Rich's for the Home

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Your Spa.....Ahhhh! Tips for a Fall Party

Fall is almost here and although you may enjoy your hot tub all year around, some of us tend to put it away in the winter. If you are one of those who tucks it aside for the colder weather, I encourage you to use it a few more times first. Although the evenings are chilly right now, it is a perfect time to have a hot tub party, as long as you prepare for possible inclement weather and also have indoor activity available. It can be one last way to celebrate the warmth, sun and the beginning of the Fall season and all that it brings. Your friends and family will enjoy an opportunity to both hit the hot tub and socialize and I know that you will be glad too.

Here are some tips for a Fall Hot tub party:

1. Try to keep school and sport schedules in mind. You won't have many attendees if everyone has School Open House or a sports event.
2. Have warm drinks available and include a variety such as tea, hot cocoa, cider and coffee.
3. Don't forget snacks! Consider appetizer-type ones such as BBQ'd Chicken Wings, Meatballs and Raw Veggies.
4. Purchase some BIG fluffy towels. Your guests will love the luxurious feeling.
5. Plan sometime cozy like a movie after the dipping. Or, play a board or card game.

Labor Day 2009: making it memorable

It's almost Labor Day 2009. Do you have anything special planned? One last bash before Fall begins? Making it special for all probably tops your list of things to do.

Why not make it a very cool BBQ right in your own backyard? Here are some ideas to make it the best bash yet:

1. Decide on a menu early. Then make a list and stick to it when shopping. This will prevent a ton of stress and standing in the aisle of a store thinking "Oh maybe I should add THAT." 
2. Keep special diets in mind. And provide grill veggies or veggie burgers in addition to meats.
3. Shop the day before Labor Day not on Labor Day.
4. Make sure your grill is working and that you have all supplies needed before Labor Day.
5. Have enough chairs for most of your guests.
6. Involve the kids and family in fun things like decorating.
7. Consider placing an older child in charge of games. Have a backup plan but try to play what they want to play. It will be fun.
8. Don't forget to call or email family and friends to invite them to the gathering.
9. Plan for only a couple hours, but be willing to hang out with those who want to stay later.

July 4, 2009: Celebrate with style and with the earth in mind

If you are like me, you want to be of a green mind even during celebrations and on holidays. But for some reason, it seems tough.

In reality, it isn’t more difficult than having an average green day. It just takes some pre-planning. Why not make a list of ways you can celebrate this holiday and still be friendly to our Earth? Here are some tips to get you started:

1. The group that crafts together has loads of fun. At your next gathering, ask all your guests to bring a box of stuff they'd normally throw away. You supply hammers, nails, glue etc. Set everything out on a table and have everyone craft their own wind-chime or garden sign.
2. Choose local, organic foods whenever possible. Turn a visit to an organic farm into a party. Don't be shy about asking the farmer for ideas and recipes.
3. Focus on no-cost fun including old-fashioned games and activities like an obstacle course or relay races that you adapt according to participants' ages. More games.
4. If you're seriously into eco-friendly, ditch the personal fireworks as they are anything but. Also, it is more environmentally friendly for thousands of people to attend a big display versus setting off your own fireworks.
5. Don’t waste food. If you have leftovers, send them with people who will eat them. Put them in containers with lids versus plastic baggies. If you don’t want to send your good leftover dishes, buy disposable that can be washed and re-used.
6. Recycle any waste that is left over. Put veggie and fruit scraps in the compost bin. Recycle aluminum cans and anything plastic or glass.
7. Walk to your local parade and fireworks instead of using your car. That will make even parking a breeze. Or ride your bikes and get good exercise too.
8. Proudly wear a green tee shirt to any gatherings. How about “I’m celebrating with Red, White and Green?”
9. Have fun and be proud that you are bettering us all—even during celebrations.

Thanks to CelebrateGreen for a couple of the above ideas.

