Though your love has no price tag, here are a few tokens I found that express it, costing  just a couple of bucks!

FOR HER: These are Mini-Roses Growing Kits for $1.00 at Target right now! Perfect for keeping as stock in my car to pass out amongst friends during these next two weeks, as the count down to Valentine’s Day approaches. They are cute, small and unique… just a little gesture to make for a lasting impression!…

FOR HIM: I Found this “Mounted Chocolate Bass” at The Dollar General! Just right for a “Little Something” for any  Friend with a Fish Fetish … $2.00, Unexpected, Funny and Yummy!… and by Palmer’s Chocolates no less, haha!

A bottle of wine is most certainly a sure fire, ace-in-the-hole, always welcome and appropriate Hostess Gift any day of the week… But, when S.J. greeted us at our door for a Sunday Night “Magazine Test Recipe Dinner” bearing a bouquet of Elephant Ear Palms last August… well, let’s just say the impression has stuck with me even today. (3 months later)… though I must mention she also had a Homemade Pineapple Upside Down Cake in tow, as well…

I was so impressed with the unexpected creativity, yet simplicity of the concept, that it made it even more fun to receive them…I mean, it wasn’t even flowers. Not only was vase-ing this collection of palms a contribution to the ambiance of our dining pleasure. But, thinking about where her inspiration came from brought me great joy as well! That is to say, she was obviously inspired… on our behalf! I can just see her now, walking from the kitchen with a pare of scissors in her hand, saying to herself:

“These palms look so pretty. I think I will cut a few to bring over for dinner tonight with Elena and Palmer for them to enjoy.”

I guess what I am trying to say is that the subtle nature of  her gesture made it that much more transparent the obvious thought S.J. put into anticipating our company that evening… it felt nice.

After all, who doesn’t like knowing they are thought about?! haha

Thanks S.J. I look forward to many more Test recipe Diners in the future!

-Palmer

Blossom came across literally boxes of silver from both her mother and mother-in-law, that had long since been paid attention to. Yes, polishing silver is traditionally a line of subject on one’s intended “To-Do” list.  But over the years, it has become a tradition for my mother and I, as more of a bonding experience: in both making memories and remembering.

With every exquisite piece either inherited or collected comes a story. Where it came from? Who used it? How was it used? …Who’s Birthday, Wedding, Anniversary does it commemorate?

As Blossom groaned at the sight as boxes to tackle, Mom and I jumped right in fishing for what treasure we knew would find. As the silver shined up, and our wine bottle emptied, monograms and engravings revealed themselves to inspire tales of lineage, heritage and loved ones. Before we knew it, Blossom was having so much fun remembering bits of family history, her husband was soon hooked into participating, as well!

As a result, the exercise of wiping away tarnish on these treasured items may not just bring them back to brilliance, but can also lend itself to polishing up memories that may be fading underneath the clutter of today’s “To-Do”.

My soon to arrive nephew, Gray, is due September 22, 2010. In designing the Nursery, we have gone through piles of fabric samples in searching for the right pallet combination. Our favorite?… one that doesn’t work. Our Solution?… this piece of fabric has served for inspiration for almost every element of the traditional preparations.   Take a look:

I saw these serving plates at a small fashion boutique used to display a series of jewelery pieces.

I’ve used glass hurricanes, decorative boxes, and a draped stack of books as the base of serving plates to create depth and variance in height for my table scape at gatherings. But, the eclectic matching of a fine crystal glass and heirloom china dish, struck me as perfect match for serving Homemade Biscuits, Grilled Asparagus, and thinly sliced Roast Beef at Saturday Morning Brunch.

Clever for last minute, or fully thought out parties… These serving pieces add a little extra character and creativity to your memorable event. Just imagine what a Mint Julep Cup would look like as a base?!

If you are nervous about the plate falling over, but don’t want to ruin it with permanent glue, try Scotch Tape’s Removable Double Sided Tape used frequently in decorating for the Holidays.

Enjoy,

-Palmer

I was visiting my friend, Lila, touring her new home in Dallas when I learned this “Gilt-Free” Indulgency.

In conversation over recipes and gardens, Lila shared with me an easy, yet pampering “quick trick”. She advised me to use Fresh Lavender sprigs in the Dryer! She just plucks a sprig (stem an all) from the Lavender Plant potted at her back door by the laundry room, throws it in whole with the damp clean clothes, and lets the Drying Machine do the rest!

I was worried about having to pick off all the little bud pieces after the cycle, but because the Lavender is picked fresh it is playable enough to stay intact.

Oh! Can you just imagine the luxurious aroma brought out by the warm clean clothes hinted with fresh Lavender?! It’s like you are living in a five star hotel!

Thanks for sharing Lila!

Enjoy,

Palmer

In honor of Mosettee’s “Debutante” season, her Godmother threw a cocktail party based off of Mosettee’s theme: The Garden’s of Versailles…Peacocks, Butterflies, Flowers…Decadence!

Though this was a very elegant affair, our hostess shared with me a surprising secret to the source of her decor… THE DOLLAR STORE!!!! All of the Net Butterflies came from said store.

The unexpected application of hanging her decor from the rafters, so to speak, mixed with elegant Silver Candelabras, Champagne, and a Cake that is truly a work of art made the whole affair seem as priceless as Versailles, itself.

It just goes to show, it’s not what you have, but how you use it!

My Sangria and Calamari Party was a slightly short noticed, last-minute affair… and making real and good Sangria from scratch is not typically conducive to such situations. Not to mention having to buy so many ingredients does add up.

One option to the solution is buying pre-made sangria from the grocery store ; however, I find the taste of it alone to be bothersome and lacking. So, I like to use it as a base. By adding both frozen and fresh fruit juices, slices, and wedges along with an extra bottle of a more preferred wine, and served for display fills any voids in flavor, appearance and down right fun.

4 for 2″Lips”~Place your Fresh Flower Arrangement in front of a Mirror!~

So basic, I didn’t even realize what I had done until my mother pointed it out. I bought two beautiful White Tulips to enjoy in my bedroom, and the perfect place just happened on my dresser in front of the mirror. Instantly, my two stems became a bouquet of four!….How far can you stretch your stems?….six for three, or even make a full dozen from a half?! Haha!

Rosemary Bud Vase~Garden Herbs in place of Blossomed Buds!~

Yet, another excuse for an Herb Garden. When surprised with little notice, or no budget to fluff your guests’ quarters, simply step to the bushes and snip a branch! Fresh Herbs work great as they decant the air with their flavorful scents, but even twigs collected or turned leaves, if in the Fall, can also set a thought-filled stage.

Regardless of “how many” or even “what is” on display, it is the simple show of extra effort in your hospitality that your guests will appreciate and will make their stay feel special.

Have Fun!

-Palmer