Holidays Are Reminders of Memories Made in the Kitchen.

Holidays are reminders of memories made in the kitchen. By Becky Hopkins

Making Memories & Remembering Them …

Holidays, memories and food are almost inseparable. For both rich and poor, holidays will often include good food and what happened around its preparation, the dinner hour, and even post-meal work in the kitchen. The jokes and stories told as everyone
worked in the kitchen. Stories told around the dinner table. Laughter over dessert and coffee and continuing relaxed conversation and games afterwards. Relationships and friendships are built around shared meals – whether simple or gourmet. In the
memory department, food is a facilitator!

Food is also a great connector to the past – to favorite cooks and the memories that go with them. What about family main course and dessert recipes that are timeless? Trendy vegetable and salad creations? In some families, stories are told thru recipe
collections. A veritable culinary family tree may even be found.

Of course, aside from eating and enjoying a great meal, dish, or dessert, the next best thing about food is sharing it with others.

Becky Hopkins

http://www.50andholding.info

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Its A Matter Of Our Health, Staying Socially Active

It’s a matter of our health … staying socially active in Dallas, Texas by Becky Hopkins

The experts and surveys have all sorts of data to prove what we already know: We just feel better when we maintain a healthy social life. A down side to aging can be lower stamina, so adequate rest, sensible diet and just walking regularly may help.

If you enjoy hosting home events but are feeling the pinch of limited income or added unexpected expenses, don’t be discouraged. Home entertaining still is less expensive, so to continue with hosting at home, be sure to check vanity and an
unrealistic sense of pride at the door — those self-imposed “standards” about the home’s location, condition, size and décor. Keep perspective in place.

Home entertaining can allow variety, but as a stress reliever, do things that you enjoy and are your strong suit. If a hostess isn’t at her best in the kitchen, there are many ways to improvise, since a home event isn’t exactly a state dinner.

Dessert and Coffee (If this is your niche, make your special dessert and provide the recipe on an attractive recipe card for guests who are interested). Sharing recipes starts conversations and is a good ice breaker for people just meeting each other. If your attempts in the kitchen are unpredictable, order something from one of the many good bakeries and specialty stores. Your guests will think no less of you for not baking your own. Serve dessert wine or coffee as a change from regular coffee – more to talk about.

Wine and Cheese (serve both white and red wines; some people are allergic to red wine and others have definite preferences between the two). You might have 1 or 2 cheeses (a nice Havarti, a creamy Swiss, Gouda, or other specialty cheese), a couple of types of plain crackers, and in-season fruit. A nice cake may be served as dessert but is optional. The wine stemware (matched is nice, but need not be expensive), napkins and cheeses are simple but can be an attractive arrangement on a table or serving counter. Done at home, this is a nice mid-week break that requires little preparation and a chance to relax from week’s work schedule.

Appetizers and Wine or Non-Alcoholic Beverage (for a small group, followed by main course at a restaurant, Dutch treat). This works better for a smaller group where guests know each other.

Sports Event Party (Queso, chips, salsa, bar-b-que, and Margaritas, beer and non-alcoholic beverages). The menu can easily expand if guests like to cook and everyone is contributing to the festivities.

Saturday or Sunday Brunch (one of our favorites) Have freshly baked bread(s), breakfast souffle or casserole, fruit, juice, coffee and tea. This is a great, relaxed way to visit.

Friday Night Buffets (patterned after old style potluck dinners, but serving appetizers, finger food and desserts instead of entrees). This is a favorite route for some dear neighbor friends.

Potluck For an informal early supper, find a recipe and have each guest bring an ingredient (works great with taco salads) so that guests are involved in meal preparation. This is a great icebreaker for an informal gathering where all guests
don’t know each other.

Far more important than home décor and type of food is hospitality. Make your guests feel appreciated and included in whatever type gathering you are having. You will have a successful home event and be considered a good hostess.

The bonus? The afterglow: fresh social memories of times with friends is positively energizing.

Becky Hopkins, SRES, GRI
CENTURY 21 Judge Fite Company

Serving the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex

http://www.50andholding.info

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Downsizing … the ugly “D” word

Downsizing … the ugly “D” word

It seems like only yesterday when we bought our first home and furnished it with a table, 4 chairs, a sofa, portable TV and our first bedroom furniture. The house was more vacant than furnished. Fast forward 9 years to a house that was straight and organized in appearance, but in fact harbored all descriptions of “stuff” that accumulated over the years – in the closets, under the beds, under the couches, in the attic, in the garage. And that was after multiple garage sales.

Second house, same story; third house, same story even though both houses were larger.

So, when we decided to downsize, after donating or selling what appeared to be enough to furnish a house, we filled to overflowing two large dumpsters and happily moved to our fourth house. At that location, after placing furniture and appliances in the house, the movers filled our garage with boxes of all that remained. The explanation for the remaining volume of stuff was simple: it had multiplied while traveling from the third to the fourth house. After going thru all boxes in the garage, I called Good Will and donated three-fourths of the stuff. Guess what? It has happened again. I repeatedly clean out linen closets and cabinets, and I continue to
find more boxes of stuff to clear out. How can that be? Our house is not cluttered, but some unknown evil happens once something is placed behind a cabinet or closet door.

Word to the wise: Don’t wait to begin downsizing because you may not live long enough to send stuff where you want it to go.

Becky Hopkins, SRES, GRI
CENTURY 21 Judge Fite Company
Serving the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex

www.50andholding.info

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