Celebrate with Red, White and Green

For most Americans, July 4th marks the official start of summer and that means family and friends gathering together enjoying each other at picnics and barbecues. But all this celebrating can take a toll on the Earth (and cost a lot of green as well), so why not consider some alternatives to the ways we've traditionally celebrated summer? Here are just a few ideas:

Serve filtered tap water. It's so easy to hit one of the big box stores and pick up cartons of water if you're hosting a picnic or barbecue, but you can save money and the planet when you choose to drink and serve filtered tap water instead.

Knowing that bottled water (even by the case), is 240 to 10,000 times more expensive than tap water and that 40% of bottled water should be labeled tap water because that's what it is, you may decide that the "convenience" is simply not worth the cost. Instead, set out pitchers of iced tap water and ask a willing helper to keep the pitchers full.

Substitute reusables for disposables when possible. Picnics and barbecues have become synonymous with throw aways--plates, cups, napkins, tablecloths and decor. While there are more choices for disposables made from recycled and biodegradable materials, using what you already own and remains a more earth-friendly (and budget-conscious) choice.

If you don't own enough plates and glasses, why not:

1. Borrow. Friends and neighbors are usually happy to contribute
2. Ask everyone to bring their own place settings. That's what people used to do B.P.P. (before paper plates).
3. Hit your local thrift store. You'll likely be able to pick up dozens of plates very inexpensively and when you're done, you can donate them back.

When it comes to napkins, tablecloths and decor, think outside the paper box by decorating with items you already own, like sheets. Supply guests with red, white and blue fabric markers and set them loose. You'll end up with a unique table covering that you can use over and over again. Also, washcloths make great napkins and if they're stained with barbecue sauce, use them for rags.

--
Guest posters Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell-Lipson are mother and daughter and co-authors of Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family. 

Games for Outdoor Entertaining 3: Water Balloon Toss

WATER BALLOON TOSS

The Water Balloon Toss is a great way to both cool off and add some laughs to your outdoor gathering. Aww come on-a little water never hurt anyone, right?

PRE-PLAN

1. Buy a bag or two of water balloons.
2. Fill them up.
3. Place them in large buckets or containers.

STEPS

1. Partner participants up with someone of similar height, if possible.
2. Line people up so there is an even distance between two lines, with partners across from each other.
3. Give water balloon to one partner, who must toss it to their partner. The partner should catch it.
4. After each toss, the person who tossed it must step back one step.
5. Teams are out when their balloon breaks.

MIX IT UP

• If you don't want winners and losers, just keep passing out balloons to people who break theirs until all the balloons are gone.
• Add an action before tossing. For instance, tosser must do a jumping jack before tossing balloon.
• Rotate one line after each toss so that people can experience different partners.

Treasure Hunt
Freeze Tag

Games for Outdoor Entertaining 2: Freeze Tag

FREEZE TAG

Freeze Tag is an oldie but goodie and is fun even for adults. The person who is "it" runs around and tags people. Once tagged, the person is frozen and can't move around again until someone who is free crawls between their legs.


PRE-PLAN

1. Find a space. The backyard will work.
2. Decide who is "it".

MIX IT UP

• Divide the group into two teams. Use a ribbon or bandanna around the wrists to differentiate teams. Have two people be "it", one from each team. Free people can only unfreeze people on their own team. When you want to end the game, the team with the most unfrozen people wins.
• Start with a wide playing area and narrow it throughout the game.
• Make a safe zone where people can run to but they can only be in there twice during the game and for 15 seconds at a time.

STEPS

1. Go!

Treasure Hunt

Games for Outdoor Entertaining 1: Treasure Hunt

It's party time! Are you ready for outdoor entertaining this year? I sure am. I am going to start a series on outside games that you can use to spice up your outdoor party. And most of them are for the adults as well as the kids! So get your planning notebook or print this page and add it to your ideas. It's FUN.

TREASURE HUNT

The best treasure hunts are when the prize is valuable to that particular crowd. For kids, of course, it can be as simple as a box of candy. For adults, you might have to get more clever (although candy is sometimes appreciated in that age group too). Try movie passes, bowling passes, game or play tickets or food and drink.

