, so why not bring the party home?
Always think Sean Connery - no other Bond will do.
Let’s set the tone for your guests. When you send out the invitations, include a secret password for attendees to utter when they arrive at your speakeasy. Encourage everyone to dress for an evening in Monaco. Everything is better in formal togs. Greet each guest (or have someone play an imposing bouncer for the night) with either a glass of bubbly or a martini – shaken, not stirred, of course.
Monaco's Grand Casino - at your house!
There are companies that provide casino set-ups, but that might be a bit extreme for a home party. I’m thinking it would be really cool to position iPads on a few tables and play a virtual blackjack or poker game. It’s James Bond for the new millennium.
All that gaming is bound to make folks hungry. Sophisticated bites are required for this party. Tiny, purple baked potatoes halved, scooped out, mixed with cream & butter, re-baked and topped with a dollop of sour cream and caviar fits the bill and stretches your caviar dollar (I always pick up the grocery store roe). Canapes dressed with lox is another crowd pleaser that looks pretty, too. As the night progresses and the guests are there well past midnight, a breakfast buffet is easy and recharges everyone’s batteries for another hand or two. I suggest a chafing dish of scrambled eggs, bacon (you can fry it early in the day and re-heat in the oven), mini pastries, bagels & cream cheese, coffee, mimosas and bloody marys complete the buffet. I don’t know what it is about making breakfast in the middle of the night for your friends, but it makes all your guests feel extra pampered.
A midnight breakfast buffet will keep guests going.
And as always, make sure your friends who are imbibing have a designated driver or taxi at the curb. Never let your friends drink and drive. After all, if you don’t take care of your friends, who are you going to invite to the next party?
xoxo, Patti
Today blogging to Shirley Bassey – Goldfinger