Entertaining at large

Food - Our first exposure to entertaining usually comes at an early age, and normally from our parents hosting the traditional "Holiday Celebrations," which in most cases turns out to be a feast. We watch our parents as they plan a menu, shop for food and then begin preparing the feast. That unfortunately, is where the watching ends on our part, and the participation, begins. "Dust the living room, sweep the kitchen floor, set the table and don't forget to clean your room," our mother shouts out. Now this is the point where in my mind I am thinking, "wait just a minute! when did I say I wanted to have company over?" "Not fair, you always make us clean the house,"....my sisters and I whine -- to which we hear, "get to work, you're part of this family too!" My sisters and I knowing what is best for us, (plus we want to eat, duh,) decide that we will help out.

It wasn't until I became an adult and found out for myself that entertaining is a lot like childbirth, there are parts of it that we enjoy and then some parts, not so much. And we swear (literally) we are not going to ever do it again. Poor Papa Bear, no more seeking Mama Bear. But, time heals all wounds and soon we forget the pain and remember only the joy. So, we start planning for the next time. Papa's happy now -- let the practice begin!

When our kids were growing up we used to entertain all of the time; there were the monthly card club groups, work parties, Tupperware parties, Home Interior parties, girls night parties, sporting team parties, etc.. Since then, there has been a drought and I'm not sure if we just got burnt out and now we want to be waited on, or if it has something to do with us not having any kids at home to "participate" any more.

Pecan Blue Cheese Bacon Bites
Ingredients:
96 perfect pecan halves (5oz.)
3 oz. cream cheese, room temp.
2 oz. Stilton Cheese, or any crumbled blue cheese
2 strips of finely chopped bacon
1/2 tsp. honey
pinch of ground pepper to taste
2 tbsp. chopped fresh chives (garnish)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place pecans on baking sheet and brown about 7 minutes - don't overheat. Remove from oven and let cool.
Combine the cream cheese, blue cheese, bacon, honey and pepper in a food processor or mixer and blend until smooth. Put mixture into a pastry bag or plastic baggie(snip corner).
Place half of the pecan halves flat-side down on the cookie sheet. Pipe a line of cream mixture evenly onto the pecan half. Top with the second pecan half, flat side down, and pipe a line of cream cheese on top. Garnish with chopped chives.

Tips: Pecans can be roasted 3 days in advance if stored in an airtight container. Cream cheese mixture can be prepared 3 days in advance and refrigerated; bring to room temp. before assembly. Assemble 3 hours in advance and let sit at room temp.

Dish - Kelly Ripa was seated in the front row at a recent Madonna concert, and Madonna handed Kelly the microphone and let her belt out a few lines. When did Kelly become a back-up singer to Madonna? Girl, we all know you can't sing, and I don't see Madonna handing me the mike anytime soon - I guess it pays to be a star.

Embellish - Take a walk down memory lane.