PRE-PLAN

1. Cut slips of paper or use index cards for each clue.
2. Each clue needs to lead to a location with the next clue.
3. Make the clue rhyme, if you can.
4. When done with a clue, fold it over and write on the outside of the clue where you will be placing it.
5. Make the last stop the TREASURE.
6. Don't hide the FIRST clue. But do hide the rest.

MIX IT UP

• Divide into teams and see who can find the treasure the most quickly. If you have teams, you will have to make more than one copy of each clue and explain that each team should only take one.
• Ask your neighbors if they can house a "stop" in their yards. Or, use other stops such as the stop-sign down the street.
• The more clues, the longer it will take.

STEPS

1. Either divide people into teams or make it a group effort.
2. Pass out the first clue.
3. GO!

Inauguration Day 2009 Celebration

Are you celebrating Inauguration Day 2009? It’s a more-than-usual historic event and a celebration as well. Here are some tips for you.

 

• Tape or TiVo the Inauguration so that you can watch it during your gathering as it runs in the morning, on both a school and work-day for most people.

• Celebrate outside! Our weather has much improved and it’s a little warm out there. Great to see, don’t you agree? So if the sun is out, get your friends outside for some much needed sun. Then when it’s time to watch the inauguration, gather the troops near the television.


• Emphasize to kids involved how important this day is in history, if they don’t already know.


• Decide how you can celebrate in a family-friendly way. Have food and drinks that all can drink and eat.

• Prepare some historical trivia questions in regards to past presidents as a way to get conversation going where needed. Don’t forget to also write down the answers.


• Consider décor that imitates royalty, the White House (or parts within), capital buildings, monuments, etc.

• Don’t forget to use your grill to make super-duper Inauguration Day burgers or steaks.

Inauguration Day Veggie Appetizer

Find Neighborhood Inaugural Ball Parties

Inaugural Party at Lincoln Memorial

All about the Inauguration

Inaugural Events

All about the Inaugural Ball

The Ten Must-Haves for Tailgating by Joe Cahn

Joe stopped by to give us his die-hard list of "Tailgating Must-Haves". He’s totally on target here folks so make sure when you pack up your mini-grill to take to the games this year that you also note the rest of the items on this list.

Bull’s-Eye Barbecue Sauce:

Barbecue sauce is the new ketchup! Bull’s-Eye uses high quality ingredients and has no high fructose corn syrup, so I think it’s the best bottled sauce on grocery store shelves. No one will know that it’s not your secret recipe.

Toilet Paper:

It may seem silly, but toilet paper is one of the most important pieces of equipment for a tailgate.  Port-o-lets never have enough toilet paper, so make sure you’re always prepared when nature calls.

Portable Power Station:

After an entire day of partying in the parking lot, you don’t want to be left in the dark with a dead battery after the game.

Tailgating check list:

Nothing is worse than someone forgetting ice for the cooler, charcoal for the grill or tickets for the game. A check list is a great way to keep organized and to ensure that you’ve packed everything. And it’s free!

Restaurant-Quality Tools:

They’re not as fancy as the barbecue sets that you can find in stores, but they work the best and will stand up to the elements to make it through many tailgating seasons. Tools that I like include a Stainless Steel flexible Spatula and Stainless Steel Tongs.

Waterproof Oven Mitt:

This oven mitt is finished with a special coating that keeps liquids and steam from penetrating the fabric and seams, so it prevents steam, water and grease burns. It also has extra length to protect your forearm and is dishwasher safe for easy clean up.

Food Storage Cereal Dispenser:

With so many people visiting your tailgate, a cereal dispenser is a great way to make sure that dirty hands don’t get into the peanuts or trail mix. The airtight container will also keep food nice and fresh.

American Red Cross Family First Aid Kit:

Whether there’s a burn at the grill or rogue football that bounces off a tailgater’s head, having a first aid kit on hand is always a must.

