Mormon Life - Entertaining tag

{Lifestyle} I Heart Valentine's Day Party

Fri, 11 Feb 2011 12:01:00 -0700

by Ashley Evanson
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: This Valentine's Day dessert table is perfect for FHE.

Why is it that LDS women are so amazing at throwing parties? Maybe it’s the years of planning family get togethers and Enrichment night? Regardless of how we perfected these “party skills,” hosting is undeniably in our blood.

Photo from Hostess with the Mostess.

Photo from Hostess with the Mostess.
Speaking of parties, is this not THE cutest Valentine’s Day theme party from the Hostess with the Mostess blog? I want to copy and paste myself into these pictures. From the sugar-sprinkled cupcakes to the red- and white-striped straws, this party is probably the most adorable thing I have ever seen. Hosting a get together like this is just what I need to forget my winter blues.

Also, a scaled-down version of this party would make a great dessert table for FHE (Valentine’s Day is on a Monday this year). Read the post here to learn how to re-create this Valentine spectacular.

--

Ashley Evanson is the Online Editor at LDS Living. She is a self-proclaimed foodie and loves looking at design blogs, wishing she could be as hip as the people she reads about. Her favorite color is light tan.

Weekend Craft: Autumn Napkin Rings & Place Settings

Sat, 20 Nov 2010 00:05:00 -0700

by Oh My Crafts
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Dress up your Thanksgiving dinner with these three easy place cards and napkin ring. While the turkey is in the oven cooking slowly for that nice golden brown surface, and while the kids are playing in the annual family Thanksgiving Bowl football game, you can make use of this time for yourself. With just a few supplies and these easy instructions, you can dress up your Thanksgiving dinner table setting and give it that special “personalized” feeling for all to enjoy.

So grab your supplies and let’s get started!

Supplies Needed:

Paper trimmer
Scissors
Paper piercer
Jenni Bowlin Brown sugar ink pad
We R Memory Keepers Scrapbook pad – Maple Grove
Brown 1/8” brads
Brown ¼” gros grain ribbon

*To purchase the supplies for this craft go to ohmycrafts.com.

Leaf Tree Place Card:

1. Trim base of place card 3” x 4 ½” from brown leaf tree paper. Fold in half. Ink edges with brown ink. Set aside for assembly.

2. Trim white name plate 2 ½ x 1 ¾”. Ink edges and corners. Set aside for assembly.

3. Trim gold stripe with white dash from strip paper. Trim a 3” inch piece. Ink edges and set aside for assembly.

4. Trim small brown maple leaf from multi leaf page. Ink edges and set aside for assembly.

5. Adhere gold strip to base of card approximately ¾” up from bottom of card. Adhere name plate centered on front side of tree paper. Adhere brown leaf in right bottom corner of name plate.

6. Pierce 2 holes in gold strip next to name plate and attach brown brads.

Stripe Acorn Place Card:

1. Trim base of place card 3” x 4 ½” from muliti stripe paper. Fold in half. Ink edges with brown ink. Set aside for assembly.

2. Trim white name plate 2 ½ x 1 ¾”. Ink edges and corners. Set aside for assembly.

3. Trim orange leaf paper 3 x ¼”, ink edges and set aside for assembly.

4. Trim acorn from multi leaf page, ink edges and set aside for assembly.

5. Center nameplate and adhere to base. Adhere orange leaf strip ¾” up from bottom. Adhere acorn in right bottom corner of name plate.

6. Pierce 2 holes horizontally in orange leaf strip approximately ¼” from left edge and attach brown brads.

Yellow Argyle Place Card:

1. Trim base of place card 3” x 4 ½” from yellow argyle paper. Fold in half. Ink edges with brown ink. Set aside for assembly.

