Picnics and Parties!

By: Lexi Smith

I love planning parties – and summer is full of opportunities to party.  I planed a family picnic for July 4^th for 15 people and, since the weather prediction was bleak – storms off and on all day – I hosted an indoor picnic – and focused on bringing the outdoors inside.  We do it for Christmas – why not July 4^th??  I thought about turning my garage into a poolside paradise (without the sand!).

On the menu is my newest favorite

POTATO SALAD:

Ingredients (for 4 – 6 people):

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/3 cup sour cream

3 tablespoons bottled white horseradish

1 heaping tablespoon Dijon mustard

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/3 cup finely chopped red onion

2 teaspoons chives (optional – mostly for color)

3 pounds cooked small red potatoes, cooled to room temperature and quartered

Directions:

Whisk together onion, mayonnaise, sour cream, horseradish, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a large bowl until smooth. Add potatoes and chives and stir to coat.  Let chill in fridge for at least an hour.

For ease of planning, a baked spiral ham goes with just about anything – and leftovers are great for sandwiches; but if you’re determined to go the grill route, I opt for chicken kabobs – they’re easy make and easy to eat.  Here’s my go to recipe:

CHICKEN KABOBS:

Ingredients (for 4 – 6 people)

1 (8 oz.) container of Greek yogurt

½ teaspoon lemon zest

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

2 teaspoons dried oregano

½ teaspoon of salt

¼ teaspoon of ground black pepper

½ teaspoon rosemary

1 pound boneless chicken breasts cut into 1 inch pieces

Directions:

In a large baking dish mix yogurt, lemon juice and zest, oregano, salt, pepper, and rosemary.  Place chicken in the dish and turn to coat.  Cover and marinate for 3 – 6 hours in the refrigerator.

Preheat grill to high heat; thread chicken onto skewers; grill until chick is no longer pink and the juices run clear (about 20 minutes).

Entertainment for crowds is always harder than the food for me.  If it’s an outdoor picnic – you can set up a volleyball net and bring a beach ball.  Indoor activities pose more complications.  I recently found a child-sized bean bag toss game at Walgreen’s that works perfectly in the garage!  But, you’ll want to have some variety in your activities, so pick out some table games that are fun for observing too.  Jenga is one of my favorites, as is Barrel of Monkeys, and Pick up Sticks.  You’re just never too old to enjoy these things!!

Always have on stash wrapped prizes (I get mine from the dollar store) to give away to the winners – everyone enjoys this part.

Music is essential – and Pandora Radio (at www.pandora.com) is my latest great find!  If you don’t have an account – get one before your next party.  You will be so glad you did.  Pandora is an online radio station that allows you to personalize a radio station of your own – for whatever the occasion.  You’ll need your computer, an Internet connection, and good speakers.

Finally – have fun!  I’m planning to intermix food, drink, and game stations around my house so that people can visit different rooms for different experiences:  Appetizers and cocktails in the living room, along with table games; main dishes and soft drinks in the garage, with bean bag toss on one end and food on the other; dessert with coffee in the kitchen.  And, if the weather cooperates – everyone will eventually end up outside!

Lexi Smith is a lifestyle guru for the woman seeking positive change.  She is owner and creative director of Being Fabulous!, a consultation and personal shopping service designed to help clients achieve a higher quality of life by finding their own signature style.