Sticks and stones

After a few days out of town and now a busy week with several parties and a wedding, I am stealing time away to post this week's blog.

I am sure you wondered what my "sticks and stones" blog would be about. That old playground song of "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" couldn't be farther from the truth. Words do hurt and last longer than any bruise that comes from the sticks and stones. In my industry I tell my clients that what I do is the fluff stuff of any event. People will notice if there is no decor, but few could tell you five details about a room setup. What makes an event great are the guests. Here's where the hard part comes in. How do you narrow a guest list down when you have limited space or budget to accomodate eveyone you would like to have attend? And then there is that problem of : if you invite so and so then you HAVE to invite another 6 - 10 more people in that circle. And people do get their feelings hurt if they are left out of a great event. If I have an event that has a real issue with the number of guests, I try to imagine that I am asking guests to Thanksgiving Dinner. If it would be weird if I asked them, they are marked off the list. If they would invite me to Thanksgiving Dinner, then they are a definite invitee. And the thinning process continues. Writing their name on a "deleted" list is painful, to you and them.

And what if you invite them, but not their children? When my daughter was young, I looked forward to being invited to parties and hiring a sitter. When else could I have a great time at someone else's expense and all it cost me was a sitter? I am continually amazed when people get their feelings hurt because their children weren't invited. It should be no reflection on how the hosts feel about the children. The hosts usually love the children. But, for example, if alcohol is being served, I don't feel like this is a party atmosphere that parents would want their children to be exposed to. Still, it causes many hurt feelings to create an "adult only" party or reception.

THEN, there is the seating chart! Another opportunity to mess with people's emotions. "How come Susie got to sit by the honored table and I got put back in the back of the room?" I am always amazed that people somehow think they have to "live" at the table where they are seated. They only have to eat there. Then the room is open for mingling. I wish more guests would embrace this concept. Good luck with this one. As a single female, my personal preference is NOT to be seated with all of the other single females. I enjoy the conversation of men and couples and love to intermingled with them at a table. Again, writing a name to sit at a certain table can hurt some people's feelings.

NANCY'S CUTTING GARDEN:Back on track with alphabetical flower list -

Achillea, commonly known as yarrow, is named for the mythological Greek god Achilles, who is said to have used some of this plant's more than 100 species for medicinal purposes. Today, yarrow's blooms populate garden walks and floral designs alike, while herbalists continue to use the plant for its fever-reducing, skin-cleansing and wound-healing properties.
Availability and Vase Life
February through September. 4-7 days.
Design Uses
An interesting addition to mixed summer arrangements. Yarrow dries easily and is long lasting for use in dried designs.

Next week: More tunes!