Casio EX-S10:

This is the world’s smallest and thinnest 10 megapixel camera.You can slide it into a pocket so that it’s always on hand and it also has a YouTube mode, which allows you to record video and easily share memories with your new tailgating friends.

Tundra Fire Extinguishing Spray:

To ensure that your tailgate doesn’t border on scorching, keep this extinguishing spray on hand to put out any flames and to keep your guests in the clear. It’s powerful and easy to use, just point and spray.

Five Ways to Make a Great Guest Experience

1. Check out local attractions and "tourist" draws. Here on the coast and near my home we have the Astoria Column, Maritime Museum, Heritage Museum, Seaside Arcade, Beach (of course), Art Galleries/Restaurants in Cannon Beach, Tillamook Cheese Factory (free!), Blue Heron French Cheese Petting Farm (free!) and more.

2. Plan activities for down-time and keep people moving. Why? Otherwise they may sit, sit, sit and wonder why they are tired. Think about bike rides, walks or runs, a game of basketball or tennis, etc and plan for group activity on a regular basis. Don’t make participation a requirement but those that want to stay active will appreciate it. On the flip side, plan evening activity that is more laid back such as a great movie or card game. And keep in mind—just because it is planned doesn’t mean it has to happen. Be flexible, but prepared.

3. Think more healthy-people associate breaks, vacations and fun times with sugar. But this will also cause fatigue so provide healthy drinks too and plenty of water. Go easy on the desserts and provide fresh snack food like fruits and veggies. Your guests will feel better.

4. Continue to clean. I know, what a pain. But experience is part of the picture so make sure you keep up with dishes, laundry, etc while your guests are with you. It’s no fun to have mountains of it when everyone leaves and of course, you will need to re-use the dishes while everyone is there. Collect dirty towels and get them washed. Don’t forget to take care of your pets. Sometimes guests even pitch in to help—don’t forget to say "yes".

5. Insure that creature comforts are met. It is true that people cannot concentrate on relaxation (or much else) when they are hot or cold, don’t have shelter or are hungry. A good host or hostess insures that these needs are met the entire time—as much as they are able to meet them.

Organize Your Entertaining To-Do List

Your list is of vital importance when you are planning an event. For a big family reunion (30 plus people at my house), I had help—thank goodness—in crossing out those to-dos but I still found it helpful to have it organized. There are several different ways to do this.

1. Organize by Day-Make lists for several days leading up to the event, organized by day (i.e. Tuesday-mow yard, buy food).
2. Organize by Degree of Difficulty- Make different lists with "adult" chores and ones the kids can help with or do.
3. Organize by Skill- Make lists for different members of the family based on their abilities, gifts, or what they like to do (i.e. Dad-mow yard. Mom-Shop. Kid-Vacuum Living Room).
4. Organize by Proxy- Draw names for various to-dos and make a separate list for each individual to cross off items as they are completed.
5. Don't organize at all—and if you still have a successful event, call me. I need your brain.

What you use to make your list is important too. In my experience, Post-It Notes ™ can get lost unless they are mounted to paper. Sometimes they work on a white board but have the potential of loosening as people walk by. You are better off using the white board itself. Since I don’t want to miss any to-dos, I keep a spiral notebook and use several pages—that way it stays all together. I even use those same pages for a shopping list, guest list and anything else related to the event.

Community Camping and BBQ

If you’re gonna do it anyway, why not do it on a large scale? Plan a neighborhood, group or community BBQ. What a welcome to mid-season that would be.

We just returned from a very large group outing—a three day camping trip. The group rents a whole section of a campground each year for the outing and each family uses a site. They keep one (large) site free for the gatherings and everyone brings their own chair and place setting there for special events. Our favorite group activity was an evening talent show and BBQ.

There are organized activities but of course impromptu ones as well. People meet up with their friends, hit the park and beach and play Frisbee along the road. The most popular activity by far is bike riding. It seems that everyone brings a bike—even the smallest of kids—and they ride around the circle constantly.