2. Trim white name plate 2 ½ x 1 ¾”. Ink edges and corners. Set aside for assembly.

3. Trim gold stripe with white dash from strip paper. Trim a 3” inch piece. Ink edges and set aside for assembly.

4. Trim narrow brown/cream stripe from strip paper. Trim a 3” inch piece. Ink edges and set aside for assembly.

5. Trim red oak leaf from multi leaf page, ink edges and set aside for assembly.

6. Adhere brown strip vertically ¼” from left edge. Adhere nameplate centered next to the brown strip. Adhere red oak leaf in left corner so that it overhangs edge slighty.

7. Pierce 2 holes right of red leaf and attach brown brads.

Napkin Ring:

1. Cut one strip 2 x 12” of large multi colored flower paper, ink edges.

2. Cut one strip 1 x 12” of orange polka dot paper, ink edges.

3. Cut in half for 2 napkins rings.

4. Form circle the size needed for ring and trim off rest.

5. Wrap brown ribbon around ring and knot.

Optional embellishment:

1. Cut metal leaf from glue foil metal square using Sizzix tattered leaves die. (need a die cutting machine)

2. Turn leaf over and draw veins in with a pencil.

3. Slide under knot and shape to napkin.

Please Be Seated

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:00:00 -0700

by Shari Wells
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: When you have the right tips, entertaining is a rewarding—and affordable—activity. Make this season bright by hosting a classy gathering for your friends and family. People often avoid entertaining because they assume it's too expensive, too time consuming, and possibly outdated. But psychologists tell us that it is important for our mental and emotional health to gather friends at the dinner table and entertain. If you keep entertaining simple and fun, it can become a wonderful family tradition.

Getting Organized for a Party Consider the parties you have attended. What made them successful? Make a list of all your friends and people you would like to get to know. Decide if you would like to give a party with a theme. If there is a fun, imaginative theme, no one will mind if you serve simple rustic stew and salad.

Keep a journal of your parties so you can improve next time. At the end of each of my parties, I make notes as to what I will do differently next time and what was successful this time. Did the guests like the food? What were their comments? I also note the dishes, the flower arrangement, and the linens I used. I take pictures for the journal as well.

Making Purchasing Decisions Borrowing: You may have friends and family who will loan you tables and chairs, dishes, and glassware. Go ahead and borrow the furniture, but don't borrow the dinnerware. You will worry all through the party about possible damage - you won't be relaxed, and it will show.

Tablecloths: When you purchase your first tablecloth, it should be white, at least 40 to 60 percent polyester, and wrinkle resistant. These tablecloths come out of the dryer almost wrinkle free, so you can avoid ironing. If you are tired of using a white cloth and napkins, the least expensive way to get a splash of color is to purchase brightly colored napkins and a few flowers (real or silk) that blend. If you would like a tablecloth in a print or plaid, I suggest looking in drapery and upholstery shops. The fabric should be 54 inches wide, so you won't have to cut and seam the cloth. All you would need to do is hem it for a one-of-a-kind background for your dinner party. And be sure to put a sheet under the table cloth; this will give it a nicer look and feel.

The Centerpiece: If you are using a four-person table, a small vase of flowers is all that is necessary. You could also dress up a salad or arrange a bowl of fruit or vegetables and herbs and make that the centerpiece. Avoid creating an arrangement that will block the view of your guests' faces across the table. Have fun with your centerpiece and don't make it too complicated.

Lighting: Even if you are using bright colors, evening party tables can still appear dull without overhead lighting. If you don't have overhead lighting, use candles or anything that can refract light. Water creates movement, so if you place floating candles in a low container of water, the candlelight will reflect off the water. A mirror in the center of the table with candles on top also works well. The light will hit the glassware and plates and make everything shine.

"Painting" the Table Think of your table as you would a room. Consider the different ways people use space when decorating. Have you seen rooms where the furniture is overwhelming? You might have felt as though you were trapped in a maze. The same thing can happen when you look at a highly decorated tablescape. If there are too many glasses, too many parts to the centerpiece, too many candles, and so forth, it will appear like a maze. After putting together your table, step back and ask yourself, Is there too much? Does everything add to the table, rather than distract from its purpose?

