Dessert, Fall, Food, Tales from the White House

Laura Bush’s Texas Buttermilk Coconut Pie with Whipped Cream

I learned a lot about hospitality from Laura Bush.  She understood and exemplified the desire to give every White House guest a memory of a lifetime, and beyond, because each guest’s visit becomes a part of their personal family history.  She thought carefully about every event she hosted: how it could be exceptional, how the food and flowers could in some way reflect the occasion, how the calligraphy honored the attendees – it was a package of small but important […]

Entrees, Fall, Food

Lamb and Barley Stew

There are few things more satisfying on a wet, bone-chilling evening than a hearty pot of soup. This lamb and barley stew is the kind of one-dish meal that is even better the next day as leftovers.; all it needs is a slice of rustic bread, a green salad, and a glass of burgundy to round out the meal. We’ve been eating this stew for so long that I don’t know where the original recipe came from. During our recent […]

Etiquette, Formalities

Weddings in the Mountains

Occasionally I come across young event planners doing creative, highly-individualized events that are so good I just have to tell you about them. Virginia Edelson runs Bluebird Productions, an event coordination and design firm based in Aspen, Colorado. She works throughout the West, specializing in innovative, personalized events, and she revels in making every detail of a party or wedding unique and memorable. Photo by Rebecca Sanabria Virginia manages all aspects of her events, from design to budget to selecting the […]