Reviews (2)

DELICIOUS RECIPES - GORGEOUS PRESENTATIONS

Susan Mason's Silver Service
The food is incredible and elegant yet surpisingly simple to do.One of the best occasion cookbooks out there. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Entertaining - General    5. Tablesetting   

Subjects:  1. Arts And Crafts    2. Christmas    3. Christmas cookery    4. Christmas decorations    5. Cookery    6. Cooking / Wine    7. Crafts & Hobbies    8. Entertaining - Party Planning    9. Hobbies/Crafts    10. Holiday - Christmas/Hanukkah    11. Seasonal    12. Crafts & Hobbies / Seasonal   

Reviews (2)

Bon Appetit does it again--a great resource for entertaining
With my busy schedule, I dont have the luxury to test new dishes before I entertain. I know I can always count on recipes from Bon Appetit cookbooks and this one is no exception. This book is not only a cookbook but a menu planner and resource guide. Last weekend I had 10 people over and served the following from the book:spicy shrimp in snow peas, deviled eggs with smoked salmon and green onions, spinach bacon spirals, and layered enchilada casserole.All got rave reviews. In the fall I used dishes from the barbecue menu.This book gives menus and planning tips for a number of entertaining ideas--from Saturday potluck to help yourself brunch to drinks and eats. Entertaining can be easy!
This cookbook really does make entertaining easy. Not only does it offer delicious recipes that we've come to expect from Bon Appetit but it organizes them in such a way that your menu and time easilymanaged.Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Entertaining    4. Entertaining - General    5. Entertaining - Party Planning    6. Regional & Ethnic - American - General    7. Tablesetting    8. Cooking / American / General   

Reviews (3)

The best of the best!
This is the best entertaining book I have ever seen.Not to mention the gorgeous photography.Each section goes thru the most important aspects of having a party and the things that must go into it.You will love this book!

The Art of the Party; Design Ideas for Successful Entertaini
Great Book with lots of great ideas. Also gives insight to the core principles of event planning.

The Bible for creative party/event planning and entertaining
This book not only is stuffed full of breathtaking pictures of unusual and creative parties of all kinds but it actually gives the reader instruction in creating concepts on ones own by following very simple formulas.Rennyis a genius at what he does and a generous spirit to teach others whatcomes naturally for him.If you have a wedding or ever are in charge ofany kind of event, this book is a worthy investment. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Entertaining    3. Entertaining - Party Planning    4. General    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. Methods - General    7. Tablesetting    8. Cooking / General    9. General cookery   

Reviews (8)

Great Book
This book was great for helping plan my son's kindergarten valentine party.The snack ideas were super and pretty easy to assemble.The highlight of the book is the valentine bingo game where everyone wins at the same time.The children just loved the game as they all shouted "bingo" at the same time.We also did the ice cube game and the cupid game.Both were also big hits with the children!I would highly recommend this book for any class parent needing some creative ideas for kids from 5+.

Valentine's Daywill never be the same.
With all the crafts, snacks, and games, you will have everyone entertained for years to come. This book is great for classrooms, parents, day cares, work, & more. Perfect paired with Valentine Boxes.

Valentine School Parties: What Do I Do?
Wonderful Book - Pleae make more like this!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Activities    2. Arts And Crafts    3. Children's parties    4. Crafts & Hobbies    5. Crafts for Children    6. Entertaining - Party Planning    7. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    8. General    9. Hobbies/Crafts    10. Seasonal    11. Valentine's Day    12. Handicrafts    13. Juvenile Nonfiction / Holidays & Festivals / Valentine's Day    14. Vocational Subjects & Skills   

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Entertaining    4. Entertaining - General    5. Parties    6. Party decorations    7. Planning    8. Tablesetting    9. Cooking / Entertaining    10. Etiquette & entertaining   

Reviews (4)

