Just posted in the cafe asking about open house invite etiquette. H and I are hosting a wine and cheese open house for D1 and her new H as many of our friend’s were asking about sending gifts since the wedding was out of the country. I don’t want to do a dinner or have a full blown all night party. The invites will definitely say open house and it will start at 4:00pm. Is an ending time of 7:00 ok??? I thought people might see this as a cocktail party and then leave for dinner.
We did a a similar reception for S and DIL a few years ago. We put 4-6. It was too short. 4-7 is perfect.
We catered heavy appetizers, added fruit and cheese plates. Had tiers of baby cupcakes.
Beer and wine, pelligrina. Caterer said to skip tea and coffee for the 2 hours–wish we had served it.
60 plus --all came at once and all left at about the same time. Again, I think it was the short amount of
time listed.
Received very few RSVP’s.
Just my .02. I’ve stopped putting on an ending time for my parties. Just seems that we are going to be there until whenever so I just leave it open. Now I will say that I know the people I’m inviting and know that people know us and won’t come too late. Now from your perspective NM maybe that just doesn’t work for you and you do want the event to end at a “reasonable” time. Me - I figure I’m there so whatever and I do love to see all the people that attend.
Our close friends won’t pay attention to the time. They will stay as long as the wine is flowing. I just wanted people to realize that there would only be finger foods and not a full meal. I will be having charcuterie platters with meats/cheeses/fruits/veggies and seafood. Nothing will be heated. Another area of the house will have a dessert buffet and the lower level will have craft beers and snacks like pretzels with various mustards, bacon wrapped pretzels, nuts, etc.
I have an 8 foot board similar to the one shown here: http://apartment34.com/2015/09/a-delicious-welcome-to-fall-with-aperol/ that will run down the dining room table. I will use tiered trays and lanterns with candles around it. Will be more Rustic/Tuscan than elegant.
I see a bus trip in our future . . .
Oooooh, @college_query – I was just thinking the same thing! You won’t mind a few more people showing up, right @NorthMinnesota? And if the wine keeps flowing …
We’re finally back in Cambridge for the winter. (Yes, most people go south, not north.) The boats are stored, the outdoor furniture covered, the garden cleaned out, etc., etc. A week ago a group of women at my golf club pulled together a fun round of Election Day Golf. So much fun to be out in the FRESH air on a gorgeous fall day. One of the women was getting rid of Halloween leftovers, so many of the holes had candy in the cup.
The engagement photos of D and her fiancé came out really well – shots taken in several places in Boston. Next up: Save the Date cards.
Is anyone else in total denial that Thanksgiving is next week? Which means, of course, that Christmas is not far behind. Looks like neither D or S will be with us, and I’m very tempted to skip the decorating. Guess I’m turning into Scrooge …
CBB…I don’t decorate as much, either. I put up the tree and not much else. We no longer put up outside lights. I think we will decorate more when/if grandkids arrive.
I do decorate just as much if not more than when the kids were home. I just love the holidays and love the look of the house clean and decorated. Just spent a small fortune on new garlands, ornaments, ribbons and some new florals for the stairs and the sliding doors. We’ll see how it all looks once I’m done. Started my cleaning with the hallway and living room both done - walls washed, windows washed, floors cleaned etc. Need to try to do a room during the week but that is tough. Trying real hard to have most if not all the downstairs done prior to Thanksgiving. Hefty idea but would be good to have them done so that I can concentrate on other things. 
I am another one who has scaled back partly due to kids growing up and partly to working. H, S and I are taking a quick trip to spend Christmas with my parents,MIL and other family. D and SIL will go to her in laws. We still plan to put up a tree, but not much else.
I really need to do a deep clean in my kitchen. Can anyone recommend a good cleaning product for wood cabinets and the tile backsplash around the stove? I am never happy with what I use.
While we’re soliciting advice, can anyone recommend a good smoked turkey? Some of the brands I’ve seen are New Braunfels Smokehouse, Nodine’s Smokehouse, Greenberg Smoked Turkey, Nueske’s, Kreuz Market, Burger’s Smokehouse, and Harry & David. Williams-Sonoma has a brand called Willie Bird but it’s a lot more expensive than the others.
Sorry, NM, I am terrible about cleaning and not sure I can offer any help. I find magic eraser does a good job on a lot of surfaces. My kitchen surfaces can get pretty greasy/grimy and 409 usually does a good job of cutting through it.
NM - I’m going to try a solution that was recommended on Pinterest for cleaning. Has baking soda in it. I haven’t tried it yet - kitchen is usually one of the last rooms on my list as cooking for the holidays makes a mess. Take a look. If you don’t see it let me know and I’ll see if I can find it as I think I booked marked it. I would look now but Pinterest is blocked at work. Sigh…
Oh for the tile backsplash I would try Dawn dish soap and really hot water. That usually works for me.
Knock knock. Did someone call for the bus? With baskets of kittens and Tim McGraw?
Hey EddieO!!! Miss you!!!
NM…I know it sounds quaint and old school, but have you tried mineral oil on the wood? IMHO nothing beats it, but I’ve never been able to convince my “swiffer-addicted” maid to use it. I think she thinks I’m from the Stone Age 
Btw, send the bus my way. We can have a toasty, therapeutic dip in the domed pool before dashing through the imminent snow to NMs for cocktails and heavy hors d’ouevres.
Speaking of which, NM, nothing wrong with letting them know on the invite that its “cocktails and heavy hors d’ouevres” – that will tip them off its not a dinner party
Hi, @eddieodessa , How have you been?
college_query, You seem to have already discovered a lot of the smoked turkey companies. Early’s (they have great pokes of sausage) and Honeybakedham also sell smoked turkeys. I bought my turkey yesterday. A 12 pound fresh turkey. Both sons will be home for Thanksgiving.
Had a very nice visit earlier this month to see S2’s new loft and office in Denver. Took day trips to Boulder,Golden, Estes Park, and Rocky Mountain National Park. Happy Thanksgiving!
I read some reviews online and ordered a smoked turkey from Greenberg. I’m also making a beef roast since S doesn’t like turkey and we’re also celebrating his birthday on Thanksgiving. Both kids and their significant others will be here. S will come the day before so he’s helping me cook. D and her bf won’t arrive until very early Thanksgiving morning since she has to work on Wednesday so their flight is that evening.
Your visit to Colorado sounds wonderful, @sevmom!
@kmcmom13 - how is the dome working out? I’m ready to get on the bus!
@sevmom, ShawD has applied for a few positions in Boulder/Denver. No response yet. She’s just starting her interviewing. Lots of enthusiasm from the teaching hospital of Dartmouth’s med school. Too bad it is in the middle of no place.
Good luck to your daughter @shawbridge in finding a great position in nursing . The Denver/Boulder area is a nice area. Lots going on in general , lots of young people around in Denver, and seems to be lots of technology jobs. There is a new Google campus being built in Boulder.