I changed my whole outlook in table design after seeing a traveling Van Gogh exhibit. He kept his lines clean and his message simple. He used primary colors extensively. I now use more primary colors, and I make sure the table has clean lines and isn't cluttered.

"Painting" the Plate You have "painted" the table, and now you need to "paint" the plate. Color is very important. Bright colors, such as red, purple, green, orange, and gold, all look wonderful and create a psychological desire to sit down and eat. These colors happen to be found on many vegetables. You can't do better than to emulate nature.

Before choosing your menu, be warned that some foods, such as mushroom risotto, taste wonderful but look terrible on a plate. Avoid serving things that are beige and gray. In this example, choose butternut squash or asparagus risotto instead. If you are serving a main dish that is predominantly white, such as chicken cassoulet, some fresh parsley or other fresh herb is necessary as garnish. That's all you need, because you will have brightly colored vegetables and salad to serve. Elaborate garnishes add unnecessary expense.

Desserts When serving a main dish that has a white sauce base, it is best not to serve a dessert made with cream or cream cheese. Combining the two would be serving too many dairy products to your guests. Instead, serve fruit-based desserts such as cobbler, pie, or cookies and sorbet.

Remember, it isn't much fun for a guest with allergies or medical conditions to watch the other guests eating dessert that they cannot eat. It's a good idea to have strawberries or other fresh fruit on hand, just in case.

First-time entertainers are often surprised to find that desserts sometimes cost more to make than the main dish. Through my experience, I have found that ice cream desserts, cookies, and pies are the least expensive to make.

After working all week, many may not feel like entertaining. Yes, it's a little extra work, but there are many benefits. You have an outlet for creativity, you will form closer friendships and family relationships, and you'll have an opportunity to make new friends. Remember to cook with your heart and record the memories and the recipes for your loved ones.

---

Adapted from Please Be Seated by Shari Wells. Available at Author House, 888-519-5121.

Family Etiquette Dinner

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 18:00:00 -0600

by LDS Living Staff
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Many people bemoan the state of manners these days, saying that etiquette is a lost art. But it doesn’t have to be! Plan a nice, sit-down dinner for your family and make sure everyone participates in the preparation; include rolls, salad, appetizers, a main course, and dessert. Set the table with nice plates, glasses, and silverware if you have them (food dishes are set to the left of a setting; glasses to the right), and instruct your children in common eating etiquette. Some things may seem basic, but remember: your kids probably don't know them! Some habits include:

Unfold (don't shake) your napkin when you sit down, and use it for wiping your mouth and fingers (licking is only acceptable when you are eating meat off the bone, as in ribs).
Work from the outside in with your silverware; the shorter forks are for salads and appetizers, the longer for the main dish. Utensils shouldn't touch the table after use.
Place butter and a roll on your individual plate. Break off bite-sized pieces of the roll and butter them individually; don't butter the whole roll at one time.
Ask for things to be passed to you if you can't reach; stretching over the table is considered bad etiquette.
If you get a bad bite of something (such as gristle from meat or an undetected garlic clove), put the napkin to your mouth and discreetly spit it into the napkin. Don't forget it's there!
Leaving some food leftover is acceptable, but you shouldn't make your plate look like you licked it clean!
If you have to leave during the meal, place your napkin on your chair to signify you will be returning. When finished with the meal, place the napkin folded on the place setting; put your knife and fork together and set to about 4 o'clock on your plate.

You might think some of these traditions are silly, but at the very least your etiquette night will be a fun, cultural experience your family can enjoy together. Your children can also thank you in the future when they know how to behave in circumstances where etiquette is expected!

TV or Not TV?

