I would like to kick off our series on outdoor entertaining with a springy option to pour at your next at-home event!!  Making specialty drinks by the pitcher allows your time as a host/hostess to be so much more enjoyable…not having to mix drinks for each guest, one at a time.

featured in July 2007 In Style

The Pink Lilly

2  cups grapefruit juice

2 cups  pineapple juice

1 1/2 cups white rum

1 cup  chilled club soda

splash of grenadine

In a pitcher, combine juices and rum.  Cover and refrigerate until chilled, about 2 hours.  Stir well and pour into ice-filled martini glasses.  Top with club soda and grenadine.  Serves 10.

Enjoy!!

If you are asked to toast family and friends during St. Patrick’s Day…a few ideas for you…

There are good ships,
and there are wood ships,
The ships that sail the sea.
But the best ships, are friendships,
And may they always be.

May you live as long as you want and never want as long
as you live.

Always remember to forget
The troubles that passed away.
But never forget to remember
The blessings that come each day.

May the luck of the Irish
Lead to happiest heights
And the highway you travel
Be lined with green lights.

May you have all the happiness
and luck that life can hold—
And at the end of all your rainbows
may you find a pot of gold.

Enjoy celebrating the luck of the Irish…

St. Patrick’s Day is quickly approaching…Think Green…and all the fun…parades, the luck of the Irish…leprechauns and shamrocks!! To add to the festivities, just a few drink ideas to help you celebrate. Always remember to drink responsibly!

GREEN BEER…A few drops of green liquid food coloring in the bottom of a mug or glass topped off with your favorite beer.

APPLE GREEN MARTINI
1.5 ounce of vodka
1 ounce of Green Apple Schnapps
ice

Add ice to drink shaker…pour in the vodka and Schnapps…Shake! Strain into martini glass and garnish if desired.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARTY PUNCH (non-alcoholic)
4 liters of lemon-lime carbonated soda
2 pints lime sherbet
6 cups crushed ice.

In large punch bowl, pour in soda. Add sherbet and ice. Stir!!

IRISH COFFEE
2/3 part hot, strong, freshly brewed coffee
1/3 part Irish Whiskey
2 tsp brown sugar
Whipped cream

Into an Irish coffee mug…put in brown sugar…follow with the whiskey and hot coffee. Float whipped cream on top.

ENJOY!!

1.  Consider installing a personal filter on your kitchen faucet.  Save the cost of buying bottled water as well as decreasing waste.

2.  Give it a second thought before you print a document…or choose to use the quick print mode, using less ink.

3.  Set your thermostat a few degrees lower in the winter and a few degrees higher in the summer to save on heating and cooling costs.

4.  Start using compact fluorescent light bulbs.

5.  Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible.

6.  Take shorter showers.

7.  Donate or recycle cell phone whenever possible.

8.  Keep your car tires inflated to improve your gas mileage.

9.  Walk, bike or use public transportation.

10. Be Smart!  Take notice of your habits and make adjustments when possible!

I enjoyed exciting trips last year to LA and San Francisco…but the overriding sentiment all year was that of uncertainty and disappointment.  I look forward to a more positive attitude when it comes to business and the return of loyalty which seemed to go by the wayside in all aspects of the industry.  I thank those clients and vendors of mine who did not vary their loyalty to me and Encore Events, Inc.  I was more than happy to work with adjusted budgets and thank all of you who trusted me with your events.  I have hated to see so many businesses have to shut down due the economy, but am glad to say that Encore Events, Inc. survived and looks forward to opportunities to produce spectacular events this year!!

I recently attended The Special Event conference and trade show in New Orleans.  Sitting on the international MarComm Committee, I was able to attend ISES (International Special Events Society) leadership meetings before the start of the conference and was presented with my 10 year pin at the Leadership Reception!!  New Orleans has always been a special place for me…I grew up there and still have family there.  The last time I was in New Orleans was for the Sugar Bowl in 2005, so this was my first return since Katrina.

For a week, I was more than happy to eat my way through the city!  How could you not enjoy beignets with cafe au lait, oyster poy boys, crawfish etouffee, gumbo and bread pudding!  and yes, a hurricane!

2010 could not have started any better than my trip to New Orleans!  I will be routing for the Saints next weekend in the Super Bowl.  Who Dat?  Gotta love it!!  Geaux Saints!!