It's an attitude

Relax, you can do it! It seemed like a great idea when you casually mentioned, "come on over for a little bite to eat", but then the reality set in. Pulling off a memorable, relaxed evening with friends and family, dining on the beach, under the stars, is all in your attitude. A few long tables, mismatched chairs, tablecloths, napkins, some votive candles, house plants, and colored glassware, will set the stage for your perfect evening. Here are a few of my favorite tips:

Last minute get togethers are the best, especially if your location is weather dependent.

Casually invite your friends when you know the climate will only enhance your gathering.

Insist that everyone come as they wish; leaving open the idea that they can dress up or dress down, depending on their personal preference.

Make sure you have enough votive lighting on the table, because eating in the dark can be very frustrating. Battery operated candles on the table are my favorite, especially outdoors, because they don't blow out, and quite frankly, they look so realistic, no-one will even notice.

Mismatched chairs will make everyone feel at home. If you don't have enough napkins in the same pattern, that's OK.

Mixing up tablecloths and napkins, will also put your guests at ease.

Provide either handled gift bags (preferably heavier weight to fend off dampness) or straw handled baskets or your guests that would like to remove their shoes. Nothing worse than hunting down your favorite pair of shoes at the end of the evening, only to be nagged by the remaining grains of sand that you didn't shake out. Good wine, a few pitchers of your favorite mixed drink, sparkling water and lots ice.

Finally, I love to serve passable, finger friendly, homemade desserts in individual servings that nearly everyone will enjoy!

Enjoy these favorite, delectable, passable sugar cookies your guests are sure to remember

MARVELOUS "MELTAWAYS"

1 1/2 c. walnuts, very finely chopped

1/4 c. white sugar

Pinch kosher salt

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 c. unsalted butter, chopped and softened

1 c. powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350°. Line a large cookie sheet with parchment. In a large bowl, mix flour, walnuts, granulated sugar, salt, and vanilla. Add softened butter. Combine everything with your hands until mixture resembles coarse meal. Form dough into small balls and place on prepared cookie sheet. Bake 15 minutes. When they’re still warm but cool enough to touch, roll cookies in powdered sugar. Set aside on a rack to cool completely. When cool, dust again in powdered sugar.

wine suggestions

These recommended wines have all received very high ratings from wine connoisseurs around the world and are provided to simplify your selection next time you are looking for the perfect wine to serve with the provided recipe. Enjoy!

Shaw & Smith Sauvignon Blanc, AUSTRALIA $24.99

Consistently a top selling Sauvignon Blanc, this award winning wine is actually produced by two cousins, Michael Shaw and Martin Smith in the Adelaide Hills.

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