Sat, 01 Jun 2002 12:29:00 -0600

source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: I'm going to make a challenge here-are you sure you want to keep reading? Here it comes. Ladies and gentlemen (please imagine a drum roll somewhere in the distance), I challenge you...wait...I challenge thee (it sounds more, you know, like a commandment), I challenge thee to fast from TV for a month! No TV, no movies, no videos! If the television craze continues with the present level of programs, we are destined to have a nation of morons. -Daniel Marsh, President, Boston University

Ooh, isn't that a good quote? " . . . Destined to have a nation of morons." (If we insert one letter into the middle of the word we get, " . . . we are destined to have a nation of Mormons." That would be nice. Oh well.) Daniel Marsh made that comment in 1950, and the "level of programs" has changed dramatically since then. They're much worse than they used to be. There's more trash than ever before, and there's more to come! Have you ever filled a pot with hot water, then tried to drop a frog in it? Or have you ever put a frog in cold water and heated it up? Me neither. Sounds kind of rude. But it makes a great analogy. If you did drop a frog in a pot of hot water, what would happen? He would jump out! What if you put a frog in cool water, and heated it up slowly? The frog wouldn't notice the gradual change, he would get comfortable and, before he knew it, he'd be cooked! Hi, ho, Kermit the soup here.

Like that frog, we are all in "hot water." Television has changed over the years, but the changes have been so gradual that they've gone largely unnoticed. Meanwhile, we're getting cooked. When I was younger, one of my favorite shows was about a small-town sheriff, his deputy, his little boy, and his aunt who made great apple pies. They led a simple life, ate lunch at the diner, sang in the church choir, and went fishing. They also taught a good lesson in every show, while at the same time making us laugh. But times have changed, and television has changed too. It's getting hot in this pot, and people are beginning to notice. It's in all the papers. Let's read all about it, shall we?

Headline: Pediatric group suggests cutting TV viewing in half.

The scoop: Long-term television viewing is one cause of violent or aggressive behavior in children and contributes substantially to childhood obesity, the American Academy of Pediatrics said Monday. (Associated Press story appearing in the Daily Universe, 17 April 1990) < br>Headline: Turn on the TV and bingo: You're brain dead.

The scoop: Wat ching television is like doing nothing at all, only more so. That's essentially the conclusion Memphis psychologists came to after they wired up 31 kids, stuck them in front of a television set, turned on "The Wonder Years" and watched their vital signs plunge. "The metabolic rate during television viewing was even lower than it was during rest," the psychologists reported. (As cited in Deseret N ews, 28 February 1993, A2)

Headline: TV taking its bite out of academics.

The scoop: More than 40 percent of Utah County's school children spend more time watching TV than studying, according to their parents. Many experts sa y this has an adverse effect on the kids' mental ability and performance. (Mich ael Morris, Utah County Journal, 16 February 1993, A1, A3)

Television has become a part of our lives. Chances are, the most worn-out furniture in the house is facing the television. Unfortunately, the TV has replaced the library as the center of learning. We watch it, we plan our evenings around it, and we talk about it at school. How many times a day does someone say, "Hey, did you see ___ ____________ last night?" And we hope we saw _______________ last night, because we want to fit in.The question is this: Is there any nutrition in this mental diet that we call television? And who's in charge of the menu? What's cooking in Hollywood for us to swallow tonight? Suppose you walked into your favorite restaurant and saw the cook putting floor sweepings in your spaghetti. Would you e t it? Yuck! If you did, you'd throw up! What about the stuff you put in your brain? Your brain can't throw up. If you see something gross on TV, it's yours forever. Elder Dallin H. Oaks said:

The body has defenses to rid itself of unwholesome food, but the brain won't vomit back filth. Once recorded it will always remain subject to recall, flashing its perverted images across your mind, and drawing you away from the wholesome things in life. (As cited by N. Eldon T anner, Ensign, January 1974, 8)

Yes indeed, if television is food for our brains, we'd better talk to the cooks, and see what's happening in the kitchen! Newsweek magazine talked to the cooks almost ten years ago, and here's what they found out:

