Come sit with me for awhile . . .
and see what I’m bringing to the table ®

I’m here to .   .   . inform, enlighten, entice and in some instances cajole you people .   .   . but always with the gentlest of touch and the kindest of intentions.  Whether serious or silly .   .   . I am about to share this amazing opportunity to celebrate .   .   . National .   .   .  peanut lovers day (hmmm .   .   . oh sorry, I seem to have strayed off subject!), share a smile day, Goddess of Fertility day. Wait !!! I’m not done. How about banana day    .   .   . celery day .   .   . soft pretzel day .   .   . pecan day .   .   . grilled cheese day.   .   . soy foods day .   .   .  potato chip day .   .   . popcorn day .   .   . and .   .   .  please let’s not miss Alfred Hitchcock Day. Phew! Yes, of course there is much more to the list but, enough is enough! Easy people I’m not suggesting that you embrace all of my list but .   .   .  I am suggesting that you cherry pick from my carefully, and lovingly crafted list of step-out-of-the-box bag of ‘let’s have some fun’ choices! Whoa .   .   . what are you waiting for? Hellllo .   .   . pick already, I insist .   .   . sheesh! That’s it .   .   . pluck one from my garden of plenty. What? Oh please this is not the time to be shy .   .   . you do remember that this is not our first date!

O k people .   .   . pay attention. I have just handed you the potential for a unique, and fun evening filled with entertainment, super favorite eats, and if you play your cards right some giggles!!!  What’s that you’re shushing about? Oh, o k .   .   . you’re waiting for me to present my evening extraordinaire pick .   .   . yes? Easy-peasy!!! Did you all think I was going to show up ’empty handed’?

Take a hand full of Hitchcock brilliance, blend in several choices of freshly popped seasoned popcorn, accent with ‘not the run of the mill’ baked seasoned potato chips, fresh from your oven (guilt and fat free). Cut slices slightly thicker, so they can be used instead of crackers or taco chips. Next add a bowl of tangy fruit salsa, and one of hot sassy salsa, along with bowls of hummus and black bean purée. I am beginning to hear the stirrings of .   .   . yummm’s, oooh’s, and ahhh’s. Hang on kids, before you skip merrily off with your, gardens delight, let’s give three seconds thought to what you are going to put all your tasty treasures into.  Now you can rummage around your cupboards for bowls, baskets, or .   .   . you can ‘step-out-of-the-box’ and CREATE! One of my choices is a vintage wooden crate that I will happily fill with a batch of freshly popped hot popcorn complete with a super duper scoop for filling individual bowls/baskets. Don’t have a scoop .   .   . no worries .   .   . a large mug will do the trick. As for salsas and other tasty touches, I use very colorful bowls for pops of fun.

What me worry? .   .   . welllll .   .   . maybe just a skosh, but certainly not enough to pack it in. Listen, if you all wanted the middle of the road kind of creating, tablescaping, and entertaining, you definitely wouldn’t be reading my weekly antics .  .   . right? Zzzzzzzzzzzz’s .  .   . yawwwn, oooops that was me almost falling asleep with the mere thought of a ho hum existence!!!

Whether it’s a sit down dinner, grab & go buffet or an all out formal affair, it’s ALL about feeding ALL of  your senses .  .   . including your funny bone.

Don’t forget clusters of votives in cups, to be used as up lights that are always flattering, but not intrusive. (trim wick to 1/4”- 3/8” before burning) Please burn candles responsibly.

Sharon Insul is the former owner of the popular Beverly Hills boutique Candle light and…

© 2014 Sharon Insul / Tableofferings. All rights reserved (Text and Photography)

I WELCOME YOUR COMMENTS and QUESTIONS  .   .   . sharons3@me.com

Shop on line @http://www.shop.tableofferings.com® for one-of -a-kind finds for your tablescape and home decor.