Donna's Entertaining Blog

We're in the home stretch as far as school is concerned. With just a few weeks left in the school year, my kids only have class trips and a few tests to worry about. It will be a pretty quiet finish for both of the girls since they will look forward to going back to the same school in the fall. But for many families it's time for caps and gowns. If you're one of those families with a child graduating this spring, you'll want to plan a party to mark this special milestone in your family. Before you get started, this feature will show you what you need to think about as you plan your child's graduation party.

What mom doesn't love chocolate? Here are photos of cakes submitted by readers that are perfect for your mom or anyone else who is crazy for chocolate!

Chocolate Fudge Ball Cake
Chocolate Strawberry Cake
Checker Board Cake
_{Photo © Melissa Mendes}

Don't we all wish our parties would be easy, breezy? I know that I always do. When I find myself facing a kitchen cluttered with pots and pans in the sink, and utensils and serving dishes spread across my counter, I always wonder where I went wrong. This reader has a suggestion that just may eliminate some of the last minute entertaining chaos in this new, reader submitted party planning tip.

One of my little secret rituals is reading the comic pages on Sunday. This week the strip called "Edge City" was about a mom who was making phone calls since guests hadn't R.S.V.P.'ed to her party. Throughout the strip her tone was highly annoyed. The punch line was when she received a phone call because she had forgotten to R.S.V.P. to an invitation her daughter had received. So whether or not the reasons are understandable, getting an R.S.V.P. has become more difficult than ever. That's why I've gathered together in this one article, all of the commentary and suggestions from readers on how to improve your response rate.

In order to make entertaining a little less stressful, it pays to have a few tricks up your sleeve. For example, who doesn't love being presented with hors d'oeuvres at the start of a party? But as the hostess, it's easy to get caught up in spending hours preparing fussy little bites. That's why I've put together a new gallery of easy hors d'oeuvres that will be simple to prepare, but look just as enticing to your guests. You're welcome.
_{Photo © Donna Pilato}

Happy May Day! During this quintessential month of spring, a few of us celebrate May Day, some cheer on the ponies for the Kentucky Derby, many of us have a fiesta for Cinco de Mayo, but most of us celebrate Mother's Day, since moms have earned a special place in our lives. If you're planning to entertain your Mom this Mother's Day (May 11), or if you're looking to drop a few hints to your family about how you would like to be entertained, these articles will help with your planning.


Mothering Mom on Mother's Day
Best Ways to Entertain Mom on Mother's Day
Top Gifts to Pamper the Entertaining Mom
An Easy Mother's Day Dinner

Good organization is key to planning a successful party. You need to keep track of when to send invitations, buy favors, purchase groceries, decorate, cook, etc. But unless you have a good calendar, it's easy to fall behind on your to-do list and find yourself scrambling at the end. That's why I was interested in reviewing the WeekDate planner and calendar. It promised to offer a new way to keep track of life's regular and special events. This review will explain how these calendars work and why they make sense for anyone who needs to juggle her own and her family's schedules.
_{Photo © WeekDate}

Cinco de Mayo has always been a favorite holiday in our house. There's always something on the menu that's a favorite for someone at the party. Let's face it, most kids love nachos and tacos. And then there are the margaritas... not for the kids, of course. One of the nicest things about hosting a Cinco de Mayo party is that much of the food can be assembled and baked at the last minute, refrigerated, or kept warm in a slow cooker until ready to serve. Cinco de Mayo falls next Monday, so it's not too late to plan a party, even if you had been distracted by other early May celebrations
_{Photo © Donna Pilato}

The nice weather has a way of reacquainting us with our neighbors. After hibernating in my cave and car all winter, I'm now looking for excuses to delay just a few more minutes outside, and in the process I see my neighbors who have been in a similar state of hibernation. And this is why many neighborhoods begin planning their annual block party just around this time. The May issue of Everyday with Rachael Ray has some very clever ideas for planning your annual block party. For example, take a look at the photo on the right. Who can resist plucking a popsicle out of those colorful buckets? It's a much more enticing presentation than serving them in those paper or plastic wrappers out of the box. You'll also find recipes perfect for large summer gatherings such as the Tomato and Orzo Salad which they've allowed us to reprint on this site. So start planning your block party today while the days are still growing longer and warmer.
_{Photo © Everyday with Rachael Ray}

The 134th running of the Kentucky Derby will be held a week from this Saturday, on May 3rd. Since I will be attending a friend's annual party for this event, the only preparations I'll need to make is to purchase a new hat suitable for the style of this race. The rest of our attire is casual, but how can you attend a Kentucky Derby party without a proper hat? There are other Derby traditions such as Mint Juleps (my favorite springtime drink), and bourbon balls (note to self, check if friend wants me to bring them again). But for that extra flair, nothing beats a big hat.