Here are tips from the organizers:

1. Don’t try and tackle it alone. Gather a team.
2. Plan ahead-way ahead. Campgrounds in particular might need up a year in advance to reserve the right amount of spots. See if you can reserve with a deposit and then have everyone pay for their own spot when they arrive and register.
3. Decide on the amount and type of group gatherings early then publish a flyer that includes all of the information. Make sure you have at least one potluck when everyone brings a dish.
4. Keep a To-Do List, a To-Buy List and (closer to the event) To-Pack List.
5. Plan for RAIN.
6. Plan for any rental items needed for group events and transportation to get the items to the camp.
7. Keep a master list as people RSVP and assign them a spot. A map of the campground might be helpful—write their last name right on it.
8. Become familiar with any rules and regulations of the area. In particular check for rules regarding pets and motor vehicles.
9. Have one organizer arrive and post signs with each family name at the campsite assigned to them as the sites empty from the previous tenant. Cover the paper with plastic and staple them to stakes that you can pound into the ground.
10. For the sites where an organizer is staying—put a special sign or symbol on the family name sign so that people know where to go with questions.
11. Don’t spend all your energy getting ready. Make sure that events are planned and staffed with the appropriate amount of staffers. Follow up to ensure that they have everything that they need. Assign them the event from the planning to the finish line, including running it at the show, but don't be afraid to check in with them to see how it is going.

Eco-Wise Entertaining

If you want to entertain and yet also care about your environment like Rich’s for the Home does, there are many companies and products out there to support you in this endeavor.

Invites- Send an email instead of paper. Or, use the many email postcard options on the web. If you really, really want to use paper, try an invite from the Green Field Company made of seeds that can be planted afterwards. Check out invitesites for more eco-conscious options.

Tableware- Go back to the basic and use your regular plates instead of paper or plastic to toss afterward. Yes, it’s a little more work but assign out the help to your kids while explaining how they are helping the environment. Other options? Bamboo plates which decompose when placed in a compost bin or ones made of other natural material. Or check out natural fiberware.

Food- Decide you don’t want to cook? There are eco-friendly caterers available that care about our environment too. Herban Feast Catering in Seattle offers eco-friendly, vegan-friendly and price-friendly options for your event. If you do want to cook, buy organic and locally grown. Look for meat raised with natural feeding processes (grain and grass) without chemicals.

Drink- If you are serving alcohol, buy local wines or organic wine. For non-alcoholic choices, choose juice that is processed locally if possible. Try organic teas and coffee as well. Water is always an excellent choice and healthy too.

After- Compost the scraps (non-meat). Save leftovers or send them home with your friends. Wash the dishes, depending on what kind you chose, for next time. And finally, sit down and think about what worked, what didn’t work and how next time can be even more eco-wise.

Have other eco-wise entertaining ideas? Please share!

Jazz up for the Fourth

My brother’s and I share something unique. If you line up our birth stones, in order of our births, they make a patriotic color pattern: red, white and blue. At one time we had a necklace made for our mom with our three birthstones.

So here is some fun. Jazz up your backyard Fourth of July get together with some pots of various red, white and blue flowers. They can be together in the pots, or separate. But it is a great way to impress your guests AND show your patriotism.

Here are some red, white and blue flowers you may find at your local nurseries:

RED- Cosmos, Lily, Cannas, Dahlia, Tulips, Carnations and Hollyhock.

WHITE- Lily, Hollyhock, Zinnia, Cosmos, Petunia, Pansy, Daisy, Iris, Stattice, Asters, and Hydrangea.

BLUE- Hydrangea, Morning Glory, Delphinium, Flax, Hibiscus and Violets.

Buy some pots and potting soil and you are good to go!

Don’t forget to fly a flag too! And STAND for your flag as it goes by in your parade, no matter how distracted everyone else is.

Have a great fourth of July!