READER RESPONSE
This week's question for readers:
Is technology complicating your domestic life, or improving it? Send your answers by email text, not an attachment, in 100 words or less, along with your full name to Jane at thebooklessclub@gmail.com. We will print some next week in this space.
Responses to last week's question for readers: Love to entertain friends and family, or is it a chore? What are your tips for making the event manageable?
NOTE: Due to the high demand for the rum cake recipe from last week's column, I've posted it on my website
■ The secret to hassle-free entertaining? A husband who can cook and set a table.
Larry Donen
■ We are fortunate to have a lanai (patio) very suitable for entertaining six to eight people. Due to the pandemic, we did no indoor entertaining, but this summer we discovered the perfect way to feed guests: finger food. Fancy little potatoes. Cherry tomatoes. Strips of peppers. Devilled eggs. And sweet and sour ribs, huli huli chicken wings, and kielbasa (already cut up) on the barbecue. Guests helped themselves, nothing got really cold, the food was all there, and there were only plates to wash up. No cutlery to spread viruses. Perfect.
Irene Slater
■ One word for almost stress-free entertaining: potluck. Our SWORD (Single Widowed or Divorced) group started out having full-on sit-down dinners. The hostess would set the main course or theme, and we would build on that, as we continue to do. Now, many have moved to smaller homes and a larger sit-down meal is not feasible. So, we have moved on to appie and dessert nights instead. Everyone provides something, so no one carries all the weight. People are happy to comply and love the variety. If you aren't up to the task, there's always something store-bought in a pinch (frozen Yorkshire puddings are really quite good).
I concur with not vacuuming before a visit, and be sure to turn the lights down and light candles. But be sure the bathroom is shiny and clean.
Folk congregate to enjoy each others' company, not to judge someone's housekeeping.
Sharon Tokar
■ My fiancée and I am hosting three couples tonight — two are cousins and their spouses, and the third, a nephew and wife. Preparations started yesterday but the fretting started a week ago. I'm going to insist my fiancée read your article. She was up until 2 a.m. this morning making a tiramisu cake.
I have reminded her several times that this is family and no one notices if the house is not dusted. But they do notice if you run out of wine. We have lots of wine.
Michael Provenzano
■ Before the pandemic hit, my wife and I came up with a pre- or post-christmas party — a cookie exchange and beer tasting. We supplied appies and a few exotic beers. We encouraged attendees to bring cookies and some strange brew to share with others. It was a hit.
Matthew Jordan