(ARA) – The backyard is an entertainment hot spot as Americans seek affordable ways to spend time with family and friends. But your outdoor party can be spoiled quickly if unwelcome insects show up.

More than half of backyard revelers have moved a party indoors due to mosquitoes, and 46 percent have left a party to escape the pests, according to a new survey from the makers of OFF! PowerPad Lamp and Lantern.

Create an unforgettable party within a tight budget with these five tips from Natalie Ermann Russell, author of “The Outdoor Entertaining Idea Book:”

1. Keep decor simple: Save money on decorations by making the most of the greenery and foliage that surround you. Simple potted plants as center pieces create an elegant setting at little cost, and they’ll last much longer than cut flowers.

2. Set a realistic menu: Give yourself a break by creating a menu that is realistic for your budget and your schedule. To get the best prices, focus on foods that are in season and check out your local farmers’ market for deals. Using produce from the farmers’ market also makes for less work — the flavors of these foods are so intense and beautiful, they’re at their best when prepared simply. For example, a pasta primavera with blanched farmers’ market veggies can be assembled quickly, and is super colorful and so delicious.

3. Invite guests to pitch in: The beloved potluck is making a comeback. Your friends and family will enjoy contributing to the event, but be sure to be specific about what you need so that you end up with a good variety of foods. And establishing a theme can make it even more fun. For instance, call it the Fresh from the Farmers’ Market Potluck, where each person brings a dish to highlight a different fruit or vegetable that’s in season.

4. Keep away mosquitoes for less: OFF! PowerPad Lamp can repel mosquitoes from an area of up to 15 by 15 feet — the size of an entire patio — for less than $10. It would take 15 citronella candles at a cost of up to $60 to protect this same area.

5. Plan right: The fear of running out of food often drives hosts to prepare twice as much food as they need — at twice the cost. Know your head count beforehand and shop accordingly. A general rule of thumb is to plan for six to eight ounces per person of the main protein (e.g., steak, fish, chicken) and one to two ounces of a side dish like rice or pasta.

Use these simple and affordable tips to entice your guests to linger at your next outdoor party. For more information about how to combat mosquitoes, visit www.offprotects.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Related posts:

1. Plan the perfect summer soiree

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

“A picnic is a work of art; no two are ever the same. Imagination, thoughtfulness and creativity lead to a delightful and successful meal.”

(ARA) – This is a great time of year to enjoy outdoor recreation and commune with nature. No matter which coast you reside on — the Atlantic or the Pacific — or somewhere in the middle, near a lake or a pond, a shoreline picnic is a perfect retreat. Picnics are a great way to reconnect with family and friends. Lovers are synonymous with picnics, especially when a proposal or anniversary is cause for celebration.

Packing for a picnic depends upon a few simple factors: the people, the situation, and the location. Given these parameters, it’s easy to begin building the perfect picnic basket. And don’t even think of packing those tired sandwiches and potato chips; it’s time to go international with your picnic fare. Chef Director Linda Carucci at The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California – San Francisco and Baking and Pastry Chef Peter Babcock of The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale have some creative and global ways to pack for your next picnic.

“Picnics were a huge event in my family while we were growing up,” says Carucci. Her Italian family would pack a picnic for the entire family and take it to the beach. “My grandmother would pack everything except the kitchen table. It would take us longer to unpack the car than to eat the meal!”

Carucci doesn’t think picnics need to be as much work as they were when she was growing up, so she shares some tips on how to create a hassle-free and delicious outdoor feast. To start, she suggests centering the meal around a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken, which has been cut up in advance. For some fun and easy side dishes, Carucci says to take store-bought breadsticks and wrap them in prosciutto or coppa. Another great appetizer is mozzarella basil skewers with cherry or grape tomatoes.

“This makes a beautiful presentation and is so simple to do. Just stack slices of fresh buffalo mozzarella, fragrant basil, and whole tomatoes onto a skewer. Drizzle with a small amount of olive oil and some Maldon sea salt and you’re good to go,” says Carucci.

