Entertaining with Katie Brown

Adults do not often plan themed parties other than those involving yearly holidays. Katie Brown would like to put an end to that stodginess, and offers a selection of ideas to jump-start your next get-together. From Farm-Stand Lunch, Hopscotch, to Industrial Chic, she offers decorating ideas as well as full menus. More traditional celebrations like Thanksgiving and birthdays are also covered.

Ms. Brown genuinely seems to be having fun with her plans, and I can see where those of an arts-and-crafts bent may as well. For stick in the muds like me, however, the idea of cutting squares of sod to use as 'placemats' for the Farm Stand Lunch is a bit too much. But that's just me--I'm lucky to remember to put anything at all on the table before the food is ready.

The decorating ideas are fairly straightforward, and not overly expensive. If you have anything of a bent in that direction, then this is the book for you. (Some of these ideas would be good for casual office parties.)

Recipes are also straightforward even if they seem to take second place to the décor at times. Some reliance on mixes and prepackaged goods--not a great deal, but enough to let you know this isn't entertaining a la Martha Stewart.

Katie Brown can be seen weekly on the Lifetime network: http://www.lifetimetv.com/onair/shows/ka...

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