Party Talk: Creating & Connecting at Sunday Brunch

Spring is in the air and that means Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are upon us. Skip the fancy restaurant this year - it’s time for brunch entertaining and connecting with one another in your home. Your table is your stage so let’s bring on the main attraction – Creating Ambience. We will focus on the table top while creating a warm, engaging atmosphere. It’s all about connecting – when people feel comfortable they are relaxed and readily available for easy conversation. (Use these ideas for any brunch you host.)

First, set the table in monochromatic colors such as green and white. It will look elegant in its simplicity. Keep patterns to a minimum. Next, use fresh flowers. Set three low vases of flowers down the middle of the table so you can see and converse over the top of them. Then, space clear votives with non-fragrant candles in between the fresh floral vases. Think about creating an arrangement that expresses your sentiments and make it a topic of conversation.

Here is a guide to the meanings of popular Spring flowers

Tulips - A simple elegant bloom that embodies love and passion
Azaleas - Bright and colorful, azaleas evoke fragility, temperance and passion
Daffodils - Quintessential meaning for rebirth and new beginnings
Daises - Represents purity and gentleness
Lilies - An ancient symbol for Resurrection

Then, create a menu and place on each plate. Type the menu on your computer using script typeface and print on pretty paper. Set hand-written place cards in frames above each plate. Be sure to set chatty guests in key places to keep conversation vibrant.

Now for the music. Smooth jazz is an ideal mood setter.. Jazz artists such as Dave Koz, Kenny G and Luther Vandross will have your guests tapping their toes and swaying
to the tunes.

Here is a delicious brunch feature – Strawberry Spinach Salad, it’s light, flavorful and adds wonderful color to the table.

Strawberry Spinach Salad

INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoons sesame seeds
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon minced onion
10 ounces fresh spinach - rinsed, dried and torn into bite-size pieces
1 quart strawberries - cleaned, hulled and sliced
1/4 cup almonds, blanched and slivered

DIRECTIONS
In a medium bowl, whisk together the sesame seeds, poppy seeds, sugar, olive oil, vinegar, paprika, Worcestershire sauce and onion. Cover, and chill for one hour.
In a large bowl, combine the spinach, strawberries and almonds. Pour dressing over salad, and toss. Refrigerate 10 to 15 minutes before serving.