Summer time

I live in Florida, where the summers are very hot and humid, we live indoors. It is a way of life during this season.

However that does not stop us from entertaining, I love to have friends over.

The planning , starts a week before the party :

1- make the list who are going to be our guest.

We always try to invite people we think they have enough things in common that they will find interest subjects to talk about.

2- pick up the phone to invite our friends. I usually send a written invitations by mail if is a big party.

3- Start thinking in the menu. Do I want a formal party or just a BBQ.

Usually in the summer time, we try to entertain very informal even if is not a BBQ. I leave the formal parties for Fall and Winter.

4- Go through my cookbooks and decided the menu.

I am not a professional chef, but I love to cook and I try very hard to serve a good meal. I love to experiment, so far, I am been lucky enough not to have a disaster on the table. So, usually I look to make something new, every time we have company.

5- Music? Can be some Jazz or if we are having an Italian dinner,we are going to listen Andrea Boccelli, sometime during the night.If we are having a tapas nights the Gypsy Kings will join us.

6-Making a list of the ingredients. Check my pantry if we have part of the ingredients.

7- The day before the party, go to the supermarket, for the ingredient.Clean my house,

Make a desert. Set the table, buy flowers, make the flower arrangement.

8-The day of the party, get into the kitchen 4 hours before the party, prepare the food.

My menu, always has to be food that can be prepare in advance. Just ready to be cook in the oven. I never do anything that I need to use a million pots and pans, I hate to have my kitchen disorganize while I have people over. Plus ,I love to be part of the party, not to be in the kitchen.

I always buy the appetizers, very rarely I will go thought the trouble to make them from scratch, only if is a cocktail party, or a tapas night.

9- Usually we invite at 7 p.m. that gives me enough time to prepare the meal, check all the aspects of the party and make sure that I have time to get dress myself. I don't like to be stressed out and look like I have worked all day in the kitchen and look like a mop.

I want to look fresh and enjoy the evening.

I will keep you all posted for the future gatherings, with menus, tables setting and thoughts for a wonderful evening.