I sense hostility. Being asked to serve in the role of peacemaker throughout history, I thought that if you and Oric could get together over some frankfutters, burgers, cole slaw, and a cherry coke or two, maybe you could work this thing out? With that in mind, I offer some suggestions for good outdoor dining:
Don't Labor Over Outdoor Parties and Picnics
Entertaining Guru Nathalie Dupree Sizes Up Labor Day Celebrations
RACINE, Wis., Aug. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Heading into fall doesn't mean the
outdoor parties and picnics need to end. Outdoor entertaining remains popular
well into Labor Day and even beyond. With the heavy rains and extreme heat,
no one can predict what Mother Nature may bring to al fresco entertaining, but
what can be controlled is protecting guests from being bitten, bothered and
bugged by mosquitoes.
"Outdoor dining and entertaining is still in full swing and continues well
into fall," says Nathalie Dupree, entertaining expert, author, and regular
lifestyle contributor to PBS Television. "You can start the party off right
with the new OFF! Mosquito Lamp, which does double duty with its effective
mosquito protection and pleasant glow."
Porch Potato to Hot Potato -- Hip Labor Day Party Planning Tips
Outdoor gatherings can still sizzle with Nathalie Dupree's top
entertaining tips:
-- Made in the Shade.
No one likes to "sweat it out" at a party so creating shade with canvas
or bamboo coverings is inexpensive and easily done by using string to
tie the covering from the roof to leftover tent or gardening poles.
-- Mitigate Mosquitoes.
Control standing water and dense vegetation around your home to cut
down on places where mosquitoes breed such as old tires, bird baths and
broken fountains.
-- Dream Theme.
Throwing themed parties keeps guests on their toes. Try hanging
pinatas from trees for a Mexican fiesta. To plan a Hawaiian Luau, fill
watermelons with fruity cocktails and provide plenty of flowery leis
for everyone.
-- Make Mingling a Must.
The host or hostess should introduce guests to one another and
encourage conversation.
-- Grilling Guru.
When grilling vegetables, brush them with olive oil and sprinkle with a
good amount of salt and black pepper before they are placed on the
grill. A good tip is to put denser vegetables, like potatoes, on the
grill first since they will take longer to cook.
-- Cool Quenchables.
Keep guests from getting overheated by offering them ice-cold lemonade,
iced tea or water infused with fresh fruit. Keep a cooler on hand with
plenty of ice, it's the least expensive item at your party and usually
the most missed when you run out.
-- Top Summer Bummer.
Mosquitoes are rated as one of the biggest summertime nuisances.* To
help reduce mosquito bites, try the new OFF! Mosquito Lamp to help keep
pesky mosquitoes away and guests comfortable.
Eliminate Entertaining Annoyances
Nearly three-quarters of people agree (70%) that spending time outdoors in
the evening is the most "buggy" activity.* Whether relaxing on the deck
alone, entertaining an intimate gathering of family and friends or inviting
the entire block to a backyard barbecue, nothing can spoil a party faster than
guests being bitten by mosquitoes. More than three out of five* people turn
to citronella candles to repel mosquitoes, yet over half of these people feel
they are not effective. The new OFF! Mosquito Lamp protects an area 15 times
greater than citronella candles and provides an appealing ambiance.
Deter Unexpected Guests
The OFF! Mosquito Lamp is available nationwide in the insect repellent
department of mass supermarkets, drug, do-it-yourself and hardware stores.
The suggested retail prices include: Starter Kit with one reusable OFF!
Mosquito Lamp, one candle and one insect repellent pad - $8.99; Refill Kit,
including three candles and three pads - $4.99.
For tips on when and where to use mosquito repellents, log onto
www.mosquitoes.com . OFF! Mosquito Lamps add to the list of other quality
OFF! repellents, including mosquito coils, sprays and lotions, which are
designed to protect the whole family against mosquitoes.
SC Johnson, manufacturer of OFF! (R) Mosquito Lamp, is a family-owned and
family-managed business dedicated to innovative, high-quality products,
excellence in the workplace and a long-term commitment to the environment and
the communities in which it operates. Based in Racine, Wisconsin, the company
is one of the world's leading manufacturers of household cleaning products and
products for home storage, personal care and insect control. It markets such
well-known brands as Windex(R), Pledge(R), Glade(R), Fantastik(R), Ziploc(R),
Edge(R), OFF!(R) and Raid(R). The 115-year-old company employs more than 9,500
people and sells products in over 100 countries worldwide.
*The OFF! Bite Back survey of 2,521 men and women was conducted by Impulse
Research Corporation for SC Johnson.
Entertaining Outdoors Made Easy
Dos and Don'ts for Hosting Backyard Barbecues and Bonanzas
Whether summer plans include porch parties, picnics, grilling out or just
plain chilling out, entertaining outdoors is easy by following these simple
steps.
DOS DON'TS
DO provide seating for every guest. Be DON'T make your guests play
creative by using wooden trunks, large musical chairs when trying
decorative cement blocks or colorful to find a seat.
foam chairs.
DO use mosquito repellents, such as the DON'T let your guests
new OFF!(R) Mosquito Lamp, it will keep become the main course
unwanted guests from crashing the party on the menu.
by protecting an area 15 times greater
than citronella candles.
DO create timesaving lists that will DON'T spend too much time in
minimize trips to and from the kitchen the kitchen and away from
to maximize fun with friends. your guests.
DO create colorful centerpieces. Fill DON'T set any ordinary table,
rosebud vases with food colored water make it extraordinary.
and place in fresh fruit such as lemons,
limes, oranges or apples.
DO create a relaxing, warm ambiance DON'T keep your guests in
with the OFF! Mosquito Lamp, which also the dark when entertaining
helps keep mosquitoes at bay. outdoors.
DO encourage guests to bring their DON'T keep all the fun
favorite dishes and beverages. Not only and preparation to yourself.
does it make them feel more involved,
but it also takes some pressure off the
outcome of the gathering.
DO create a grab bag of goodies that DON'T let your guests leave
each guest can take home when they leave. empty handed.
It can be as simple as neatly shaped
rocks found on your morning jog or
seashells gathered from the beach.
DO make cleaning a breeze by using DON'T spend another minute
disposable plates and utensils. Not cleaning dirty dishes and
only do you just throw them away, but flatware after entertaining
you also eliminate the chance of anyone for hours.
breaking your good china. |
