S'more's Indoors or Outdoors

Though we are still in summer mode, our thoughts are returning to fall as Memorial Day is in view. You can't go wrong making s'mores when you are hosting or just celebrating a beautiful day. If rain in in the forecast, read below on how to make your s'mores in the oven.

 To save time, make up s'more kits ahead of time before everyone heads out to the fire pit (sticks not included).  It's an easy way to distribute all of the makings for delicious s'mores and the containers are reusable.  Kids especially love having their own container of s'more goodies.  Check with your local grocer about selling berry baskets.  If that's not an option, they can be purchased on Amazon or the craft store Michaels.  Budget friendly places to purchase your fixings are Walmart or Costco.  Kraft sells StackerMallows, a flattened marshmallow that fits perfectly on your graham cracker? I like just eating them out of the bag!

**If rain is dictating you staying indoors for the weekend, have squares of aluminum foil ready to pop each basket of ingredients into, assemble your s'more and heat in the oven at 350 for just a few minutes until the chocolate and marshmallow have melted and enjoy.  Happy weekend and thanks for reading.  

I love these Gluten Free graham crackers if you are on a Gluten Free diet.

5 Cozy Comforts

Top 5 for Hosting Overnight Guests...

With the holidays over, you can relax and enjoy those friends and family members who have decided to stay on just a day or two longer.  When you are entertaining at the lakehouse for the weekend,  here are a couple of tips for helping make your friends and family truly feel welcome.


Real Beds vs. Air Mattresses
Consider an ottoman or a day bed that you can use for seating for the daytime and sleeping for night time.

An Awesome Pillow
A great pillow can make all the difference in the world. For the ultimate luxury experience, invest in goose down (make sure your guests don't have an allergy to down).  Another great pillow are the memory foam pillows.  They are sure to please all types of sleepers, if you are a back, side or stomach sleeper, since they conform to every one's head shape.

A Sound Machine
Most of my family members need to have a fan running low for noise to sleep by.  A sound machine will help create a sense of privacy by masking any small noises or chatter.  Sound machines range in price and can be found in a variety of stores.  Check out walmart, or brookstone.     They supply a variety of sounds from gentle rain, wind, summer night.

Emergency Kit
Have a small emergency kit that holds double sided tape, earring backs, extra buttons, shoe shine kit, earring backs, toothbrush, toothpaste and mouthwash, deodorant, dental floss, small soaps and lotions, a needle and thread and a nail file.

Don't Forget!
A Bedtime Nightcap
Pour brandy or your favorite cordial in a small decanter and set it on the nightstand with a pretty cordial glass.

Your family and friends will thank you for thinking of their needs and making them feel right at home in your home.                              


December 2012/Real Simple

Hospitality Plus

We keep attractive wicker baskets stocked with small toiletries we have stocked up on. Watch your local papers for sales, particularly drugstores or your Walmart or Target stores which usually have a section with small travel size toiletries.  Stock pile these and when visiting hotels, bring home the free samples supplied at your hotel for your guests.  Perfect for the basket!  This way your  guests can choose from a nice variety of soaps, lotions, shampoos, conditioners, cotton balls, emery boards and even  have a sewing kit on hand if needed for emergencies.  Keep extra hangers in the guests closets for their use.  Watch your paper for sales on toothbrushes, toothpaste,  and mouthwash and buy in quantity to keep on hand for family or friends.  These are items are easily forgotten about and left at home.  It's always appreciated when you can provide and don't have to make a late night run to a store.

Bake and Freeze

Aluminum foil pans are a lifesaver for me when planning meals for family and friends.  We utilize our local Sam's Club, Costco or Walmart and stock up on loaf pans (I like the pans that come with plastic lids).  The three breads that works best for me and are favorites at our home are cranberry, cinnamon struesel, and my sister-in-law Michelle's banana bread.  I am including this recipe below.  So easy and really the best banana bread I have ever had!  Good use of your ripening bananas too!  Here goes:)
Ingredients are:
2 1/4 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
3 VERY RIPE bananas
1 cup sour cream (fat free, low or regular)
1/2 stick butter or margarine softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 cup pecan pieces
2 tbsp ground cinnamon
1 tbsp sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray your loaf pan with non-stick cooking or baking spray. Combine the ground cinnamon and 2 tsp sugar in plastic bag and shake.  (Shortcut is to buy cinnamon sugar from spice aisle and use instead). Take 3/4 of the mixture and shake into the loaf pan to coat bottom and sides. Put rest aside.
In a large bowl, mash the bananas, add the butter, sugar, sour cream and eggs and beat until smooth. Slowly add the dry ingredients and mix well.  Add the pecans and stir.  Pour into loaf pan and sprinkle remaining cinnamon sugar on top. Bake at 350 for 50 minutes or so.  Insert toothpick in middle and done if it comes out clean.
I double this recipe when making more than one loaf and its fun to buy the mini loaf pans and serve individual loaves to guests.
Cool and put in freezer ziplock bag to freeze for future use in not serving right away.  Date the bag with a permanent marker.  Enjoy :)