MARTIE PARTY TIP: MAKE AN OUTDOOR PARTY SURVIVAL KIT

Martie Duncan May 18, 2014

Living in the South, we often have the elements to deal with when we take the party outside. I always create a survival kit handy for any outdoor party. I try to include items I think will make guests feel more comfortable, especially when the weather is really hot or humid. Here are my suggestions for a survival kit for your summer parties; these are especially important for late afternoon weddings in the summertime. I’ve seen people actually start to melt in the blazing sun during a late afternoon outdoor wedding ceremony. Your guests will thank you for being so considerate and so smart. (You can thank me later:-)

MARTIE’S OUTDOOR PARTY SURVIVAL KIT SUGGESTIONS

Assemble a variety of items to help keep your guests cool and comfortable when it is hot and humid outside.

I find little baskets or containers to match the party theme and fill them with essentials for summer fun when it is hot outside. Depending on the time of day, you might want to include some of the following:

Sunscreen
Insect Repellant
Band-Aids and a First-Aid Kit
Burn ointment (especially if you are grilling or making S’mores)
Wipes
Paper fans
Aloe Vera or other post sun lotion
Flip flops (especially important if the ground is soft; ladies can exchange their high heels for a more comfortable option)
Mini-flashlights (if the party goes after dark; especially important if there is not a lot of light)
Chilled hand towels (directions below, especially nice if you have a shrimp boil or buttered corn)
Hand-warmer packs (for cold weather, available at sport goods or camping supply stores)
Chapstick (for cold weather parties; let guests take one home as a party favor)

CHILLED HAND TOWELS

That’s me above, on the set of Food Network Star with a tip for outdoor entertaining… I suggested providing a bowl of ice with rolled paper towels or paper hand towels so guests can freshen up. I like to put cucumber or lemon in the ice; makes the towels smell so fresh. These are a great idea if it is really hot, if you plan on playing games outside or you are serving something like corn on the cob with lots of butter!

ANT AND BEE STINGS

Ants and bees always show up for the party when there is food. One important thing to consider when you have an outdoor party or event is the possibility of guests with bee allergies. I’ve seen people go into extreme shock after a bee sting so I’m acutely aware of the need to have a Bee Sting kit handy and to recognize the symptoms. You can find bee sting kits at most drug stores but some require a prescription from a doctor. Benadryl can help with some symptoms but often, the victim’s throat will swell closed and prevent them from swallowing a tablet. Have the number for the National Poison Control Center handy just in case you need it. 1-800-222-1222. Call 911 immediately if you notice hives, swelling, inability to breathe, dizziness or other symptoms after a bee or ant sting.

This is probably just the former cop in me or maybe all those years in the Girl Scouts but I like to be prepared for any situation if I’m hosting a party or event… just in case!

PARTY THEMES: FARM STYLE BACKYARD BBQ

Martie Duncan May 14, 2014

Need an idea for a big birthday party or something unique for a rehearsal dinner? With popularity of weekend farms and trips to the farmer’s market, enjoy all that summer has to offer by transforming your typical backyard BBQ. Add farm fresh produce, some bales of hay and your party will take on a whole new feel. Get your grill on this weekend and invite your gang over for backyard barbeque—farm style!

Martie's Beer Can Chicken

Spiked Lemonade Signature Cocktail

The Easy Way to Make Grilled Corn for a Crowd

Farm Style Backyard BBQ

Can't Wait to Make a Plate!

Grilled Pineapple and Grilled Caprese Skewers

Grilled Peach Pound Cake Parfait

DECORATIONS

The beauty of a casual barbeque in the backyard is the word casual. You don’t need much more than baskets of fruit or vegetables, a few bales of hay and maybe flowers from the yard for decorations. Instead of setting up a table, I used the back of an old farm truck for our buffet. A picnic blanket, quilt, or burlap can be used for a tablecloth—design your color palette around that. I’m all about trying to use what you have in a new and different way. Drape some holiday lights in the trees or bring your candles outdoors and display them on a wooden or metal tray to add some style to your party decorations. Bales of hay are available at a nursery or from your local landscape company. Throw them around the yard—they add atmosphere and can be used as extra seating, too. Provide colorful bandanas to use as napkins. Galvanized tin tubs are inexpensive and can be used for other household chores (like washing the dog) after the party is over!