The Po' Man's Martha Stewart
This is a hilarious!Not only does Ruby Ann tell us of the gossipy goings on of her trailer park, but makes it sweet and endearing rather than trashy and sordid.It's a good book to read on an airplane or on a car trip, you can pick it up at any point and read something funny to pick you up.
WARNING, THIS IS NOT A CHRISTMAS BOOK
I won this book last week during a Dirty Santa game at a Christmas party.Truth be told, I had to steal it away since it was the gift everyone kept taking from each other during the game, but luckily I had the last number.I just assumed it was a Christmas book that I could put on my coffee table during the holiday season for visiting friends and family to enjoy, but boy was I wrong.This book covers all the holidays from the first of the year to the last of the year with food menue ideas and even activities.It is also sure to add a laugh to that special celebration regardless if it's VALENTINE'S DAY, PASSOVER, LABOR DAY, MOTHER IN-LAWS DAY/HALLOWEEN (they're fall so close together in October that Ruby Ann suggest you celebrate them on the same day), TAX DAY, and too many more to mention.Sure she takes her humor to CHRISTMAS and HANUKKAH, but she also covers MARDI GRAS and SUPER BOWL SUNDAY as well.And even though I'm only half way through the book, I've decided that this will make the perfect gift.I can give this to all my friends who like country western since Ruby Ann shows us how to throw a party on Reba and Loretta Lynn's birthdays.And all my race car buddies will love the section on the DAYTONA 500 with recipes like Bobby Allison Artichoke Dip and Tony Stewart Cookies (with orange and white frosting).And what kind of a trailer park cookbook would it be without an entire section dedicated to ELVIS'S BIRTHDAY!Everybody loves Elvis, and everybody will love me after they open their gifts and find this wonderful read filled with tasty dishes under the wrapping.This book is 5 full stars for sure.

Laugh at ALL THE HOLIDAYS YEAR ROUND
This was my favorite birthday present.Not only did I laugh till I almost wet myself, but the food is wonderful.And the good thing about the book is that regardless of how the title makes it sound, this is not just a Christmas book, but rather a book that covers all the holidays.Even if you don't cook, you will still fall in love with Ruby Ann and all her friends at the High Chaparral Trailer Park.She really has a way of making you forget your troubles.I went out and bought her first book so now I am ready both at the same time, and I'm falling in love with all the people in her books.Where shes comes up with these stories, I'll never know.I hope that she continues to write, because with all the talk of war and such, this is what we need to escape the world we live in.Keep up the great work Ruby Ann Boxcar! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Courses & Dishes - General    4. General    5. Holiday - General    6. Holiday cookery    7. Holiday cooking    8. General cookery    9. Humour    10. National & regional cuisine    11. USA   

Reviews (20)

BEAUTIFUL BOOK
I GAVE THIS BOOK AS A GIFT, BEFORE I WRAPPED IT I LOOKED THROUGH IT.THE PICTURES OF THE FOOD ARE BEAUTIFUL.THE RECIPES SOUND GREAT, MOST OF THEM NOT TOO DIFFICULT.

VERY GOOD PICTURES -P E R I O D .
I JUST WROTE ON THE TITLE WHAT I THINK ABOUT THIS BOOK. MORE THAN THAT: DON'T waste YOUR MONEY AND THE CALORIES ON THIS BOOK\RECIPES.FULL OF FAT RECIPES AND MOST OF THEM- VERY NOT HEALTHY.
Beautiful Cookbook
This book would make a great gift for the kosher cook. Lovely pictures and recipes. More work-intensive recipes than I would hope for, but nice. GREAT, GREAT price! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery, American    2. Cookery, Jewish    3. Cooking    4. Cooking / Wine    5. Entertaining    6. Entertaining - General    7. Regional & Ethnic - Jewish & Kosher   

Reviews (4)

The only book on wedding bouquets I needed!
This little paperback had more stunning bridal bouquet ideas than all the other expensive hardbound books I bought put together.While I understand that florists may find the lack of instructions or specific flower names frustrating - it was simply perfect for a bride looking for designs from simply elegant to wildly creative.I would recommend it to all brides as well as to all florists looking for a nice compilation of exquisite bouquets.

Great Pictures
If you are looking for pictures of bouquets this is the book for you.Watch out though.This book is a compilation of bouquets from a popular wedding magazine produced in the UK and they often use the true botanical name instead of the common flower names as we know them.No instruction but they do list the style of bouquet and flowers in them.Great to get ideas from.

