Let's Throw A Party
And Gluten Free Fortune Cookies Live
Hi Friends,
Before I get to the party talk, I’m doing a live workshop for paid subscribers on this Thursday at 1pm Central Time! I’m making gluten free FORTUNE COOKIES!!
I know. Have you ever found one for sale? I haven’t! They are simple and so fun. A bit of nostalgia to perk up your day. It’s truly helpful to see it done before you give it a try - so that’s what we shall do!
Paid subscribers, you’ll get an email with a link to add this to your calendar and a link to join. Scroll to the bottom for a copy of the link to join and the ingredients if you’d like to bake along with me. Otherwise, I will publish the entire recipe for you after the workshop! Please email me if you have any trouble with these links. It’s a new system, and I want to know about any kinks!!
I’m just back from a spring break biking trip in a house filled to the brim with friends and kids, and I’ve been thinking about community a lot lately.
There’s a lot of uncertainty in the world, especially in the United States where I live. Community is what we need, what we crave in times of change. At least, I know I do. My community has gotten me through some rough times.
It can be hard though, when I look around, I see so much loneliness.
Do you feel it? We’re all so connected, yet so far apart.
The irony of me writing this as a newsletter that is distributed far and wide digitally for your consumption alone is not lost on me. A digital world has brought us together and also divided us.
just wrote a wonderful piece about this called A Cure For Loneliness.It’s even more difficult when you have dietary restrictions that make eating at restaurants and other people’s homes far less safe.
So… let’s throw a party and have people over.
Let’s throw a dinner party, a drinks party, an afternoon tea party, a stop-by after work for a nibble party with 3 other people, or a big blowout party. You can have over 2 people or 50. Throughout the year, I’ll do both.
I’ll do it to make sure I connect with the people I care about and get to know new friends. I’ve got tons of party throwing tips below so you can too!
I love inviting people into my home, my not-too-big, has dogs and kids, is never updated enough home. Not because I’m some superhuman who never gets embarrassed - I have had people slip me the number of their house cleaner after a party at my place - eek. But I love people, and I have a feeling they will forgive me for all of my faults and only remember how they felt when they were here.
A few things matter for a great gathering and many things you can just let go.
People
Invite people you want to hang out with. You want an atmosphere that you feel at ease with. Don’t worry if everyone doesn’t know each other. Introduce them. If you know one interesting thing about them, you can mention it. After that people will get to know each other, it’s a party after all.
Music
This one is crucial. A party without music can feel somber, and a lull in the conversation awkward. If there’s light background music playing suddenly you’re off the hook for filling the silence. The music can set the feeling; don’t skip it!
If you have speakers in your home, try a lighthearted playlist. Something that people know a few of the words to. If you’re hosting outside and do it often, a portable Wi-Fi speaker playing music from your phone is great to have. Sometimes you’re traveling or out in nature and don’t have access to these things. do you know what makes a makeshift speaker? Your phone playing music set in a metal bowl. No joke, try it, it really works.
Maybe try this playlist?
Food
You need some. It doesn’t need to be fancy or perfect but people want to nosh. If you’re throwing a dinner party for 12 you can have a four course dinner with a flaming dessert of course OR you can just assemble nuts, cheese, and charcuterie on a big board and let people snack. For a mini gathering chips, a wedge of cheese and a jar of pickles will do, you might even have those things on hand already.
Maybe you just make a huge pile of French fries and sprinkle some exciting toppings over, maybe an irresistible salad served on your balcony, perhaps you create a big pan of paella (seafood-full, chicken and sausage, or maybe a veggie version?) You could always have a firepit party and roast sausages and sweet potatoes, or have a late one and buy marshmallows, gluten free Tate’s Chocolate Chip Cookies, and roasting sticks.
If you’re having a dinner it’s nice if guests bring something, but that can be problematic for those with food intolerances, allergies, and celiac disease. For a potluck-type party, I have those that I know confidently can make gluten-free dishes (like my mom) bring a dish, and ask for something purchased for others who come, like drinks, booze, ice, charcoal, ice cream, etc.
Drinks
You don’t have to have a million but be prepared with a few. Water is a must. If you’re having alcohol one or two options are truly sufficient, you aren’t a bartender and you don’t have to be. A nonalcoholic option is nice, many people don’t drink or are driving and it’s hospitable to have something for them - lemonade, tea, or N/A spirits, you know your people best.
You do not have to serve your drinks in crystal, in fact, it is rarely preferable. People truly don’t mind drinking wine out of mismatched glasses or jelly jars. I know I don’t. If you have a signature beverage you like it takes the guesswork out of it. At our house, it’s cava - a Spanish bubbly wine purchased mainly at Trader Joe’s because it’s a deal. It’s festive, fairly inexpensive, and immediately makes any gathering FEEL like a party.
Attitude
If a certain type of party stresses you out or makes you dread the evening, then that’s not the one for you. Maybe a shorter stop by for a nibble party is where to start, or one where you man the grill and people gather around, maybe you LOVE the drama of making a big dinner and you throw yourself into it. Throw the party you want to be at and remember most of all, people just want to be together. Perfection doesn’t exist.
The non-exhaustive list of things that don’t matter for a great party
Perfection - forget it, if you wait until you are ready you’ll never have anyone over.
Spending big bucks - whatever that means to each of us, it’s the community we’re going for here.
How fancy your house/clothes/friends are - nobody wins that race it’s a buzzkill.
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The link and ingredients for Gluten Free Fortune Cookies are below for paid subscribers!
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