Make sure to have a backyard survival kit for guests complete with bug spray, sunscreen, fans, and wipes. Make up a refreshing station: put hand towels in an ice bath so guests can freshen up and cool off if the party is on a hot day. Here’s a link to my article on what to include when you are hosting a party outdoors.

PARTY FOOD

Change up your normal BBQ menu by adding lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, like my famous grilled sweet corn, grilled peaches, and bruschetta skewers with homegrown tomatoes. Remember, the key to great grilling is to use fresh ingredients, have the right tools and plenty of patience. Make sure to let your grill or charcoal come to the right temperature before adding your food. Don’t turn items too soon or too frequently; allow enough time to get that char and those prized grill marks! Here are my recipes for a farm stand BBQ:

BBQ RIB RUB

MOM’S BBQ SAUCE

TRADITIONAL ALABAMA STYLE BBQ RIBS

HOMEMADE QUICK PICKLES

POTATO SALAD

BEVERAGES

I am a big fan of the signature cocktail. Mix them in advance and guests can serve themselves with ease. It is also easier to estimate quantities so you control costs better than you can with an open bar. For this party, I made a lemonade station with regular lemonade for the kids and a ‘loaded’ version spiked with bourbon for the adults. Since it was a hot day, I also iced down lots of beer and lots of bottled water in a galvanized tin tub.

ENTERTAINMENT

Since this party was actually at a farm, we fished, rode the tractor, and played games until everyone was exhausted. We did get up a quickie game of whiffle ball—that plastic baseball game we used to play as kids. I could almost hear my mom calling me in for dinner as it began to get dark— it really took me back. Some other ideas are badminton, croquet, and horseshoes.

You can host this ‘down on the farm’ backyard barbeque anywhere. You don’t even have to have a backyard or an outdoor space to create a casual mood. How rustic you want to go is up to you. You may not want to drag bales of hay into your high rise apartment, but by using some of the ideas I’ve shared and adding some country music to your party playlist, you’ll create a laid-back atmosphere— even if you have to grill it up inside

SUMMER FUN: HOW TO MAKE A S’MORES BAR!

Martie Duncan May 14, 2014

Want to add a little DIY fun to any outdoor party or just make some memories on a summer night? Build a S’mores bar! It’s really easy to create some old school fun… and who doesn’t love S’mores?

S'mores Bar design for a large party or wedding

S'mores Bar for a large party or wedding

First question: what kind of party are you having? Casual? Elegant? Don’t worry. You can create a S’mores bar with unique ingredients to suit the style and theme of your party. Use containers and vessels to suit the decor and mood of your event. Since this one was very rustic, we used wood, tin and burlap to decorate the table and display all of the toppings.

Make a S'mores bar for your weekend get-togethers!

Add different toppings to your S'mores Bar

I like to make the marshmallows easy to reach so I create a little “sculpture” with them. For roasting, use something you can put into the fire— wooden skewers work well, but only if you soak them in water for at least 30 minutes first so they don’t burn up. Since you are using skewers or pointed objects, make sure you have adult supervision when you have children on the guest list.

Select ingredients that will suit your menu. Traditional s’mores ingredients include: Hershey bars, graham crackers, and Jet-puffed marshmallows. New twists include: Nutella chocolate hazlenut spread, sliced bananas, sliced strawberries, raspberries, coconut toasted marshmallows or peanut butter. Add different types of cookies: Biscoff, Almond Thins, and ginger snaps are all good choices but any flat cookie will work.

Now, simply toast up your marshmallows to the desired degree of doneness. I don’t like mine too burnt, but I know some of you do. Spread Nutella on your cookie. Layer sliced strawberries or raspberries. Add your toasted marshmallows and top with another cookie spread with Nutella. Your guests will love this variation on a campout classic!