As many of you may know, looking for work is a pain in the ass. It’s expensive. It’s frustrating. It’s a lot of waiting around while someone else judges your skill set and value. Fun, right? Well, I find that it can be a happier time with friends and family around.

In “Hosting With Style – Beretta Fleur’s Guide to Parties and Homemaking”, I wrote a chapter called Gracious Hospitality, and I’ve been living it for the past month. Here in West Palm, Florida, my sister’s family and my husband and I have been co-habitating under one roof. Husband and I help out with cleaning, organizing, grocery shopping, and childcare while they give us a roof over our heads while we’re looking for ideal jobs and a home in the area. It’s working out really great! Here’s how I’ve been helping to make our Family Compound feel like a functional home for the past month.

My new role as Faithful Houseboy, Agador Spartacus.

1) ABC: Always Be Cleaning. Except for when I’m working or relaxing with the family for a few hours, I’m doing what I call Spot Cleaning. A 3 bedroom/ 2 bath pool home shared by 4 adults, 2 kids, and 3 pets doesn’t keep itself even mildly organized, so I circulate from room to room every few hours, doing little tasks that make everyone’s life easier. This can mean, while en route to the shower, picking up a fresh stack of towels from the laundry room, or unloading the dishwasher (a task I loathe, by the way) so that my coffee mug doesn’t start a cavalcade of dirty dishes into the sink.

If you work during the week and don’t have the luxury of being your hosts’ Faithful Houseboy, do your hosts a favor and either set aside a half day or a couple evenings to play Cleaning Catch Up.

2) Keep Busy With OPB: Other People’s Busywork. Time stands still for one man or woman only, and that is the man or woman who is sitting on the couch waiting for a second interview phone call.  If that’s you, then Gracious Hospitality can work in your favor. Your job, besides looking for a job, is now Errand Boy. Take the car (or your own) and go to the grocery store. Wash the car. Pick up the dry cleaning. Return stuff to Target. Get the mail. Do some hand mending, drop off junk at Goodwill, take the cat to get spayed, take the pool water to get tested. Do the things for your hosts that you never had time to do for yourself when you had a job.

3) To My Piglet, Love Aunty Alby. In France or Manhattan, you’d be an expensive Au Pair instead of Intrusive Relative Kicking the Youngest Child to the Couch. So cheer up and know your worth as a provider of free child care. Shuttle them to and/or from school, make lunches, make them snacks, and play with them. Help them do homework or clean their rooms. Teach them to swim or ride a bike. Sit for them to give your hosts a night off.  Trust me, you’re useful, because it takes a village to raise a child.

Just make sure you wear a bathrobe and remember to lock doors, so you don’t traumatize them with your Creepy Adult Nudity.

She works hard for the money.

4) You CAN Cook, Right? Grocery shopping for several people can climb into the hundreds per week. I like to save money by buying in bulk, so every week or so Husband and I pop off to Costco for a bunch of ground turkey, chicken, and veggies. Then I spend a few days a week cooking some simple meals that please everyone and make yummy leftovers. A household favorite here is Turkey Meatballs, various pastas, cheese, and steamed veggies. We set it up like a buffet and everyone makes it how he or she likes it. I prefer meatballs over veggies with red sauce, while my niece only eats plain spaghetti with butter and cheese.

Another thing we like to do is grilling out. Just buy some bulk foods of choice, marinate for an hour, and grill. It feels like a party, even on a weekday. I’m badgering my brother in law for his killer London Broil technique.

If you can’t cook, spring for a pizza once a week for the family, or buy groceries that are ready to eat and easy to prepare. Mac N’ Cheese is a general crowd pleaser, and it’s a couple bucks. (If you wanna get fancy, mix it with a can of albacore tuna fish and steamed sweet peas.)

But you should really learn to cook a few things. Browse my recipes for everything from gluten-free vegan to steak. More Family Compound recipes are on their way in the coming days!

