Well it’s that time of year again – the setting of our New Year’s resolutions. I can’t help but think of the one I make myself every year. "Slow down. Take time to enjoy the beauty of life -- my home, friends, family and hobbies." Like everyone, some years I do better than others!

This year, New Year’s resolutions seem to carry even more importance, given everything that is going on in the world. I think it has forced all of us to step back and reassess our priorities, how we spend our time, our money.

Many of us have responded with fewer dinners out, paired back vacations and "Do I really need another pair of shoes?"

Both my parent’s and in-laws experienced the great depression. I can’t say they suffered because of it. They are/were tough, grounded and seem to always find the right balance between enjoying life and excess.

We’ve been very busy this summer enhancing MemorableEntertaining.com for you and future members.

Above and beyond our weekly additions:

• New wines
• Summer menus
• Party Tip resources
• Toasts & Sparkling Conversation: Table Topic Cards
• Party Ideas: “The Girl’s Night Out Box of Questions”
• Time Savers: Lentil Salad with Black Bean Salsa
• Outdoor Entertaining: Colorful Collection of Coated Table Linens
• Recent Discoveries: A reasonably priced Pinot Noir from Oregon
• Linens: a new resource for sophisticated table mats to create a modern alternative in tabletop dressing
• Party Ideas: a new twist on M & M’s
• In the News
• Customer Testimonials: Check out what members are saying about MemorableEntertaining.com
• Non-member Registration for our “What’s Ahead” newsletter
• Purchase Gift Certificates: members can now log-in, click on Membership, click on Purchase Gift Certificates and bypass the registration process.

Under Development:

• Flower Arranging Video
• Resources for Party Invitations

My husband and I are in the process of remodeling our home. We are in to month ten and becoming quite cranky. If we’re lucky, our house may be back together by the holidays.

You may ask why I am sharing this with you. Remodeling, usually involves “editing” the possessions we’ve accumulated along the way, and I’ve found with that process comes some surprises.

Many years ago my mother gave me her old Universal Sewing machine. My grandmother gave it to her over 60 years ago. I’ve used it to make stuffed animals for the children I babysat for in high school, my first, and last, blouse and a set of balloon drapes for the kitchen of the first home my husband and I bought.

Our remodel project has displaced this ancient sewing machine, which still works like a charm, by the way and prompted a conversation as well as a reaction that took me totally by surprise. As my husband and I were trying to decide where the sewing machine would now “live’ he asked me if I had an emotional attachment to it.

I don’t know of a single woman who doesn’t have “the little black dress” that can be pulled out at a moments notice and accessorized or the “power suit” she reserves for an important meeting or appointment. When she dons either one, she knows she looks like a million bucks and enters a room confident, ready to take on the world.

“The Little Black Dress” principle can be applied to entertaining. After years of entertaining I have a full proof menu and Tablescape for each season. It creates a totally stress free environment for me because I already know it will taste and look great. Everything comes together quickly, remember, I’ve done it before! No concerns about how a new recipe will turn out or whether the dishes I bought will work with the tablecloth and flowers selected.

MemorableEntertaining.com is all about saving you time and giving you the resources, tips and ideas you need to entertain in a stress free environment with grace and style.

Check out our “Sophisticated Summer Barbecue for 6 or 8”, under Spring/Summer Menus. While somewhat time consuming, it is well worth the effort if you are hosting a special event. A number of the dishes or components of the dishes can be made in advance.

I’ve made this menu on two separate occasions – Mother’s Day and a Summer Garden Party. On the first occasion my nine year nephew turned to me and said “Aunt Dee Dee this is awesome!” The first reaction, guests had, as I started serving food at the Summer Garden Party was, “Who is going to eat all this food!” As everyone started eating and smiles appeared on their faces, I new my guests were in a “happy place”. The issue of too much food seems to have been quickly forgotten as I cleared away the empty platters of food.

Members, MemorableEntertaining.com has been asked to contribute articles to “Chicago Home Improvement Magazine”. So, if you live in the Chicago area, look for articles from MemorableEntertaing.com in the coming year.

MemorableEntertaining.com was also featured in the Sunday, May 25, 2008 Business Section of the Daily Herald, a Chicago newspaper.

Our Press Release, announcing the official launch of MemorableEntertaining.com was noted in a number of publications.

Including:

• Wall Street Journal Market Watch
• Houston Chronicle
• Yahoo Finance
• ABC News, Channel 8, Lincoln, Nebraska
• KRON4 Bay Area News Station, San Francisco
• ABC News, KAIT8, Jonesboro, Arkansas
• Examiner.com, Chicago
• PC Quote.com

We will be adding a new section to MemorableEntertaining.com titled, “In the News”. Visit this section to find out about MemorableEntertaining.com speaking engagements, seminars, classes; magazine and newspaper articles or radio and TV appearances.

