The Organized Life, Keeping the “E”s in Entertaining this Summer

the Painted Apron

8 years ago

Entertaining has 2 “E”s….

To make sure they stand for Effortless and Easy, not Effort and Exhausting, while you’re entertaining this summer,

Try simplifying things with these recipes and ideas

I have to hide/store things in plain sight at the beach house due to limited space, so I like to make a centerpiece on my island that serves double duty

Not only does it look fresh and bright, it holds fresh produce and dishware handy for serve yourself meals

For Memorial Day, a runner fashioned out of star place mats was topped with a “boatload” of paper plates and napkins

I added red white and blue serving pieces and corn holders

Everything within easy reach for grabbing

Memorial Day weekend was the first test of our new rules

These were not well received at first…

“What???” 😱

“Mom, aren’t you being a bit anal?” 😳

“Let’s just give it a try….” 😎

I put some reminders around

I set up a beverage station next to the refrigerator and glass cabinet

I found this Ahoy tray at HomeGoods and used tiles to designate everyone’s spot, except for HH & I, we are the “proprietors” after all… I did put my water tumbler on the tray at night when it was wine time 🍷

The kiddos all got new insulated cups in different designs and styles according to their age and likes

They did a great job putting their cup back on their tiles when finished, much better than the adults!

Another reminder hung on the glass cabinet

Not only did this reduce household and counter clutter by 100%, it cut running the dishwasher down from 3 x a day to 1 👏

I made a flip flop basket for corralling shoes and sand, a suggestion from Scribbler Unfocused, thanks Ellen!

The basket {Home Goods} was already painted dark blue around the top, and I added wooden flip flops {Hobby Lobby} which I jazzed up a little with paint

Everything I made was a 5 Minute Prep recipe

Even chips and dip presented in a festive manner, look exciting

Add a garnish and it’s party ready

Provide a spoon with a bowl of dip so people can put some on their plate along with some dippers and not hover around the dip bowl

This 5 minute recipe was adapted from Dessert Now, Dinner Later

Cheesy Ranch Bacon Dip

Ingredients

4-6 slices cooked bacon
1 cup mayonnaise {Duke’s}
1 cup sour cream
1 pkg Hidden Valley Ranch dry dip mix or 1 pkg Hidden Valley Ranch dry salad dressing mix
4 oz grated cheddar cheese
3-4 green onions, optional sliced, reserve some for garnishing

Instructions

Crumble bacon, reserving some for topping. Mix everything together and refrigerate until serving. Garnish with reserved bacon and green onions. Serve with sturdy chips, crackers and crudities

Notes

*cook bacon 1-2 days ahead on a parchment paper lined baking sheet at 350 for 15-25 minutes until cooked through. Drain well and refrigerate until needed

Sunday Breakfast was Bacon Biscuit Bake from Pillsbury. I used the rest of the bacon I had cooked several days before for the Cheesy Ranch Bacon & Onion Dip, cut up the biscuits, added grated cheese and tossed it all with a milk/egg mixture.

Breakfast was ready in 20 minutes and it was easy to grab a nibble or two or have a plate full

It’s good the next day too if you are lucky enough to have some leftover

Bacon Biscuit Bake

Course Bread, Breakfast, Brunch

Cuisine American, Southern

Keyword bacon, bacon biscuits, biscuits, breakfast casserole, easy breakfast

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 20

Ingredients

8-10 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
1 can large biscuits like Pillsbury Grands
4 oz. grated cheddar cheese
1 egg
2 T milk

Instructions

Cut biscuits into 1/6s.
Place in a greased baking dish, like a 10 x 10. Sprinkle with bacon and cheese.
Beat egg with milk and pour over biscuits.
Toss biscuits to distribute ingredients and spread out in an even layer. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until biscuits are golden and done in the center. Serve immediately or at room temperature

We also had these 5 Minute Prep recipes

Southern Sour Cream Cornbread accompanied grilled chicken fajitas with roasted peppers, onions and guacamole