Open House Soup Party

Hosting a holiday open house is an easy way to entertain friends, family or neighbors.  Best part is you can use make ahead recipes to save time.

They can be made in and served from slow cookers.  Three or four varieties of soups are nice offerings.  Spicy chili, a chowder, a minestrone or vegetable, and a creamy soup are a good selection to choose from.  Borrow slow cookers or rent. 

Have a toppings and bread area set up so your guests can individualize their soups and select a bread side of their choice.  Croutons, sour cream, shredded cheese, chopped green onions and parsley are nice toppings choices.

Who doesn't love a hearty bread to soak up that last bit of soup in your bowl?  Sourdough is classic for creamy soups like chowder or tomato.  Another popular choice would be a crusty baguette, sliced before guests arrive in a beautiful or festive basket.

Set up a small coffee bar.  Set up a single cup coffee maker like Keurig and put your K cups in a basket so guests can make their coffee as they please.  This time of year I always make sure I have Starbucks Christmas Blend .  It taste delicious and looks so festive!  Let's not forget the great creamers offered in grocery stores for Christmas.  Peppermint and Eggnog!  I keep them in my fridge throughout the entire holiday season.  

Dessert offerings should be simple.  Fresh fruit, brownies, cheesecake or ask friends and neighbors to bring a small variety of Christmas cookies they have baked.

 Set aside a bedroom or closet for your guests coats and purses.  

Make a play list of holiday music to go several hours.

Light candles, turn on outdoor Christmas lights, dim the inside lights.

Keep drink selections simple.  Prosecco, is a nice bubbly offering, always delicious and festive. 

Is plastic acceptable?  Well made, sturdy bowls and plates can be found in party stores, such as Party City and they ship and deliver.  Consider serving soup in coffee mugs (easy to carry).

Leaving the soups in the slow cookers on "warm setting" allows people to wander in to the kitchen and gather.  Set up small eating areas if you can with snack tables and chairs or guests will mingle and talk while sipping their soups.  

  Find a few minutes each day for yourself and enjoy time with your family, friends and neighbors.  

How Do You Brew your Coffee?

French Press

I love this antique box I found to keep my special Keurig KCups in.

I use an antique dish dryer rack to hang my coffee mugs.  Always a conversation piece.

I appreciate a great cup of coffee.  Years ago while visiting friends, they served us coffee made in a French Press.  If you want to treat your family and friends this weekend, try this method.  You start the coffee in the kitchen and finish it at the table where you can watch the brew process.  I like the Bodum french press and it can be found on Bodum.  

Here is the simplicity of the process that "connects" you to the coffee.  

Always use freshly ground coffee beans. Starbucks is my favorite coffee bean for it's rich and bold flavor. By the way pumpkin flavor fans like myself! Starbucks instant pumpkin latte has arrived in stores so stock up.  Plan on using approximately 1 tablespoon of grounds per cup.

Use a tea kettle to heat your water.  Let it sit for a couple of minutes after boiling before adding it to the french press.  

Pour the hot water into the press, slowly covering all the coffee grounds as you fill it up.  Stir the grounds immediately.

Add the filter on top and let the coffee steep for 4 minutes.  After the time has passed, press the plunger down and you are ready to pour and serve.  Customize with your favorite creamer, sugar, Agave nectar, or a sprinkle of ground cinnamon for a special treat.

Weekdays I use my Keurig single serve brewer . I generally drink just one cup in the morning and am the only one in the house drinking hot coffee.  My husband prefers cold pour iced coffee.  Making an entire pot of coffee each morning isn't practical. Plus it's quick and easy and there are over 500 varieties of coffee, tea and specialty beverages to choose from.  There are other single serve coffee makers out there of course, and everyone has a favorite.  We have a self serve coffee bar in our homes for family and friends who stay with us that gets a lot of use on weekends.   

Keep a coffee cake and/or cinnamon rolls in the freezer for coffee time! However you brew, enjoy and savor the moments. Happy weekend.

Easy Weekend Breakfast when Hosting Guests

Thanksgiving is around the corner and many of us will be hosting family and friends in our homes.
When having overnight guests, simplicity and efficiency are key ingredients.  This applies as well to your own family to allow you time to enjoy the weekend.    Create a Grab and Go Station so your guests can wake up on their own schedule and create a breakfast to their liking.  I love using apothecary jars and baskets for storage and presentation.  Use them to store and present dried fruit, granola, cereal, sugar and sugar substitutes.    Customize the breakfast selection for your family or friends.  If you have young children in your group, pop tarts, juice boxes and individual packages of donuts are popular choices.  Adults prefer fresh fruit, muffins, croissants, granola bars, breads, bagels, cream cheese, cereal and yogurts.   Set up the toaster nearby for easy toasting.  An assortment of jams and jellies go well with butter. Set your bowls and plates nearby but if your budget allows, paper bowls and plates are perfectly acceptable too. 
Have a coffee area where you have the coffee pot ready to plug in and brew.  I have a keurig coffee maker in both of our homes, allowing each individual to make their own fresh cup of coffee with the coffee of their choice.  And I have a french press to brew freshly ground coffee for a special treat. A  small basket with a variety of Kcups for the Keurig maker and a tray holding coffee mugs, creamers, stirrers and sugar is all you need for a coffee house experience at home.  


                                                                          Happy Weekend


                                                                            LakehouseLyn

Are you a cottage guest this weekend?

Headed to your friends cottage this weekend?  A beautiful sunset, a bottle of favorite wine, cheese and crackers on the Pier and you have found happiness.  

Each time we have family and friends stay with us at the lake house, they are more than helpful.  We may say no thanks when there is an offer to bring something, but we always appreciate a helpful hand or a guest bringing a snack, bottle of wine, craft beer or breakfast dish.  

Here are just a few items on Lake House Lyn Top Ten.

1) Bottled Waters

2) Sunscreen and/or bug repellent

3) A favorite dessert to pass and share. How about graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate bars for s'mores?

4)  Newspapers & Magazines to share and read

5)  Bagels and/or English Muffins

6)  Cream Cheese (what's a bagel without it after all)

7)  "Happy Hour" munchies like cut up fresh veggies, fresh fruit, dips, crackers or salsas

8)  Have a single cup coffee maker?  (Love my Keurig! ) A box of favorite Kcup coffee is always welcome! Have you tried pikeplace. ? My morning must have! 

9)  A bottle of wine to share is always welcome! P.S. oxfordlanding Chardonnay a favorite of mine. Just sayin:)

10)  Rainy day activities such as board game, card game or a crowd pleasing DVD

Enjoy your weekend!