OUTDOOR ENTERTAINING: The Deck

THE DECK

The wooden deck

Cluttered with chairs

Patiently waits to please.

       Citronella candles

       Methodically placed

       Gracefully catch the night breeze.

Several boards squeak

Breaking the silence

Footsteps enter the space

       It isn’t so quiet anymore

       As everyone takes their place.

Men, women

Young and old

A good time with friends

As stories unfold.

       The deck feels alive

       As it begins to thrive

       Excited oh so much

       To have human touch.

So we watch the sun set over the horizon down below

Can’t think of another place we'd rather go

       A gathering of great friends mingling under the stars

       Much more enjoyable than sitting at the bar.

                                                    sms 2011

PERFECT PARTY PUNCH

• 1 quart (can) pineapple juice
• 1 liter 7-up soda pop
• 1 liter Hawaiian Punch
  
• 1 pint vanilla ice cream
  
• Pineapple or strawberry slices
• Ice cubes

Alcohol if desired: Rum, Vodka or even a fruit flavored Schnapps works well.

In large punch bowl, mix first three liquid ingredients together. Slowly stir in ice cream. Add alcohol if desired. Garnish with pineapple or strawberry slices. Add ice to punch if desired or pour punch over glasses of ice. Enjoy!

EASY SHRIMP KABOBS

• 3 T. olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic-crushed
• 1/2 C. dry bread crumbs
• 1/2 t. seafood seasoning
• 32 uncooked medium shrimp (about 1 pound), peeled and deveined
• Seafood cocktail sauce

In a shallow bowl, combine the oil and garlic. Let stand for 30 minutes. In another shallow bowl, combine bread crumbs and seafood seasoning. Dip shrimp in oil mixture, then coat with crumb mixture.

Thread onto skewers. Grill kabob, covered over medium heat, for 2-3 minutes or until shrimp turn pink. Serve with seafood cocktail sauce.

MAKE YOUR OWN CITRONELLA CANDLES

Keep The Bugs Away At Your Next Outdoor Evening Party

• Terra-cotta pots
• Candle wax (great to use old wax scraps)
• Candle wick
• Pure Citronella essential oil (NOT citronella burning oil which is flammable)

Click here for Basic Candle Making Instructions

Melt your wax as normal. Thread the wick through the top of the flower pot and out through the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot. Secure the hole with a strong tape (duct tape).

Just before you are ready to pour the candle wax, add 10-12 drops of pure citronella essential oil.

Fill pot. Use sticks or skewers across the top of the pot to help keep the wick centered. Allow candle to cool in a safe place.

Be careful that you do not purchase citronella burning oil. This is flammable oil used for lanterns only. Use essential oil that comes is small bottles yet is more expensive than lantern oil.

The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart.  ~Elisabeth Foley