How to Throw a Great Party

 

Image by Mark Bridge

With the Super Bowl this weekend and the Oscars® a month away, now is the time to start planning your festivities. Throwing a party is an art and for some it comes naturally, but for the rest of us, a little more guidance is needed.

There are many great tips and ideas to make your party memorable and fun for your guests.  First of all, have fun with your guest list and don’t be afraid to invite a mix of people to your shindig. Having new and old friends meet with diverse backgrounds can bring a new and refreshing aspect to your party. Give your guests something do to—take some of the pressure off you. 

Help your guests break the ice and set the right mood with some fun music. Grooveshark, Pandora and Spotify are some of our favorites where you can build your own playlists with a mix of free music. 

Finger foods and buffets are always a hit at parties. Create an informal taco bar where guests can build their own. Crescent Pepperoni Rolls Ups are another super easy, delicious food to add to your ménage along with a s’mores bar.

Remember to get out of the kitchen and socialize! Just because you are the host that doesn’t mean you can’t have a good time.

Pruning 101

Image by comprock

It is tempting to want to get a head start on your gardening especially on the warmer days of winter. Your gardener side is itching to come out and you are eager to start pruning your trees and shrubs. For all you eager choppers, hold off your pruning until after the coldest part of winter has past, but before the hearty spring growth starts for the best results.

When pruning remember to cut at an angle that mirrors the branch collar and to cut large branches in three parts. 

It is also important to be smart about pruning and know when to bring in a professional. Call a pro when you can’t make a cut from the ground with pole pruners, if any of the work in near power lines and storm damage repair.