Wedding Bouquets -- Over 300 Designs for every bride
The photos are excellent but the specifics are poor.As a florist, I wanted to know the exact name of each rose color, and would have liked the botanical name of the flowers as well.Although the editorial review says there are price indicators, I have not found them & have read every page.This would have been helpful info, too.A side view of each bouquet would be informative also.The "language of flowers" info is repetitive and could have been listed in a table at the back of the book.And I've never had a bride pick her flowers based on their meaning anyway.But it's a good book to show brides for ideas. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Flower Arranging    2. Reference    3. Reference And Information Services    4. Weddings    5. BG-OCCULT - BG-ASTROLOGY/OCCULT    6. Floral crafts    7. Reference / Weddings   

Reviews (4)

"Why" as well as "how" is important
While one can not truly barbeque on a grill, this guide gets you as close as possible.Good grilling is not rocket science but this book explains what many have learned only through trial-and-error.When trying a new receipe, I always compare it with this guide.While I may prefer sauces and rubs found in my other six grilling books, this is my Bible on how to apply them. Buy this book first and use it as your standard when reviewing others. Of course, like all receipe books, you must use your own good judgement. For example, one receipe says start your salmon fillets skin side down while another says skin side up. (I think skin side up is the right way to go to get better marking and to make it easier to see how cooking is progressing.) I use this book and I give it to my friends.Enjoy!
I'm getting another one for myself
I gave this book to my brother for his birthday.He is a BBQ addict - once flew to Memphis for a week, just to do BBQ research.He rarely finds anything of interest in most books or magazines.He loves this book and within the first 20 minutes of reading it (while we finished assembling his birthday cake) he announced, twice, that he had "found something".Having found the perfect gift, I couldn't be more pleased.

A "Must Have" Grilling and Barbeque Book!
"The Cook's Illustrated Guide to Grilling and Barbeque" is in my opinion a "must have" book for anyone wanting to learn or improve his/her outdoor cooking skills. This book, copyrighted in 2005, appears to me to be an updated and revised version of the similar "The Best Recipe Grilling & Barbeque" book copyrighted in 2001 (which I bought at the same time). After reading through both books, I do not see any reason for purchasing the 2001 book.
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Subjects:  1. Barbecue cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Entertaining - General    5. Methods - Barbecue & Grilling    6. Methods - Outdoor    7. Gadget cookery    8. Main courses   

Subjects:  1. Arts And Crafts    2. Christmas cookery    3. Christmas decorations    4. Cookery    5. Cooking    6. Cooking / Wine    7. Holiday - Christmas/Hanukkah    8. Seasonal    9. Cooking / Courses & Dishes / General   

Editorial Review

With the infectious enthusiasm of a kid on Christmas morning, Mario Batali--who presides over a culinary empire that includes the popular Food Network television show Read more

Reviews (6)

Fabulous cookbook on Italian holiday food
I was really surprised by this small cookbook.Now when I saw small, it means that it isn't your typical full sized cookbook with in excess of 200 pages, it is a nice hundred pages or so cookbook.Some wonderful features of this cookbook are the pictures, the wonderful recipes, and the text that is written with the recipes.
Lots of great recipes
I enjoy Mario Batali's quality work, both his interesting/funny TV shows and his interesting/beautiful books (the photographs are beautiful). Often when you buy quality Italian cookbooks with traditional recipes you get the feeling that it's been produced for professional chefs only. The recipes are too advanced and time consuming, and often require access to an Italian food market in order to get all ingredients. The recipes in this book range from uncomplicated to advanced but is "possible" for regular hobby chefs. Most of the ingredients are available at regular grocery stores. However, this doesn't mean that the food and all the dishes are too basic or uncomplicated; it's just that they are "within" reach for us regular guys. I'm sure that both hobby- and more advanced chefs also can appreciate and learn a lot from this book.

Classic Mario, just not enough to meet expectations
The very best thing about this book is that it is more of Mario Batali cooking Italian food. Once that is said, there are some things which are disappointing about this book.Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Holiday - Christmas/Hanukkah    4. Holiday cookery    5. Regional & Ethnic - Italian    6. Cooking / Italian   

Reviews (5)

Great book
I bought this book hoping that it would have some fresh ideas for my kids' class parties instead of the same old games and crafts we've been doing it seems year after year.I was worried that even if it had new ideas they might be too invovled/time-consuming for the hour and a half we typically have for the whole party.I was pleasantly surprised that this book had so many ideas to choose from that were original and fit into our limited time frame.I highly recommend this book.

