News

It is with mixed feelings that I am announcing the end of The Diva Dishes. It has been almost a year since I began this blog and it has been an adventure. I've enjoyed all your comments and messages and in many ways, I know I will miss it.

However, there is good news. I'm joining a group of cozy writers who write about food, and we're launching a blog called Mystery Lovers' Kitchen. I'm thrilled to be part of this very talented group of writers. We'll be sponsoring contests and offering some interesting opportunities. In fact, we're kicking things off with a weekly drawing for a gift certificate to Williams-Sonoma. I hope you'll come along and join me for Saturdays with Krista at Mystery Lovers' Kitchen! http://mysteryloverskitchen.com.

See you there!

Funny Wedding Story

This story is so amusing that it won Coco Ihle a copy of The Diva Takes the Cake.

My ex-husband and I were congenially preparing for our son’s wedding, but my ex’s girlfriend was trying her best to make the experience a total nightmare for me. I asked my ex if she could possible be excluded from this event. After all, she had nothing to do with raising our son. My ex agreed, but she wasn’t having it. She was going to attend every event, the rehearsal dinner, the wedding and reception, no matter what.

I found out from my future daughter-in-law what my ex’s girlfriend would be wearing to the wedding and decided to wear this same dress at the rehearsal dinner, the night before. I never said anything to anyone about my problem, but I suspected the gossip mongers had spread the news that the girlfriend might show up.

When the night of the rehearsal dinner arrived, I took special care to look my best. I was calm, friendly, and enthusiastic, excited about this new couple, who would soon spend their lives together. I have to admit, I looked great and felt like a million bucks. I was a beaming mother of the groom.

It wasn’t long before the girlfriend made her fashionably late appearance, strutting into the hotel ballroom with her head held in her normal stuck-up position, her hair bouncing. As she glided into the room obviously hoping all eyes would be on her, she got her wish. All eyes looked at her and then gravitated to me. Her eyes followed and suddenly widened. The next thing I knew, she had abruptly turned and rushed from the room.

I didn’t see her again, not at the dinner, the wedding or the reception. Problem solved. It was worth the price of the dress, which I, with a big grin on my face, later ceremoniously burned.

Wedding Tip # 12

Patti O'Brien was married two years ago and sent a long list of tips. Some of these were sentiments voiced by others, so I'm sharing her entire letter with you because It's a lovely wrap-up and a wonderful reminder that a wedding isn't just about one day in your life.

Have the wedding you want, not what someone else (parents, future in-laws, friends) wants. Graciously (very graciously) take their advice, but it comes down to what you and your fiance want for your day.

Remember that this is only ONE DAY, that wedding and marriage are two different concepts. A wedding is one special event in your lives, but not the last special event you will ever celebrate. You will have many joys throughout your marriage, and have many special events together. Maintain perspective.

When my husband and I were planning our wedding (and granted, we were in our early 40s) we decided that if the event started to get stressful, we would bail and elope. For us, a day that was supposed to be happy and enjoyable should not cause arguments and stress between the couple, family or friends.

Enjoy everything surrounding your wedding--it is special, and everyone does wish you the very best. Bask in all those good wishes.

Be grateful, and thank everyone who helps you in any way, and be as prompt as possible with the thank you notes that you send out. I was always amazed by how generous everyone was during this time in our lives.

Have a friend/wedding coordinator assist you at the wedding and reception to make sure things run smoothly--it's better if it's not a member of the bridal party or a parent. The coordinator should have a schedule of events, and makes sure these things don't run too late. If the coordinator is a friend, thank her or him with a gift.

Have fun at your own wedding!!! I can't stress this one enough! Take a moment here and there with your spouse, and enjoy being together surrounded by friends and family. Don't forget to take the time to greet everyone in attendance--they took time to be with you on your special day, you should take the time to greet them in some way throughout the day. But for those of you with music in some form at your wedding, don't forget to get out on the dance floor either :).

Wedding Tip #11

A clever variation on a traditional cake and decor from Joy Isley.

I recently went to a small wedding where the table decorations were flowers in angel food cake pans, cookie cutters strewn along the tables, and sprinkles of cake decorations sprinkled along with the ribbons down the cener of the tables.. The wedding cake was a small decorated cake and the guests ate cookes instead. There were several different types of cookies that the church ladies made.
Was interesting to see all of the men grab the brownies or chocolate covered peanut butter cookies. I heard a lot of comments that those were really good cookies. Each cookie donator brought 100 copies of the recipes of their cookies for the guests to take. You know how a lot of people don't like the cakes served at weddings because they tend to be bland or dry or too much frosting on them. I thought it was a unique idea and the men really appreciated it. Oh, and the bride got several recipe cards from the guests with their favorite recipe for her.

Wedding Tip #10 Children

And a last all season tip for entertaining children at weddings from Vickie Hartwell.

I have a tip for the reception especially if there will be children present. For my wedding, I made each child a sand bucket filled with crayons, coloring pages, small tub of playdoh, cars, stickers, bubbles, candy...you get the idea. This kept them entertained during the reception while all the adults were having a great time. I received TONS of compliments on this idea because the adults were actually able to enjoy themselves.

Wedding Tip #9 Children

This tip from Anna-Marie Barker is so easy and only requires a trip to the bulk food section of your local box store.

I am a believer in having children at the reception (I know some
folks aren't). I also believe that they should be made to feel a part of it
just as like adult guests to feel. So my tip is to do what we did at our reception...

First, the bride throws the bouquet. Next, the groom throws the garter. We then did as is tradition for many in our family: The best man and maid (matron) of honor throw loose change and candy out onto the dance floor for the kids. It is fun, crazy, and the kids will always remember the wedding too.

Wedding Tip #8 Children

A smart idea for children at winter weddings, from JT Thompson.

I was at a wedding a few months ago that had the best idea I've ever seen. A few of the young guests had brought their children with them - returning to Ireland for the wedding from Australia, Bali, France, the Americas - and some adults were wondering how they were going to keep two- to eight-year-olds from becoming fractious over the course of a long dinner.

It was a December wedding, so Santa was still in season. The bride and groom roped him in, and he arrived and called up each child by name - the littler ones going up hand-in-hand with a brother or sister or parent or aunt - and gave each one a nicely wrapped present.

Inside was a bunch of puzzles, crayons, colouring books and storybooks, which - with the help of loving parents - kept the children happy and occupied during the hour or so they stayed at the dinner.

It was the final lovely touch at a gorgeous wedding, where the groom's speech, full of love for his bride, had the guests brimming over, and that first dance - to 'D'ya love me, now that I can dance?' - was a jive with much brio and happiness.