| A Bride's Cookbook |
The Cookbook
Learn More about the cookbook that started it all, now updated, revised and better than ever! Give one as a unique wedding or shower gift this season!
|
| Cool Attire ... |
"Celebrate Everything!!!"
Remember our mantra, "make a habit of celebrating life!" with our fun "Celebrate Everything" and "Don't Wait to Celebrate" apparel and gifts. Visit
www.givitup.com or click on the Apron above or bib below. Or, create your own product, by sending your text, design, or photo / image to Nancy
|
| "Plan Ahead" Links & Resources |
Here are some quick & easy links to supplement your preparation and make the time together even more special! For the car or other emergencies...
 
|
| And for the cheese lovers in the family... |
 |
| Pick a destination nearby an upcoming concert or sports event and get discounted tickets ahead of time! |
 | Dress-up and Deck it out!
|
| We Want YOUR Feedback! |
| We'd like your feedback on our newsletter. Is there something missing or you would like to see more or less of? We want to make sure this remains a resource that you get something out of. Take our One Minute Survey and let us know. |
One Minute Survey
| |
|
|
Greetings!
June brings summer and July our Independence, but the 8th month on our calendar
has no claim to fame. How about creating your own Holiday this August and
celebrate it each year from now on! It's a great time for family reunions in the mountains or at the beach and savoring those last days of summer before the hectic fall begins with school, Monday Night Football, and, well you get the picture!
As always what we eat can make the time spent together fun, and what we "8" , memorable! Check out some great venue and food ideas in this month's newsletter and let us hear back some favorite memories at the end of the month and let's make the 8th month a gr8 month starting '08!
|
8 Venue Ideas for a Family Final Fling 'fore Fall
|
|
Try one of these this August...
1. Beach resorts. If you want a reunion that is equally fun for all, why not take your whole family to the beach? Bring loads of food with you. You can walk the beach early, swim during the day and enjoy cool ocean breezes at night.
2. Hotels. For a simple weekend getaway get rooms at a conveniently located casual hotel. Make sure you get at least one suite with a kitchen where everyone can gather for cards, board games, charades, and even cooking together.
3. Campsite. Is your family an adventurous one? If so, go to a nearby campsite and experience outdoor living for the night or for the weekend. This can be as rustic as tent camping or as comfortable as renting cabins.
4. Theme Parks. You will have loads of fun riding all the attractions the place has to offer. There are theme parks in every state. Have fun at the parks during the day and enjoy unwinding at family meals and talks in the evening.
5. Picnic grounds. If your family is in to something quieter and more intimate, a picnic would be a good setup. Kids can run up and down the park while adults can spend the rest of the day talking to each other and reminiscing.
6. Cruise ship. Appealing to every age and easiest on everyone. Shopping last minute deals can make this very inexpensive and a great value. Everyone to their own schedules and waited on hand and foot with gathering times as you like! Cruise ships offer group rates also.
7. Recreational Sports Area. If your family members are sports enthusiasts, you can make your reunion more fun if you take it to a sports establishment. Hold it at a tennis court or resort if everybody plays. Or a bowling alley or golf course or the lake for water sports. The possibilities are endless.
8. At Home. Where else is the most comfortable, most secure, and most accessible place in the land but right at your home? Homes are meant to be shared. Welcome your loved ones to yours. Plan ahead and then just enjoy!
|
|
Cre8ive Activities...Cre8ing Memories
|
|
1. Color coordination - You can ask your family members to color-coordinate their clothes based on whose child they are. For example, you can ask Uncle George's family to wear red and Aunt Susan's family to wear green.
2. Pictures down memory lane - Ask your family members to bring their photo albums. While you wait for dinner to cook, you can exchange photo albums and share memories.
3. Family Q&A - See who can answer the most questions about the family - you might have the oldest 2 or 3 members come up with the questions.
4. Genealogical Tree - Have everybody chart out the genealogical tree starting from Grandpa and Grandma. The one that gets the most accurate and complete answer wins.
5. Cook-fest - If your family likes to cook, have them bring their own recipes and swap them with one another. You can gather the recipes into a family cookbook. Or have each family bring their favorite chili and have a chili cookoff. You'll just need to supply crackers, desserts and beverages.
6. Story-telling - Everybody, no matter how young or old, enjoys a good story. After a meal gather everyone together and tell stories from the present (what they are doing now? What are their plans for the future?) and the past (stories from when your uncles, aunts and parents were younger.) You'll learn more about your relatives that way. Have someone video-tape
this session so that you can always look back on the moment.
7. Skits or Talent Shows - You can have the performers re-enact stories from your family history or get everyone involved sharing their special talent
8. Video Captures - Well Super 8 movie cameras are long gone but there are probably at least a couple of video cameras/video phones among your family members. Ask each member questions while recording a video. Make it fun by asking them quirky questions such as, "Who is the last person from our family you would want to be stuck with on a deserted island?" That kind of question will always bring a barrel of laughter. Bonus idea...put the funniest ones on You Tube!
|
| Make it Potluck
|
|
Sharing the food ideas, budget and preparation can be one of the best parts of a reunion. Have each family member contribute their favorite recipe, dish, or idea and then take turns cooking, serving and cleaning up.
We've included here some of our own family favorites. Feel free to add your own and solicit others from all who will be there and even those that can't! For those who can't
get enough Mexican food, try our recipe for an easy to tote Taco PieSanta Fe Chicken is an easy
one pot meal perfect to take to potlucks. And NOT your normal
boring cassarole... Try our colorful and flavorful version - Company Macaroni and Cheese |
| Idea of the Month... |
|
| While you have the family together why not create a family cookbook! This creative new idea will provide a family legacy to be used and added to each August and passed down to future generations! |
|
 |
|
I hope you will take the chance to share your love of food and your own personal style with family and friends this 8th month of 2008 as the summer heads to a close and becomes nothing but the memories of good times and good food. So remember - - Make a habit of celebrating life!
For more tips, recipes, and ideas visit our website at www.abridescookbook.com or blog at www.abridescookbook.com/blog and Happy Celebrating!
Know any friends that enjoy food, or just need to loosen up? Forward this on (there is a link below to make it easy) and they just might invite you to their next celebration!
Sincerely,
Nancy Geiger
A Bride's Cookbook |
|
|