WAIT!!! THERE’S SHREEEMPS! – Courtesy of maggiebarron.blogspot.com

A few months ago, one of my close friends, Kimpossible  of the blog  Sun and Stars posted about hosting a Spa Makeover- Themed teenager party. Now, I know some brave people, but I feel like it takes a special kind of person willing to open their home to a gaggle of 13 year old gals. After reading her blog post about the successful, fun-looking party, my Hostess Brain scrambled with the logistics behind undertaking such a project. I asked Kim some questions about the planning process.

Spa Socks! by Kimpossible

1. Did you have a guest limit?

No. The birthday girl was allowed to make her invite list and was encouraged not to leave any classmates out to avoid making anyone feel secluded. Her list ended up with 27 girls on it, so we ordered 30 invitations. But then she remembered a few more people so we scanned one of the invitations and sent a few more out by email. My only fear was we’d have 36 teens in my apartment. “Only” 14 turned out.

2. What was the process regarding choosing to host the party at home instead of having it elsewhere? 

We chose to host at home for 2 reasons: cost and time of year. We knew we could entertain the crowd at home with enough activities, keep the food costs much cheaper, and since it’s been colder than usual, we didn’t want to try to find a place away from home to hold the party.

Pom Poms by Kimpossible

3. What were the thoughts on making it co-ed versus same sex?

She knew from day one she wanted a spa/fashion themed party so “no boys” was a no-brainer.

4. Every parent of a teen should be so lucky!! Did you have a hard time figuring out age-appropriate activities?

With the spa/fashion theme, and knowing it would be a group of 12-14 year olds, we assumed makeup/hair/nails and pizza would give everyone a variety of things to do. If one girl wasn’t “into it” at first, in no time the others rallied into makeover mode and everyone got gussied up in some way or another.

Whee! Party girls by Kimpossible

5. How active was your daughter in the actual planning process?

She pretty much called the shots on the whole thing!  She started out with a few party theme ideas and sent me links to sites that had game ideas, party favors, color schemes and decorations she liked. Then I asked her to give me a list of things she wanted to do, snacks she wanted, etc.

6. How many other adults were there and what did they do during the party? (Was it like planning 2 parties in one?) 

The only other adults were her dad, her grandma, and a family friend and her daughter (17). They hung out in the “parent area” mainly because the rest of the house was destroyed in under an hour and it was the only clutter-free place left. The adults had no additional activities per se, we just watched the girls as they did all the various things and chattered and screamed and played who’s drama is more outrageous.

Cupcakes by Kimpossible

7. What was the clean-up and recovery like?

Clean up was a chore but since 3 of the girls were supposed to be staying over, we made it a “rule” that they had to pick up the entire living room before the slumber party could be agreed to.

8. Do you think you would host the same kind of party again or do you feel that future teenage years require something different?

Haha… Probably not!  I think that a similar party 2 years in a row would not be her choice anyway. Who knows what she’ll be into at 14.  Hopefully we’ll have some new ideas by the time the next birthday rolls around.

I love Spring… it just feels like a new opportunity to get into warm weather party mode.

Our garden wedding – photo by Barbara B.

In honor of the year turning toward the warmer months, I’ve compiled a few Pinterest Boards of spring holiday decorating and menu ideas for Passover, Equinox, and Easter festivities, or that will work for a festive brunch, intimate wedding, baby shower, tea, or bridal shower.

I’ve also included a few of my own ideas and recipes too!

Enjoy!

Pinterest Boards:

Spring Holidays  - Board of Menu Ideas

Cocktail Ideas, Fall and Spring

More Party Treats (All Seasons)

from our wedding, photo by jillian hughes

Event Decor Ideas:

Event and Party Decor (Pinterest Board)

DIY Mason Jar Light Tutorial (My Tutorial on Offbeat Bride)

Holiday Yarn Wreath Tutorial

lemon-mint cherry bomb

My recipes:

Sage Cornish Game Hen and Stock

Lemon Mint Cherry Bomb

Honeyed Figs or Rachel’s Seder Macaroons (Hosting With Style Book Only)

Low Carb Crustless Quiche

Gluten Free Quiche

Curried Egg or Vegan Potato Salad Recipe (Featured on A Slob Comes Clean)

All ingredients except possibly the fish sauce are reportedly gluten-free. If you use a store-bought rotisserie chicken(optional), make sure that it is gluten-free as well if that is a concern for you. Enjoy!

