Former Martha Stewart tastemaker offers his tips for stylish soirees
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Entertaining
BC-ENTG-PARTYTHEME-BRIDGE:CH (778 words)
As a former event planner for Martha Stewart in New York City, Gastonia, N.C., resident August Post is known for a level of style that's off the charts - but without spending a lot of money. At his home recently, that signature style was on display as Post hosted a bridge party for friends. The game is getting attention again, thanks to billionaires Bill Gates and Warren Buffett. They've put ...

May/01/2013 01:16 PM

Make your next dinner party a killer one
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Entertaining
BC-ENTG-PARTYTHEME-MYSTERYDINNER:MCT (1119 words)
Col. Mustard has been found face-down in the study. What weapon led to his demise: the revolver, rope or candlestick? More importantly, who is responsible for the colonel's untimely end? There's a reason the board game and synonymously titled 1985 cult classic film "Clue" have remained popular throughout the decades: everyone loves a good mystery. What better venue for both a juicy meal and ...

May/01/2013 12:58 PM

A sign of summer: The neighborhood block party
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Entertaining
BC-ENTG-SUMMER-BLOCKPARTY:MCT (1026 words)
Burgers sizzling on the grill, kids conducting an impromptu parade down the street, a veteran neighbor reminiscing about when your Eisenhower-era house was built. They're all familiar scenes from a sure sign of summer: the neighborhood block party. But in a time of iGadgets and Twitter feeds, the first casualty is often our interaction with those who live right next door. "Many of us are so ...

May/01/2013 12:50 PM

A garden party is about the details, not the location
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Entertaining
BC-ENTG-SUMMER-GARDENPARTY:MCT (1122 words)
Summer is right around the corner. For those that look to warm weather as a chance to be outside, relax with family and friends or admire the season's flowers and blooms, why not consider hosting a garden party? The truth is, you don't even need to have a garden to throw a successful, beautiful and fun garden party. Whether you're a have or a have-not, you can host a garden party anywhere you ...

May/01/2013 12:41 PM

Summer entertaining made easy: Host a backyard taco bar
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Entertaining
BC-ENTG-SUMMER-TACOBAR:MCT (1002 words)
The return to outdoor entertaining is one of the most celebrated aspects of the summer season. While moving the party outside is a welcome change, hosts can find it difficult to decide on a menu that is not only delicious, but also easily served alfresco. A simple and satisfying solution is a backyard taco bar. The portions can be adjusted to feed a group of any size, and the worry over picky ...

May/01/2013 11:58 AM

Let's go on a picnic
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Entertaining
BC-ENTG-SUMMER-PICNIC:MCT (2496 words)
We love dining in the park. But cooking and bundling up everything we'll need? Not so much. Our solution: Seven portable recipes, complete with do-ahead and packing tips, that will make any on-the-go meal seem deliciously effortless. - PIZZA SCONES Scones aren't just for breakfast or afternoon tea. Our savory recipe features sun-dried tomatoes and mozzarella. INGREDIENTS 2 cups flour { cup ...

May/01/2013 11:49 AM

On the rocks: Summer and rum go hand in hand
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Entertaining
BC-ENTG-ONTHEROCKS:MCT (1099 words)
With a cold, windy, rainy, snowy springer - that's a combination of spring and winter, by the way - finally behind us, Memorial Day and the first days of summer are almost here. And that also means flavorful, fresh summer cocktails can't be far behind. Rum emerges as a clear winner for making warm weather cocktails, and the best thing is that they can be as versatile as you want them to be. ...

May/01/2013 11:32 AM

Hungry for grilling books
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Entertaining
BC-ENTG-PARTYBOOKS:TB (644 words)
Q: Who's your go-to for smoking and slow cooking on the grill? Looking for a few good recipes this summer. - Kevin Hauswirth, Chicago A: One go-to guide is "Low & Slow: Master the Art of Barbecue in 5 Easy Lessons" by Gary Wiviott, pit master at Barn & Company in Chicago. Recipes are offered for kettle grills and smokers. I've pinned below a recipe from the book that was published in the ...

May/01/2013 11:00 AM

Sesame herb crackers so easy the kids can make them
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Entertaining
BC-ENTG-DIYCRACKERS:MCT (769 words)
If you're hosting a gathering, you and your kids can add a homey touch to your cheese plate by baking a batch of crackers from scratch. The process is easy (just mix, knead, roll, and slice!), and since the recipe doesn't require any rising time, the tasty payoff comes together in a single kitchen session. For a more rustic look, bake the crackers in whole sheets and let the kids break them ...

May/01/2013 11:00 AM

BBQ My Way: Top 10 list for 2013 grilling season
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Entertaining
BC-ENTG-BBQMYWAY-GRILLINGTOP10:MCT (901 words)
I think we are far enough into warmer weather so I can't jinx us by saying spring is here! Wow. Didn't that seem like a long winter? As we enter the outdoor grilling and barbecue season, I thought I would compile a top-10 list of things to get done to optimize this year. Why 10? Letterman does it and he seems to do fine it, so here goes. 1. Do not think of the outdoor cooking season as ...

May/01/2013 11:00 AM