Hollywood really is different from the rest of the country. A survey of 104 top television writers and executives found that their attitudes toward moral and religious questions aren't shared by their audience.
Believe adultery is wrong: Hollywood 49% Everyone else 85%
Have no religiou s affiliation: Hollywood 45% Everyone else 4%
Believe homosexual acts are wro ng: Hollywood 20% Everyone else 76%
Believe in a woman's right to an abortio n: Hollywood 97% Everyone else 59% (Kenneth L. Woodward, "The Elite and How to A void It," Newsweek, 20 July 1992, 55)

The problem with the restaurant of television-or rather, the problem with us-is that we'll eat whatever they give us, whether we ordered it or not. Most of us don't plan what we're going to watch. We just plop down on the couch to "watch TV" and let it feed us whatever's on the menu. The point is, "we are what we eat," and perhaps we ought to pay mo re attention to our spiritual diets. Sometimes we're like the frog that is slow ly being cooked; in the comfort of the warm water, we go a little crazy. We think the thirteenth Article of Faith says, "If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things, unless our favori te show is on." Or we think Moroni said, "Deny yourselves of all ungodliness; an d fast forward the bad parts" (see Moroni 10:32). We must not allow Hollywood to make us hypocrites! We say, "We believe" when we repeat the Articles of Faith. Well, do we? Do we really believe what they say? Moroni gives hard counsel when he says, "deny yourselves of all ungodliness." Is "all" a pretty high percentage? When Hollywood is criticized for its programming, the usual response is, "If you don't like it, turn it off." Hmmm, that's a new thought: Turn it off. What would happen to your life if you did? Here's another headline:

Headline: Turning off the tube may be 1st step toward turning on life

The scoop: People sometimes ask why I, a professor of communication, do not have a television in my home. Television presents a dilemma: Many of us find that it does not represent a productive or enriching use of time, but we nevertheless find it attractive as a source of entertainment and information. . . . Television seeks audiences for only one reason-to sell those audiences to advertisers. When I watch television, I am investing uncompensated time as a "commercials viewer" and my time is being sold to an advertiser by a network. No, thanks. I've got better things to do. . . . Television robs relationships of time. Relationships among friends and family members take time to develop-quantity time. . . . Television steals the time it takes to build and enjoy relationships, which are to my mind a lot more satisfying than sitcoms. (James A. Herrick, Deseret News Opinion/Editorial page, 16 March 1994)

I agree; we've got better things to do. We have our own goals and dreams to pursue! What do you think, my friend? Do you think you could turn the TV off for a week? Two weeks? A month? TV or not TV; that is the challenge. We could look at more headlines, but maybe we ought to bag all that and prove to ourselves what effect TV has on us. When Moroni wrote his last words in the Book of Mormon, he didn't try to prove it was true. He simply said, in effect, "read it for yourself, and ask God." Maybe that's the best way to come to a conclusion on this media-influence issue.

Would you like to try a little experiment? Do you have the courage? I'm going to make a challenge here-are you sure you want to keep reading? Here it comes. Ladies and gentlemen (please imagine a drum roll somewhere in the distance), I challenge you . . . wait . . . I challenge thee (it sounds more, you know, like a commandment), I challenge thee to fast from TV for a month! No TV, no movies, no videos! (Okay, end the drum roll and imagine a cymbal crash.)

Well, what do you think? Are you saying, "You've got to be kidding"? If so, I'll answer you. No, I'm not kidding. I did it myself-I fasted from TV for a whole month. It wasn't that bad. In fact, it was great. I had no idea it would affect me the way it did. If you feel you can't do it, I'll understand. I won't judge you unrighteously or anything. I'll still think you're great. Just write your pathetic, miserable excuse in the space below, you big party pooper.