Lovely Mrs. Right by ShotgunPinups.com

Paula Hahn’s Spaghetti Squash Pad Thai

Kimpossible’s Indoor Cardio

We’re not all able to afford a gym membership, we don’t all live in a climate or area ideal for outdoor workouts, or our schedules include minding little ones or minimal spare time.  This post features some at-home workouts, supplied by my dear friend and favorite workout buddy Kimpossible. Some links for cheap equipment (not necessary, but nice to have) are at the end of the post.

Kimpossible!

“Stretching at least 5 minutes before and 10 minutes after is ideal. As always, check with your doctor to make sure you’re able to safely do these moves, and stop if you feel dizzy or have sudden pain. I find a good pair of sneakers and a sports bra are ideal for the standing moves which require jumping. Music also makes it better.

While a basic Yoga mat is not too expensive (under $10 and up), you can also use a beach towel or folded sheet to create a buffer between you and your rug or hard flooring for the floor moves.This whole list, if done twice thru will be about 15 minutes.I try to find a number in my head to count to (seems less agonizing than doing a full minute or 2 at a time…) start with 30 maybe. I would do all of these in a row and then start over. If you want to add time, do it a 3rd time, or pick a higher number. If you want to add hand or ankle weights to challenge yourself more, great.

Try not to rest in between sets…or if it’s a combo arm & legs move, just do one or the other if you get too winded. Just try to keep moving so your heart rate stays up. When I’m about to cave, I always switch back to the high knees one…it’s like my ‘rest’ move!”

-Kimpossible

STANDING MOVES (Count 30 each)

Pretend Jump Rope. You can jump straight up and down, or just a bit side to side, which ever is comfortable. Use your arms as if you really have a rope and you’ll jump higher. It’s weird but it also keeps you from getting tired or bored as fast. Or, if you have a real jump rope, even better!

High Knees. Like spastic marching; get your knees as high as you can. If you want to add more calorie burn, add arms up and down like throwing a ball over your head.

Jump and Twist. Similar to jump rope with arms out, twist at the waist.

Pretend Skiing. Jump/lunge to the left and swing arms left across your body, then jump back, swinging arms across to the right (like you are a speed ice skater).

Sumo Punches. Get in a squat position, feet wide apart. Lower down as much as is comfortable. Punch left and right, twisting into the punch at the waist and alternating arms. You can do this without the squat part, but by squatting you burn a lot more and tone legs.

Jumping Jacks. Just like Mom used to do! Make sure you get your arms up high.

Sumo Windmills. Same posture as sumo punches, swinging arms in alternating big circles, forward one set then backward one set.

Jumping Lunges. Start in a lunge position, one foot out in front, back leg bent, knee as close to the ground as is comfortable. In one move, jump up and switch feet. You’ll probably lose your balance at first, but they get easier!

FLOOR MOVES

Opposite arm/leg reaches: On hands and knees, stretch out left arm out in front of you, and at the same time, right leg. Count 3 seconds, then switch.

Mountain climbers: Hands on the ground in front of you, one foot back, one forward. alternate jumping feet forward and back.Here’s a video by Livestrong.com to explain it better…

Up and Down Planks: Get in a half push up position on hands and knees (arms extended, knees bent). from up-right position on hands, drop down one arm at a time to elbows, keeping torso off the ground. go back up to hands. alternate up and down. this one works your back, arms, and abs too. One down and back up is one count.

EQUIPMENT FOR UNDER $50

Pink Hibiscus Yoga Mat $10 - WalMart

Go Fit Speed Jump Rope $10 - Dick’s Sporting Goods

Ankle weights – 10 pound ones for $14  or 5 pounders for $12 – Both by Gold’s Gym, available at WalMart

Hand weights – Various from $3 – $14, at WalMart

C9 by Champion Racer Sports Bra – from $8 and up – at Target

New Balance has a wide range of general athletics sneakers for women for under $50, but not many for men. Various brands of footwear in various price ranges for men and women are listed here.  Also here.  And here.

