A few years back there was a showing in Victoria highlighting Leonardo da Vinci just after Christmas. We asked a couple of friends if they wanted to join us. Well, we were off.
The day before we were leaving it was announced that the lunchroom staff on the ferry were on strike. Did that deter four determined friends? Not at all.
This is what we did.
I got up really early and made fresh cranberry scones and blueberry lemon muffins (The B & B Cookbook). We packed a picnic basket with tablecloth, napkins, butter, knives, candles (I did so), plates and, of course, a deck of cards. We were bridge fanatics.
While we were enjoying our scrumptuous breakfast, people were giving us and our precious cargo a second look. We played bridge until we arrived in Victoria.
That is not all. After the museum visit and dinner, we opened up the picnic basket again and, lo and behold, we unload cheese, pate, nuts and candies to help us through a vigorous night of bridge. Our friends could not believe their eyes. This, by the way, started a trend that lasted about 15 years of travels together.
It was a lot of fun. Try it yourselves.
Best Entertainment Tip
I wish I could take credit for this one and having had it in use for about fifteen years, my daughter thought I should share it with you. This is not my idea but one that Martha Stewart had in a magazine so long ago.
Get a recipe box and fill it with recipe cards. Now, when you are having a dinner, take a card and write the names of your guests, the date of the dinner, the occasion (if there is one) and the menu. Along with this write out the name of the book or magazine where you found it, page number so if you need to find it a day or two before the upcoming dinner, it will all be at your fingertips.
By the way, make this card out when you plan to have a dinner….a week, 2 weeks or a month in advance. This is good planning and you will be prepared in getting the groceries required, wine to buy, mixings for the signature drink and, most important point of all, you won’t be serving your guests the same food the next time they come over.
Really, try it and it will become second nature for you. P.S. I also use this when family come over (not Christmas as that one is laid in stone) but other times, epecially if it is a special occasion. Remember to treat your family and friends the same way you treat company.
Tip: If you don’t it becomes “oh, it is JUST so-and-so’ coming over. The special treatment is lost in that one statement.