Wonderful Book for Anyone Planning A Christmas Party
So you're planning a Christmas party, one where there will be fun and games, and lots and lots of kids. But where do you start? Well, first of all, purchase CHRISTMAS PARTIES...WHAT DO I DO? Wilhelminia Ripple has created the perfect book for anyone planning a Christmas party. Filled with over 125 wonderful ideas for crafts, games, and holiday snacks. Wilhelminia teaches you everything you need to know to throw the most fantastic Christmas party of the season, complete with instructions on how to create Elf Handprints, how to build an Edible Snowman, make a Human Christmas Tree, and much, much more. Whether you've thrown Christmas parties before or not, CHRISTMAS PARTIES...WHAT DO I DO? is the one thing you'll need to make your Christmas party better than anyone else's. A wonderful book that absolutely must be a part of your book collection.
Christmas Parties What Do I Do?Buy This Book!!
This book has Christmas Spirit on every page, with holiday games,crafts, and goodies from all around the world. It really brings out the child inside us all. With an added bonus of 13 pages for New Years Eve. I am a Parent and Day Care Provider, to me this book is as much a part of Christmas as the Tree. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Arts And Crafts    2. Children's parties    3. Christmas    4. Cookery    5. Cooking / Wine    6. Entertaining - Party Planning    7. Hobbies/Crafts    8. Holiday - Christmas/Hanukkah    9. Holiday - General    10. Holidays - Christmas    11. New Year    12. Religion    13. Seasonal    14. Christmas books    15. Parties   

Reviews (1)

Ooh, I just couldn't wait for this book!
Well, it finally was released.I was so excited to see that this book was on the way and I certainly haven't been disappointed.I just love all the decorating ideas in this book - my husband grabbed it and off he went to the store to buy the stuff it recommends.Sure was beautiful when he was done.This book makes decorating elegantly so very beautiful for the holidays, and it just gives you so many nice ideas.But, the RECIPES!Yikes!Better buy those elastic waisted pants because you'll need them after these awesome dishes.You know it's bad when you want to start with the first recipe and just make everything else afterwards.That's how it is with this book.It's really that good!You won't be disappointed with this book.I just love it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christmas cookery    2. Christmas cooking    3. Christmas decorations    4. Cookery    5. Cooking / Wine    6. Crafts & Hobbies    7. Decorating - General    8. Handicraft    9. Hobbies/Crafts    10. Holiday - Christmas/Hanukkah    11. Interior Design    12. Seasonal    13. Southern States   

Editorial Review

Nobody knows the holidays like Martha Stewart, and here she gives you all the information you need to have a spectacular Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Eve. Martha and her crew provide you with a hearty Thanksgiving feast featuring Quail with Brussels Sprouts and Shallots, Garlic Roast Potatoes, and Roast Fennel. Later she offers up a tasty but simple family breakfast for Christmas morning and a sumptuous Christmas dinner centered around a Loin of Venison with Red-Currant Bordelaise and Roast Capon with Wild Rice Sourdough Stuffing. The lower-key New Year's Eve dinner of five dishes may be more appealing to kitchen novices. Read more

Reviews (2)

Cookie Recipes are Perfect
My wife and I use the recipes in this magazine every Christmas.They come out perfect every time.