If you want manmade material sneakers, check out these Saucony Jazz Low Pros for guys or these Bullets by Saucony for gals. I have some hot pink man made material Pumas, but I don’t see anything comparable for under $50 on their site right now.

The topic is a little more somber than what I usually approach, but a good thing to dialogue about in every household. Have a look, and be sure to read the comments, some good stuff in there.

This article is dedicated to Grammy W., who I love and miss. Thank you for your memories, and thank you for including me in your family and life. <3

Hosting With Style – Beretta Fleur’s Guide to Parties and Homemaking is an 83 page illustrated and photo-illustrated pages of swanky tips on hosting and parties! It also includes recipes for everyone from the carnivore to the gluten-free vegan. (If you’re curious to see some images from the book, they’re viewable on my Facebook Page or on ShotgunPinups.com )

Hardcover Coffee Table Edition- SALE PRICE $39.95 (was $47) plus S & H Click here to preview & buy!

Paperback Edition – $27 plus S&H Click here to preview & buy! 

Author: Beretta Fleur Photos: Morris Skupinsky and Shotgun Pinups www.shotgunpinups.com

Full color, features illustrations and photos. 83 pages.

2 Egg whites

1/2 pound each of ground turkey and ground beef (or you can use lamb or bison if you’re so inclined.)

1 tsp minced garlic

1 tsp ea dried or fresh minced oregano, basil and rosemary

2 Tbsp fresh grated parmesan

3-4 Tbsp canola oil for frying

Combine all ingredients except oil in a bowl and mix by hand.  Roll into balls.

Heat oil in heavy pan until a drop of water sizzles on contact.

Cook in batches in canola oil in cast iron skillet, gently turning w flat tongs until browned well on all sides. Since there are no breadcrumbs, these meatballs are a bit less sturdy than ordinary ones, so wiggle gently before turning to make sure they’re ready to turn. Place them on a paper towel or piece of parchment paper to drain.

Serve with red sauce, grated parmesan and mozzarella cheese over 1 C steamed cauliflower or broccoli. They’re also good plain. They freeze well in sealed bag or container. Reheat in the broiler, toaster oven, or microwave.

I can say that, while this gal loves her gluten free pizza, bread, cereal, and pasta, and I will never forsake these completely, the lower-carb diet is making me feel great! So I’m going to be sharing some high in protein recipes with you over the next few months.

Here’s my go-to breakfast for when I’m sick of scrambled or poached eggs. It bakes up quickly, and I can eat it for a few days.  Enjoy!

Gluten-Free Crustless Quiche

Low Carb Crustless Quiche

4 eggs or egg whites. I like to do 3 egg whites and 1 whole egg for color and flavor. Up to you!

2 dashes paprika (for color)

1 tsp minced garlic

Coarse ground pepper to taste

2 Tbsp heavy cream

1 wedge Laughing Cow Light swiss cheese OR 2 Tbsp goat cheese (less saturated fats in goat)

1 1/2 tsp ea dried basil, sage and rosemary

1/4 yellow onion, minced (These have the most carbs in the recipe, so you can eliminate them or trade them for another protein such as turkey or real bacon, if you want less carbs)

1 C frozen spinach, thawed

2 Tbsp grated parmesan cheese OR 1 slice cheddar cheese, cut into about 8 squares.

1/2 Tbsp Canola oil or canola oil non stick spray

1/2 tsp butter, margarine, or vegetable spread (for cooking onions)

Preheat oven to 375. In small, hot sauté pan, cook onions in butter (or bacon by itself) until browned.  Add in spinach and cook for another 2-3 minutes.

Beat eggs and spices in bowl with heavy cream until blended. Add in the goat or swiss cheese and stir until mixed well. Grease heavy cast iron skillet or oven-proof pan, and dump in spinach and onions (or bacon, crumbled). Pour in egg mixture  and top with grated parmesan or squares of cheddar.

Bake, uncovered, for about 30 minutes, or until edges are lightly browned and center is set. Serves 6.