So, Dear Readers, Last night I had a few of my favorite friends over for a small, casual dinner. Only eight of us, including myself. No fancy drinks, shaken or stirred; just wine. No elaborate recipes tried and true, nor the usual and always frightening: never kitchen tested entree. Nope, I was making pizzas and serving them with a tossed salad and my friend Jennifer brought her delicious cranberry/apple pie, served a la mode with coffee. So what's the biggie? Why is having a few friends over for dinner, so much work? And why am I always stressed out during the last hour and a half, ready to bite the head off any dog, cat, child, phone caller or delivery person who diverts my attention or gets in my way? (My son told me that as a little kid, he stayed clear of me if my hair was in rollers! How sad is that?)
People will tell you that your friends like you for you, they don't care if the house is clean. Right! I have learned some short cuts though, and I'm happy to share them with you, as long as you don't judge me too harshly. No. 1: Know where to position the couch pillows so that the dog hair woven into their fabric won't be back lighted by the end table lamps. No. 2: If you can't really clean like you want to, spot clean an area in the entry hall and swab it with Pine Sol, so that guests will inhale the scent of a well scrubbed floor when they arrive and assume that the maid just left. No.3: Candle light. Put candles everywhere. They create a romantic atmosphere and romance is associated with spotless silverware and sparkling wine glasses. No. 4: Serve alcohol immediately and encourage folks to relax and visit so they have a focus that doesn't include tarnished surfaces or dust bunnies. The rest, I'm afraid you're going to have to figure out for yourselves, but I am considering a way to market a product we all can use: a Pine Sol spritz! Think about the possibilities!
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