A note to those of you, who have yet to join the MemorableEntertaining.com community. We will be adding an option for you to sign-up and receive our monthly “What’s Ahead” e-mail.

Members, in addition to the weekly ideas added to Memorable Entertaining.com, we’ve also added two new Spring/Summer Menus for you to enjoy: “Summer Barbecue for 6 or 8” and “Summer Picnic”.

You will also find several new wines under “Recent Discoveries” and new resources noted on the home page of “Party Ideas” for imaginative gift bags and sophisticated and stylish party favors.

“What’s Ahead” gives you a three-month preview of upcoming additions to your entertaining community, MemorableEntertaing.com

Write in and let me know what’s on your mind!

Our goal: To be a comprehensive resource that gives you all the tools you need to create Memorable Entertaining experiences in your home.

Our promise: We will strive to continually grow and change our web home for you, in ways that are meaningful and add value.

The result: Guests who wait in anticipation for your next invitation!

It’s that time of year when we start thinking about barbecued ribs, roasted corn on the cob and a heaping serving of our favorite potato salad, which started me thinking about the very first time I had barbecue. An experience I remember for a number of reasons.

My mother was born and raised in the South. So every Christmas and summer vacation was spent in Birmingham, Alabama with my aunt, uncle and cousins.

One relative, fondly referred to as “Big Nick,” was known for his cooking, but especially his barbecued ribs. “Big Nick’s” barbecue was a custom built behemoth, fashioned from concrete blocks and produced some of the most awesome barbecue you’ve ever tasted.

I was all of about 7 or 8 years old when I tasted “Big Nick’s” barbecued ribs. All I can tell you is I don’t think I even chewed. I inhaled!!! They were the best things I had ever tasted.

I come from a long line of hostesses.

My grandmother was known for throwing parties that lasted for three days! I remember my aunt throwing an engagement party for her son when I was in grade school. It was around the time the “twist” was all the rage (I am dating myself). I remember thinking grown-ups were really crazy people as they all ran in to my aunt’s bathroom to grab towels to wrap around their hips so they could “twist”. My mother could pull a party together on a moments notice, which was lucky for her because she never knew when my father would be bringing someone home for dinner! In fact, after my first dance recital, my father was so proud he invited the whole audience to our house. My parents arrived home, mom was ready to go to bed and dad suggested, “Honey, you might want to wait a little bit.” About that time cars started showing up in our driveway. Mom started pulling food out of the cupboards. The party lasted until the wee hours of the morning.

Personally it is dangerous for me to walk into any store carrying china, crystal or linens. Basically, anything that involves the table! It never fails, something catches my attention, inspiration strikes and before you know it I’m filling up the shopping cart. This can happen while strolling the aisles at Home Goods, TJ Maxx, Crate & Barrel or Tiffany’s and everything in between. I have a walk-in china closet and rolling racks full of goodies to prove it. Fortunate for me – unfortunate for my husband who struggles finding places to store it all!

As I write this diary entry I recall a friend who received an invitation titled “Save the China Party”. Concerned that is was a party to raise money for children in China she accepted the invitation. Upon arriving at the party she learned the hostess was moving and her husband told her that any piece of china she didn’t use before they moved she had to give away. Thus a “Save the China Party” to rescue her every piece of china!

Mothers are pretty amazing. They always seem to know when you need a word of encouragement, a hug, pampering, a taste of your favorite foods or a sympathetic ear. They are tireless in giving of themselves. And no matter how old you are, you are always their child.

My own mother never ceases to amaze me. She knows, even if I don’t say a word, when I am upset or worried. It must be something that mothers are born with or kicks in when they first hold you -- that extra special “Mother Radar”.

My mother is stunning. At 82 people still stop her to tell her how lovely she looks. The consummate hostess, warm, understanding, absolutely fierce in protecting and defending her children, these are memories I will always hold in my heart.

As Mother’s Day approaches and I reminisce, what gives me pause is that even after 52 years I learn new things about my mother. Which makes me ask the question, “How well do we really know our mothers?”

Welcome to the first entry of "Debra's Diary."  "Debra's Diary" is the forum (on-line blog) for you, our entertaining community to share thoughts and ideas.

As I pondered what my first message to all of you should be, my thoughts kept coming back to how MemorableEntertaining.com came to be.

The seeds for Memorable Entertaining were probably planted in my mind from childhood. Because of my Greek heritage, food always figured prominently in my life. Cooking together and discussing recipes were part of family life growing up.

My grandfather, aunts and uncles owned restaurants around the U.S. (big surprise). I was known for filling the coffee milk pitchers, helping at the cash register and (I hate to admit) occasionally entertaining customers with my amateur song-and-dance routines. Combine this with a Southern mother known for her gracious entertaining, and voila. Memorable Entertaining was destined to be.

It took 32 years in corporate America and a milestone birthday to finally ask myself, "What do I love doing?" and to embrace the answer: entertaining and helping others successfully entertain.