Simple Gatherings

Create Memorable Gatherings with Simplicity and Style Welcoming friends and family into your home doesn't have to be intimidating! These 50 affordable and inspired ideas from bestselling author Melissa Michaels will help you turn any get-together into a special memory. Simplify tasks and focus on what guests remember most: the atmosphere, feast, conversation, and special touches. Reduce stress when you embrace your authentic hosting style, easy DIYs, and the freedom of using what you have. Celebrate people as the centerpiece of any gathering with simple activities that spark conversation and connection. With more than 300 tips for a variety of gatherings—from a casual outdoor barbeque to a creative guest-of-honor dessert--you'll feel inspired to open your door with confidence! * * * "Simple Gatherings invites us all to check hospitality fears and perfectionism at the door. The helpful tips and creative ideas inside will inspire even the most reluctant hostess to take that first step toward creating space for a simple but memorable experience." Sandy Coughlin, Reluctant Entertainer (blog)

The acclaimed cookbook author shares creative new dishes that bring Mediterranean inspiration to the seasonal ingredients of the Pacific Northwest. Eva Kosmas Flores finds inspiration in her Greek heritage and the bountiful produce of her garden in Oregon. She uses both to craft her seasonal and approachable recipes, each paired with a mouthwatering image. Showcasing her unforgettable, atmospheric photography style, First We Eat is a gorgeous reference on seasonal cooking that celebrates the beauty of the Pacific Northwest, Mediterranean influences, effortless and stylish presentations, and simple preparations, all designed to share with friends and family.

Sometimes a small project is what you're looking for, but that shouldn't mean you have to go short on style. Packed with 13 spectacular small quilts that are perfect for decorating your home (ideas galore in the photos inside!), author Lisa Bongean of Primitive Gatherings shares her best tips and tricks for precisely piecing small quilts, so you can start and finish with ease. Make several to create a grouping of mini quilts. Set up a charming vignette with a small quilt as the backdrop. Or make your little quilt the star of the show by framing it. Because, when it comes to little quilts and little gatherings, there's always room for one more!

Entertaining starts with setting a fabulous table. In Courtney Allison’s signature French Country Cottage style, she showcases a myriad of romantic table settings for every occasion. Courtney provides the styling expertise to host your own French Country Cottage–inspired gathering, whether in the backyard, at the beach, under an old oak tree, or in a country barn. A simple picnic; coffee by the lake; a cheese board for friends outdoors; a bistro table for two; a long table for a formal meal—each setting exhibiting Allison’s dreamy style for you to emulate. The pièce de résistance in every venue, any setting, is the gorgeous arrangements of seasonal flowers; Courtney’s bouquets will take your breath away from spring to fall, for outdoors and inside.

Security has become one of the most important aspects of sport mega-event organisation. This book explores how Rio de Janeiro was imagined and transformed into a security fortress when the 2014 Men's World Cup and the 2016 Olympics came to the city and how the fortress was nonetheless permeable and porous. Dennis Pauschinger experienced exceptional backstage access at high level in the Brazilian mega-event security architecture as well as at street level with the local public security sphere. His ethnographic account takes us from the hidden world of surveillance and control centres, to the security perimeters around stadiums, and to the mundane routine of police officers during day and night shifts at local police stations or at the Special Forces' headquarters. This book shows how police officers' emotions and Special Forces' war narratives impact the static and technology-based security models at mega-events and how traditional patterns of police work, along lines of class and racial inequalities, still prevail and shape the city's public security. The book argues against the common narrative of the positive impacts of mega-event security legacies upon host cities by advancing towards a general understanding of how security governance is carried out in places where the use of digital security technologies co-exists with overly lethal and repressive forms of policing.

"Hosts of all kinds, this is a must-read!" --Chris Anderson, owner and curator of TED From the host of the New York Times podcast Together Apart, an exciting new approach to how we gather that will transform the ways we spend our time together—at home, at work, in our communities, and beyond. In The Art of Gathering, Priya Parker argues that the gatherings in our lives are lackluster and unproductive--which they don't have to be. We rely too much on routine and the conventions of gatherings when we should focus on distinctiveness and the people involved. At a time when coming together is more important than ever, Parker sets forth a human-centered approach to gathering that will help everyone create meaningful, memorable experiences, large and small, for work and for play. Drawing on her expertise as a facilitator of high-powered gatherings around the world, Parker takes us inside events of all kinds to show what works, what doesn't, and why. She investigates a wide array of gatherings--conferences, meetings, a courtroom, a flash-mob party, an Arab-Israeli summer camp--and explains how simple, specific changes can invigorate any group experience. The result is a book that's both journey and guide, full of exciting ideas with real-world applications. The Art of Gathering will forever alter the way you look at your next meeting, industry conference, dinner party, and backyard barbecue--and how you host and attend them.

Dive into the flourishing world of urban greenery with "The Urban Gardener's Handbook" – your comprehensive guide to transforming any small space into a thriving, sustainable garden. Whether you have a cozy balcony, a sunny windowsill, or just a little corner in your kitchen, this eBook provides you with an abundance of inspiration and practical advice to embark on your gardening journey. Can you imagine the satisfaction of plucking fresh herbs right from your windowsill as you cook or harvesting vegetables from your very own rooftop garden? "The Urban Gardener's Handbook" will show you how, in clear, easy-to-follow steps. From understanding the microclimate of your urban oasis to learning how to cultivate edible landscapes with finesse and creativity, each chapter in this guide opens up new possibilities for the modern city dweller keen to delve into gardening. You'll delve deeply into the philosophy of small-space gardening, appreciating the intricacies of your unique urban environment. Learn to analyze sunlight, maximize vertical space, and master container gardening to create a lush retreat in the heart of the city. With dedicated sections on soil health, homemade compost solutions, and an entire chapter on clever container strategies, you're set to create a flourishing garden no matter the size of your space. Need to find eco-friendly techniques for watering or pest control? "The Urban Gardener's Handbook" covers that too! It equips you with the know-how for drip irrigation systems, rainwater harvesting, companion planting, and encourages beneficial insects in your garden. You'll even find sage advice on selecting the perfect plants for your climate, planning your seasonal garden activities, and embracing community and social aspects of urban gardening. Whether you're planning to grow leafy greens in limited spaces, propagate herbs for your culinary adventures, or entice pollinators with a vibrant selection of flowers, this eBook has you covered for every season. You’ll learn how to harvest and store your produce for maximum freshness, extend your gardening into the colder months, and join a blossoming community of city gardeners forging a greener, more sustainable path. "The Urban Gardener's Handbook" isn't just a source of gardening wisdom; it's a call to action. It's a pledge to reclaim, cultivate, and revel in nature's bounty, no matter where you are. So roll up your sleeves and prepare to transform your urban dwelling into a testament to green growth and harmony – your garden awaits!

Small bites and treats to share The best gatherings are simple, yet somehow special. They might begin with an impromptu picnic after shopping at the farmer’s market or a late lunch with neighbors that stretches into cocktails under the stars. Whatever the occasion, this picture-perfect cookbook shows how to turn any meal into a delectable affair. These effortless recipes for brunch, teatime, happy hours, picnics, potlucks, and dessert all include a whimsical twist: a few slices of French toast doused in lavender syrup, rainbow chard empanadas served with pistachio crema, or a vibrant purple cauliflower hummus. With tips on creating an inviting table, stocking a pantry to make last-minute nibbles, and packing delicious parting gifts for guests, Food with Friends will inspire any get-together, however large or small.