Lame excuse ____________________________________________

One excuse you can't use is, "I don't have time," because television takes time. As for those of you who didn't write an excuse, who have decided to accept the challenge, may I offer you literary high-fives? And may I take a moment to express a few thoughts? I think you're wonderful, heroic, courageous, stupendous, marvelous, intelligent, terrific, outrageous, sensational, superb, splendid, fabulous, remarkable, fantastic, phenomenal, incredible, amazing, magnificent, miraculous, glorious, and nifty.

I'd like to make a few predictions. I did this little experiment myself a few years ago in February (okay, I picked the shortest month, but it's still a month), and I think I know what will happen to you.

Day One. You won't know what to do with yourself. You'll think, "Is Nintendo allowed?" (It isn't.) You'll say, "Mom, there's nothing to do," and she'll give you a list, starting with "Clean up your room." You'll never complain to her again.

Day Four. You'll begin to notice how much time you have, and it will be exciting. You'll compile a list of things to do during your TV fast: books to read, places to go, projects to complete, and so on.

Day Ten. You'll notice you're having a much easier time controlling your thoughts. You'll realize that the main place where "the truth and values we embrace are mocked on every hand" is on television. You won't be hearing the crass jokes and witnessing the illicit situations on prime time. You'll remember a scripture you once read: "For our words will condemn us, yea, all our works will condemn us; we shall not be found spotless; and our thoughts will also condemn us; and in this awful state we shall not dare to look up to our God" (Alma 12:14).

Day Fourteen. You'll find it's hard not to judge other TV watchers around you. It will seem like that's all everyone else ever does. You'll say to yourself, "Everyone seems so lazy all of a sudden-did I used to waste time like that?"

Day Sixteen. You'll find it much easier to concentrate when you read your scriptures or pray. You'll notice you don't have to take a minute and clean out your brain before such activities.

Day Twenty. You'll say, "Why didn't I try this before?" You'll be getting your homework done, you'll read good books, you'll exercise, you'll even have a cleaner room! (Mom will love that.)

Day Thirty. You'll think a lot on this day. You'll ask yourself, "Do I really want to start watching again?" You'll think about how we try to protect ourselves from things: We put dead-bolt locks on the doors, motion-sensor lights in the yard, and burglar alarms in the entrances to the house. To keep things warm inside, we buy double-paned glass, insulation, and weather stripping. Then we kneel down as a family and say "protect us from harm or accident."

But Satan is clever. He can find a way into our house. He can come right through the antenna (or the cable). Or we can actually pay money to rent his influence at the video store.

A month has passed, and now your experiment is over. If you start watching again, you'll notice that your vacation from television has increased your sensitivity. You'll realize that you used to be accustomed to the language of television, but now it will bug you. You'll hear the Lord's name taken in vain, and other crude language, and your mental taste buds will say, "Yuck, this is sick."

I hope you will take the TV or not TV challenge. I know you can do it because I did it. Try it! Prove it to yourself and see what happens. Keep a journal and take note of what abstaining from television does for your spirit. I can promise you four things: First, you'll have much more time. (They say the average daily television viewing per household is seven hours four minutes per day!). Second, you'll have an easier time controlling your thoughts. (You know what they say in the computer-programming business: "Garbage in, garbage out!"). Third, your spiritual sensitivity will increase. As you "deny yourself of all ungodliness" (see Moroni 10:32), you'll feel closer to the Lord. Fourth, you'll be more selective in the future. You won't just sit down to "watch TV." You'll choose carefully what you watch instead of punching the remote from a slouched position for three hours.

President Gordon B. Hinckley taught:

I am suggesting that we spend a little less time in idleness, in the fruitless pursuit of watching inane and empty television programs. Time so utilized can be put to better advantage, and the consequences will be wonderful. (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1997], 621)

Any powerful tool can be used as an awful weapon. Of course, there are excellent programs on TV, programs that can lift and inspire. Watch that kind of program when you choose to watch. But remember that Satan has found a way to use the media as a weapon as well. So, fellow frogs, maybe now would be a good time to jump out of the pot, because something's cooking, and I think it's us!