Looking for a way to make your holidays more elegant?
This offering from Martha Stewart provides a new, more elegant way to celebrate the holidays. The menus she presents are a refreshing departure from the traditional "turkey and dressing". Her decorating ideas are absolutely exquisite (a fact that did not go unnoticed by our guests). My friends and I enjoyed making the decorations and preparing the meal as much as our guests enjoyed looking at the decorations and eating! I only wish she had provided more decorating ideas. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Entertaining    4. Holiday - General    5. Holiday cookery    6. Holiday decorations    7. Reference    8. Seasonal    9. Cooking / Seasonal   

Reviews (5)

This cookbook exists to make you look good
Although I have never done an entire menu from this book, every recipe I've tried from here has been delicious, super-easy and perfect, and I've tried several for my dinner parties. The desserts, especially, are delicious, impressive and simple.
i love this book
Simple Soirees is my new favorite cookbook. In December I lugged it to New Zealand to bring as gift to our hostess. After she opened it; I snuck it off to my room to read at night.It distinguishes itself by being the first cookbook that I have read cover to cover.It read like a novel. We spent the rest of our stay making many of the dishes.Our favorite was the whole fish wrapped in herbs for Christmas Eve...it was extraordinary.My daughter and I have made several of the sweet things together like the heavenly fragrant geranium ice cream and the lavander and cardamom cookies.Everything we have made has turned out delicious.
Great ideas--delicious food
Lovely ideas, encouraging, and full of do-able advice.
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Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Dinners and dining    5. Entertaining    6. Entertaining - General    7. Entertaining - Party Planning    8. Menus    9. Tablesetting    10. Cooking / Entertaining    11. General cookery   

Reviews (7)

Flower Arrangement as an Art Form
Paula Pryke is an artist is every sense of the word. Coming across this magnificently and luxuriously illustrated book is like discovering a famous artist new to you.The topic is 'Inspired Arrangements for All Occasion' and both the writing and illustrations certainly prove that claim to be true.
all you want to know about flower arrangement
This book has all you would like to know about flower arrangement. Starting from how the flowers make it to the market(from the growers) ,to the Common names and Latin names of the different flower species. There are superb pictures of 100s of arrangements for different occassions and step by step descriptions of how to do some of them. What I liked the most , was the last chapter called techniques, it has a thorough description of all the equipment one needs to do these elaborate arrangents. However, for a complete beginner like me , this book might seem too intense as the arrangements are quite elaborate. At any rate, it makes a good coffee table read.

Simply the Best

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Subjects:  1. Crafts / Hobbies    2. Cut flowers    3. Floral Arts    4. Flower Arranging    5. Flower arrangement    6. Flowers    7. Gardening/Plants    8. General    9. Interior Design - General    10. Floral crafts    11. Gardening / General    12. House & Home / Decorating   

Reviews (3)

A good book for using for cooking your first thanksgiving
Lots of good recipes especially for someone attempting to fix their first thanksgiving meal. Most are easy to make, lots of both traditional and updated holiday recipes. The instructions are easy to follow. Not so many recipes to choose from but makes it easier to plan a meal.

An On Target Cookbook!
The trouble with a lot of Thanksgiving cookbooks is that they throw so many new and quite exotic dishes at the reader.I think most people still prefer their Thanksgiving with all of the traditional dishes.
I love this book.
This book is great...even a novice like me can creat amazing dishes by following this book.Betty Crocker shows you the easy way to roast a turkey and prepare the side dishes and desserts that go with a Thanksgiving meal. Thank you, thank you. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Holiday - General    5. Menus    6. Regional & Ethnic - American - General    7. Seasonal    8. Thanksgiving cookery    9. Thanksgiving cooking    10. Cooking / Seasonal    11. General cookery    12. National & regional cuisine    13. USA   

Subjects:  1. Buddhism - Zen    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Dried Flowers    4. Flower Arranging    5. Gardening    6. Gardening/Plants    7. General    8. Zen Buddhism   

Editorial Review

Avowed Martha Stewart fans--and the rest of us, too--have cause to applaud. Read more

Reviews (33)

Mixed Results from Recipes
I have had mixed results from this cookbook. Fruitcake Lovers Unite!
I love fruitcake and I have sampled so many recipes that my friends call me Dr. Fruitcake! Martha Stewart's recipe is the greatest! It's more than just fruit and nuts loaded with rum. It has body, and character. No holiday table should be without this recipe and several others featured in this fine book. This Is Not Very Good Cookbook- Too Hard
I prefer the How to Be a Domestic Goddess: Baking and the Art of Comfort Cooking, Betty Crocker's Picture Cookbook, The Low-Carb Comfort Food Cookbook. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Entertaining - General    5. General    6. Reference    7. Tablesetting    8. Cooking / General    9. General cookery