Big excitement here when Kathryn Stockett, author of the Help, was the highlighted guest at the annual Library Ball. Following a month of city-wide events that utilized the book to enlighten and entertain, Kathryn arrived for the final week-end of activities and the big party. As a natural fit with the theme, a selection of aprons and storytellers from APRON CHRONICLES was displayed at the Ball.
Also as a natural fit to the very dressy occasion was my bunny stole.
A most elegant gift from my parents on my 18th birthday, I adored wearing my little white stole to the winter debutante parties of my friends. That was a long time ago, and life thereafter presented zero occasions for donning such a pouf, and until two weeks ago, it was packed away in the cedar chest.
I adored wearing “bunny” all these years later, especially with my favorite date of 40 years.
The winner of the 3rd Tie One On Day Fabulous Giveaway will be announced this Wednesday, November 20th. Sponsors and their generous giveaways this go-round include Heavenly Hostess, 5 green boxes, CK Media (SewNews & Creative Machine Embroidery), Andrews McMeel Publishing, Colonial Patterns, Susan Marks (Finding Betty Crocker), Simplicity and MyMemories. Sponsors provide their products because they believe in the power of acts of kindness, which is at the heart of Tie One On Day.
You need only enter once to be eligible for the Wednesday giveaways. To enter and learn more about Tie One On Day, click HERE.
The 1950s was the hey-day of aprons and entertaining, and history is repeating with today’s interest in tying one one (that apron, of course!) and having guests to our homes.
For this gathering of 12, this smart hostess is offering a variety of attractively displayed hors d’oeuvres, to encourage eating along with the drinking.
Budget-minded, her party menu includes a tossed salad, vegetables and dip, pickles, petite sandwiches with sliced olives as the topper décor, a gelatin salad, mints and cookies. Should no one disturb the centerpiece, the fruit will be cleaned out in the next week’s school lunch bags.
As to the likelihood of leftovers, the woman in black would never be the only female watching her figure. Cutting her appetite with a cigarette and dining on a delicately-selected mint, her husband will graze for two and fill up!
It’s not only my old bunny stole that’s new again. Vintage recipes of decades past are reappearing. For holiday entertaining, this dip is a pleaser.
Deviled Crab ‘n Spinach from Household magazine, November_1958
1 package (10 oz) frozen chopped spinach
salt and pepper
2 cans (6 oz each) crab meat, drained
3 Tbs mayonnaise
2 Tbs catsup
1 Tbs chili sauce
1 1/2 t prepared horseradish
1 t lemon juice
1/4 t salt
1 Tbs butter
fine dry breadcrumbs
Cook spinach as directed on the package; drain and season to taste with salt and pepper. Spoon spinach into 6 to 8 buttered individual shells or into a baking dish. Flake crab meat, removing any bone or membrane. Combine crab meat with mayonnaise, catsup, chili sauce, horseradish, lemon juice and 1/4 t salt. Spoon mixture over spinach. Dot the top(s) with butter and sprinkle with bread crumbs. Heat in hot oven (400 degrees) for about 10 minutes. Garnish with pimiento stars, if desired. Serves 6-8.
There’s still time to tie one on (…..!) and give from the heart!
xx EllynAnne