“My picnics always begin with arranging the blanket and making my guests comfortable,” Babcock says. “I always pack flowers in the basket to bring out as a special surprise between the plates and the silverware.”

Babcock suggests placing bottled water in the freezer the night before to act as chill packs in the basket, then to offer the icy drinking water to guests. He also proposes putting a nice bottle of wine in the freezer several hours before leaving to ensure a nice, cool glass while resting under a shady oak tree. Pack hand cleaners and towels for small emergencies and if the picnic is planned for late afternoon, pack a battery operated candle to set the mood after the sun settles lazily into the horizon.

Next, bring out a small cutting board and begin to fill it with an assortment of cheese, crackers, tropical fruit and berries. And don’t forget dessert. Babcock suggests Key lime tarts with ginger cookies, and dark chocolate and strawberries.

“A picnic is a work of art; no two are ever the same. Imagination, thoughtfulness and creativity lead to a delightful and successful meal,” Babcock continues.

Although we would all love to be able to make the perfect picnic basket, some of us might be in a crunch for time and unable to put together a shore-side feast out of our own kitchens. Not to worry, says Carucci. “When time is tight or the idea of having a picnic comes up last minute, a sure bet is to place a to-go order from your favorite dim sum restaurant.”

“Order up your favorite dumplings, steamed buns, congee, and some sweet egg custard tarts for dessert and you’re good to go. All you need are chopsticks and a tiny bowl for soy sauce!”

Whatever type of picnic basket you create, you are sure to have a wonderful beach-side dining experience with your family and friends surrounding you. There’s no better way to take in a beautiful day with your loved ones than with great food and a breeze blowing through your hair.

To see what else is “cooking” at The Art Institutes schools, check out www.artinstitutes.edu. The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu) is a system of over 40 education institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

1. Some barbecue fanatics spend days marinating their brisket before a barbecue. Who has time to make a potato salad on top of that? Provide the main course, and ask each guest to bring their favorite side dish with them. You’ll get a great variety of dishes, and even your pickier guests will be guaranteed to find one item they will love. 

2. Keep your outdoor decor simple and unfussy. Tea light candles provide instant glamour to any evening party, and are extremely versatile design elements. Some varieties float and can be placed in the pool, while others are perfect for luminaria. To make your own, fill simple white or brown paper bags with enough sand to keep them from overturning in the wind and place one tea candle inside. These can be lovely when used to line a deck or walkway. And for those who are concerned about keeping pesky bugs at bay: Look for candles that include citronella oil, an effective ingredient that naturally repels insects. 

3. Set up a few outdoor games to keep your guests entertained. Games like “Capture the Flag,” bean bag toss and Frisbee require very little setup, and get guests to interact with people outside of their own group or family. Kits can be ordered online, or built from materials you have around the house. 

4. No one likes to rush around looking for matching bowls and lids when it’s time for guests to take leftovers home. Inexpensive wax-lined paper cartons (bought at craft stores) allow guests to transport food home without the hassle of returning your expensive food storage containers afterward — something everyone will appreciate. If you have extra time before the party starts, these containers can also be customized by adding each guest’s name and the date of your party. 

5. Stains left by barbecue sauce, grass and dirt are some of the toughest to remove, and they are all, unfortunately, par for the course at outdoor gatherings. Luckily, hosts and hostesses can turn to an expert this summer for stain advice: Clorox’s Summer Stain Hotline (877) STAIN-411, hosted by stain scientist Harold Baker (a.k.a. “Dr. Laundry”), will be available 24/7 throughout the season. Consumers simply dial up the hotline, choose from a selection of the season’s toughest stain dilemmas, and are guided through the proper course of treatment. Or, consumers can submit stain questions to Dr. Laundry directly by visiting his online blog, www.drlaundryblog.com. So once the party’s over, “dial up” the heat against stains, and get to planning your next summer soiree. 

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Related posts:

1. Create memorable outdoor parties for less
2. Give holiday house guests the gift of a 5-star hotel experience

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.