the Winner!

Last week, we asked readers to submit their most unusual stories of "entertaining dilemmas." It was a tough decision - we had some hilarious entries and loved them all, but "the Weigh-In" had our staff chuckling...thanks to Chuck.Lennon@state.mn.us, and congratulations! (you've gained more than just weight :)

This will be the 9th Annual Lennon Weigh-In, Weigh-Out Thanksgiving Dinner...

Each year, guests weigh in upon arrival and then weighs 'out' right after dinner.

The guest with the biggest weight gain (not necessarily the biggest eater) wins the 'paddle' trophy, which is engraved with the winners' name and weight gain.

We have had scandal. A couple of years ago my daughter's boyfriend Jake, a beast, drank several glasses of milk and a large amount of
water just before weigh-out. While he gained the most weight, my son also witnessed his immediate move to the restroom after the weigh-out, where he 'voided' most of his gain and was disqualified by the Board of Directors (me!)...

Since then we have instituted a new measurement to give the younger, smaller crowd a chance to win. Instead of total weight gain, we use the largest percentage of one's weight gained...which leveled the playing field.

Last year's winner was a darkhorse, The Honorable Judge Caroline Hagen Lennon, who sits on the court in Shakopee. While she confessed that her victory probably was the product of 'water weight' she earned the paddle anyway and thereby added some new prestige to the event.

While some may consider this uncouth, it is done with class and a lot of humor. It's talked about all year. Recently my nephew was in town playing rugby. At end of his game, his final words: "See you at the Lennon Thanksgiving."

the Fare

Normally, no-fuss means going out. Or ordering in. However, we've all felt the tug at our wallets lately, and as such, I've been making more of an effort at no-fuss parties at home. It's not an easy task for a party control freak such as myself, but it can be done...

There is a personality on cable that extols the virtues of semi-homemade. This isn't a bad idea. If you start with a good base, and embellish it just a little bit, it can become something wonderful with the smallest amount of effort.

I love the idea of surprising guests - just when they think they are getting foie gras, I serve them pizza. Take-out pizza, no less. Every neighborhood has a favorite pizza joint, and with a few additional sides (anchovies, hot pepper flakes, fresh Parmesan), you are good to go. (Just be sure to spruce up your platter with plenty of antipasti items to round out the meal).

To finish, you can't go wrong with chocolate. I like to lay a variety of truffles on a pretty platter, along with fresh berries and some dried fruits, such as apricots or cherries. But, if you choose really good chocolates, they need no embellishment. One of my absolute favorites is Chocolat Celeste - located in the Twin Cities, owner Mary Leonard has infused her truffles with a passion for perfection, and the result is an amazing assortment of unusual but delicious flavor combinations. Believe me, even if your main course is turkey meatloaf with ketchup on top, you'll be a rockstar at dessert if you serve these truffles.

Kiersa Notz, Creative Director, the Affair

the Flare

Throw a Low-Fuss Cookie Baking Party

As the holidays approach, the thought of planning or attending another party can be stressful, but there's always a low-fuss option available when deciding what type of party to throw. One of my favorite solutions is sharing the workload with your guests. For instance, why not have a cookie baking party and invite friends and family to join you for a low-key afternoon of rolling, cutting out and decorating cookies around the dining room table? Kids and adults can work together easily to transform a few bowls of dough into piles of warm, beautiful cookies for everyone to share. An informal set up works well - kids can wander off periodically to play when they get tired of decorating cookies, adults can watch the football game if they aren't as interested in the baking but want to enjoy the eating, and those who love to bake can enjoy managing the timers and bringing fresh cookies to decorate to the frosting station.

How to further distribute the work load? Ask friends to bring salty snacks for everyone to munch on, to balance all the cookies (and cookie dough). Designate one person to bring decorating supplies, such as sprinkles, red hots, jimmies, etc. Ask a couple of friends to bring baking sheets and cooling racks so that you will have enough to keep batches in constant rotation during peak production times. Someone can bring board games to amuse the kids between cutting out cookies and decorating them. If you don't have a pile of aprons in adult and kid sizes (like my mom who collects them), ask friends to bring their own. (Let's just say that when frosting is involved with kids, it's safer for all to have aprons handy).

Set up is easy: for rolling out and decorating cut-out cookies, I recommend covering the dining room table with plastic or oil cloth which you can easily wipe clean. Have bowls of frosting ready with plenty of knives or dip spreaders handy (small hands tend to find the small dip spreaders easier to maneuver when frosting cookies). Make a batch of cider or hot chocolate and keep it simmering on the stove, and you are all set!

Now, not everyone loves making cookie dough, so if you want to short cut this part of the party prep, pick up a couple tins of Lacey Sue Z. Yummy Cookie Mix at Golden Fig. Developed by local foodie personality, Sue Zelickson, these cookies will make you look like a great baker and humanitarian, because the proceeds from all sales benefit kid's charities. While you are at Golden Fig, pick up some of Laurie's delicious infused sugars. Try topping cookies made from a simple refrigerated sugar cookie dough with the cinnamon orange sugar or gingerbread sugar to transform them from humble to extraordinary!

Don't forget to encourage your guests to fill a tin with cookies to take home at the end of the party, so that everyone can continue to enjoy the delicious results of their hard work.

- Colleen Fox Slack, Home & Culinary, the Affair

the Style

the Style fashion show is gearing up to be a fantastic event! For only $65, (which includes a same day $25 Expo ticket), guests will enjoy a seated luncheon with champagne, as well as an hour and a half style show! The show will include fall & holiday women's fashions from Il Vostro Boutique, men's fashions from J.Hilburn and J.W. Hulme, home trends presented by Kerry Ciardelli, owner of Victory Boutique, a Jaguar surprise giveaway, and- we will close out with a special guest. There is also a little secret surprise...several table top designers will be decorating each of the tables at the show, going over the top to wow guests while they dine and watch the show. Don't miss this incredibly stylish and spectacular event! Each table seats 10 guests, so grab 9 girlfriends and prepare to enjoy the Style, followed by an afternoon at the Expo! You can buy your tickets online at www.theaffairmpls.com, or at Il Vostro Boutique.

- Sarah Ramsay, Fashion & Lifestyle, the Affair

the Bag

Having trouble finding a handbag that suits your style? Think you have the knack to design your own bag, selecting fabric, shape, size and trim? Then you would love Bagolitas! It allows the customer to build and create their own special handbag, providing a variety of fabric and unique trims. You can even throw a purse party, and invite all your friends to create their own hangbags! First, you pick from over 20 shapes and sizes, ranging from cute party clutches to functional day bags. Then you choose from over 70 fabrics, including animal prints from the entire animal kingdom, faux suede and leathers, paisleys, flowers, polka dots and plaids. Then select your trim and you are finished! What a fun concept and a great party idea! Check out Jana Hecker's Bagolitas booth at the Expo, or visit her website, www.bagolitas.com. Jana is also having a "Monster Mash" sale October 27th - 31st! More details on her website.

- Sarah Ramsay, Fashion & Lifestyle, the Affair