Blog Party#6: Retro Party

Happy New Year, everyone!

January first has snuck up on us (let's see a show of hands: how many are wondering where the last year went?), and in addition to the start of a new year, it's time for this month's Blog Party announcement.

Hey, I'm always happy to get your day off to a good start. And what could be more exciting, more fabulous, than planning for another Blog Party?

No, really. What??? I'm curious.

If I weren't so incredibly modest, I'd assume everyone in blogdom already knew about Blog Party. That there couldn't possibly be the need to explain our swingin', too-cool-for-the-mainstream, event.

But, modest I am, so Blog Party expo to follow!



Blog Party is a virtual cocktail party for food bloggers. It's a chance to make those little bites and fantastic drinks we all love, but never make. Blog Party is about taking time for us: setting aside some time to cook (which, clearly, we all love), to prepare appetizers we want to eat but never get around to. And best of all, it's about getting together, albeit via the Web, with like-minded friends.

On the first day of each month, I announce a theme for Blog Party. Past themes have included Tiki, Big Game Night, and Holiday.

Food bloggers who want to join in have the next few weeks to think up or find recipes to go with the theme. One of the 'rules' for Blog Party is that each guest is to 'bring' both an hors d'oeurves and a drink, in accordance with the theme.

Make the foods and cocktails/mocktails you'd love to have at your own party. Better yet? Host a real cocktail party!

Either way, make your dishes and post your entry (with pictures, preferably) to your blog. Post at any time. Send me your links by the third Thursday of the month (email address is provided below). That Saturday, I post a round-up...though we like to think of it as introducing our guests, and the amazing food they've brought along.

In addition, I also include some party tips: decorating ideas and sources, as well as themed-music selections.

By the end of the night, we've all made some friends and discovered new recipes. And frankly, had a good time without all the calories. And Best of all, you can add the new dishes to your own cocktail party repertoire!

Now, for the 'rules'.

What, in my opinion, qualifies as cocktail food:

• Finger foods: anything that can be picked up, carried around and eaten with one hand...the use of the second hand as crumb catcher is perfectly acceptable


• Dippers: vegetables, crackers, bread, chips, breadsticks and any inventive foods which are used for scooping or spreading dips and uh...spreads


• Miniature meals: by this, I mean a normal-sized dish, cut or displayed as individual servings. A quiche, cut into small enough pieces to be eaten in less than four bites would be accepted.

Ok; now that we have all that out of the way...our Blog Party refresher course...it's time to get to this month's theme!

While the rest of the world is looking ahead to what 2006 will bring, we here at Blog Party are looking back; that's right, this month, we're going Retro!

For January's party, we're going back in time.

By 'Retro', I'm talking 1940's to 1960's. The foods, the drinks, the fads of the Atomic Age.

Pre-World War II through to the beginning of the Space Race.

What you do with these guidelines is up to you. Don't know what was being served during the Fifties (hey, I'm too young to know that, as well)? Ask your parents. Grandparents. Look up old women's magazines.

But keep it retro. And keep it fun.

Start thinking about your dishes, and if you have any questions at all, drop a line at thehappysorceress at gmail dot com. Entries are due 19 January, and I'll post the round-up on the 21st.

So, break out the Jell-o molds and Ritz crackers. Ladies, dig out the pearls and guys? Sports coats required!

We're having a Retro Party!!!

Hope to see you there.


Tagged with
Food and Drink, Blog Party, Retro, Blogging, Events, Cocktails, Appetizers