Friday, August 31, 2007

The Edge of Coolness

Waiting in carpool pick up line the other day, it hit me: Am I in danger of losing my edge? When did eye cream start regularly appearing on my grocery list? I didn’t feel compelled to check how much I had left a few years ago before jetting off to the store. Eye cream today, support hose tomorrow. Shriek!

Highlights of the Main Dish's action plan to actively keep the edge alive and kicking:

1. Update the vocab. This is important to retaining the edge if for no other reason than if you have kids, you truly need to understand what they’re saying – it could become a safety issue. This suggestion sports a warning label: Know how to use the new and improved vocab correctly or your cover will be blown to bits. I highly recommend regularly checking http://slang.otheday.com/ who’s mission in life is to keep me sleeping with the boss (TRANSLATION: on top of my game). Get your mind out of the gutter; I don’t have a boss!

2. Keep current on current topics. This is pretty easy to do once you figure out what entertains you. If you want to know more about politics, by all means, read several newspapers and magazines dedicated to that field. This diva doesn’t like all that arguing (Mental Bubble Gum Chewer that I am), so I keep up with Brittany Spears, Amy Winehouse, and the lovely Miss Teen South Carolina. They really put my life into perspective like nothing else. Compared to them, I’m not only really together and a competent adult, I’m a MENTAL GIANT. This is especially rewarding after a day of demands from kids and coworkers wanting outrageous results ranging from producing supper that they’ll actually eat to turning in reports in a timely fashion.

2 (a) Personal Temporary Obsession #3 Lauren Caitlin Upton (a.k.a Miss Teen South Carolina). For sport, I’m embracing a temporary quest to end a majority of sentences in “such as”. What better way to keep people listening to you when you have nothing further to say much less the inability to talk suscintly and make sense simultaneously?! This is Verbal Bubble Gum and I simply must try it. I’m seriously considering writing a post using this format such as. Lemme know what you think, m’K.

3. Seek adventure. Start small: Try a different restaurant, a new ethnic food, call a friend you haven't seen in years and go to lunch. None of these takes much time or planning, so get off your JLo-inspired butt and go have some fun. Now, if you really want to spice up your life, get out. Travel. Intimidated? Go to a state or national park – I highly recommend the Caribbean National Forest in Puerto Rico, the only rainforest in the US Park system.

When does a diva have time to work on her edge? Carpool line! How else are you going to fill up those 21 minutes of your day?

It’s not so much that a diva loses her cool edge, she just may not realize it slips away bit by bit. The work, school, soccer schedules organize our lives, but the danger to our edges comes when we slip into becoming schedule drones. Fight it. Kick your game up a notch, Pumpkin. Embrace your inner fabulousness. Reclaim your cool edge such as.

Thursday, August 30, 2007

Anticipatin' Tailgatin'

If there’s a song in the air, it’s probably a fight song. Touchdowns ... marching bands ... tail gate food.

It’s not quite 9 a.m. , but I’m already thinking about this weekend’s tailgate party. Thick, juicy burgers. Baked beans. GrandMartha’s potato salad. Mmm. Are you sensing the sizzle?

Not going to a game? Tackle your cravings and throw a tail gaiting party in the comfort of your own home. Actual tail gate is optional.

Here’re your Game Day Tailgate Party Tips:
#1 Chill Out
If you don’t have an enormous ice chest and don’t want to buy one of those trendy $100 beverage containers, Ice down a cheap, clean plastic kiddie wading pool and keep your cold drinks there all day. It takes a lot of ice, but it’s totally worth it since it saves you on re-stocking during the party.

#2 Get Fired Up
Ignite your grill at the right time depending on what kind you have. Light your charcoal a few hours before your home tailgate party starts. That way you’re sure it’s ready when guests arrive. With a gas grill, heat it up and start cooking before your guests arrive, but not too soon – avoid having cold food. Remember that a great host is never trapped behind the grill or in the kitchen – Party with your peeps.

#3 Veg Out
Don’t forget our veggie-lovin' friends. Throw on some fruits and vegetables or even shrimp on the grill.

#4 Set the Pace
Before your party, pick up the Next Hot Trend in Tail Gate Accessories – Weekend Waterford- they’re Styrofoam cups with “Redneck Stemware”, or “S.L.U.T.S.” (Southern Lady Under Tremendous Stress) emblazoned on them. No one’s going to forget that detail. Start your search for them at one of my favorite desirable diva stores, www.harmonylanding.com

#5 Go for the Extra Point
For the big game, make sure that your guests never miss a minute. Put a small TV in the bathroom, connect one near the grill, or in the kitchen. No hook-up in parts of your party pad? Have radios tuned in to the big game.


#6 Marinate in Your Victory
A hostess loves being on the receiving end of cheers. Win your guests over by not only your divine hospitality and festive flair, but also with your food choices. Not a chef? No time?

  • Catering - always good It’s saved me panic on more than one occasion. Your menu could be the sensational offerings of a pig’s butt or chicken’s fingers.
  • Another no-hassle party food fave is kabobs. Mmm. Food on a stick.
  • Check out the frozen food section at wholesale clubs. My in-laws always serve great food at their parties and most times the food is compliments of Chef Sam de la Club.

No matter what you serve, have plenty of foods and snacks at your party. Stock up on food that doesn't go bad like chips and dip. Or sodas, or beer, or wine, or peanuts, or … well, you get the picture. Lots of party food has amazing shelf-life and can sit happily in your pantry until the next soiree. Regardless of what you serve, make sure you keep your cold foods cold and hot foods hot.

Oh! One more grill tip. Always use tongs to turn meat on a grill. Forks pierce holes in it and allow juice to escape.

A final note. You don’t have to limit your tailgate party to football. It’s also festive for racing events or the World Series! But not so much for say, golf or ice skating.