Robert and Paulette Gordon, Jeffrey Gordon, and Kyler and Stephanie Kanady were at the party in the Gordon home.  (Photo provided).

Stephanie and Kyler Kanady were honorees at a “Candy Land and Cocktails” baby shower in the home of Paulette and Robert Gordon. Hostesses were Elizabeth Gillum, Phebe Kallstrom, Jami VanCamp, Jennifer Wallace and Marsha Wooden.

Large lollipops, hard candy and a glittering Candy Land game board was on the table. Large pink bows and life- sized candy decorated the living areas of the house. The library was decorated like a nursery and all the gifts for the baby-to-be were set there.

Foods included spring rolls, marinated kabobs, cupcakes, cookies, cake pops and pecan cups. Rock candy, giant gumballs and chocolate almonds were in large martini glasses.

 Chocolate pretzels, cherries, potato chips were wrapped with paper and pink ribbons and personalized with the baby’s name, Olivia Grace, who is due in March.

Among the 75 guests were Anne and Ed Dalton, Helen and Jorge Noriega, Sherry and Raymond Cohlmia, Lynette and Clark Hyde, Charles Lutz, Mary Anne Malone, Jane and Kurt Fleischfresser, Michel Buthion, Alain Buthion, Seyan, Leigh and Virginia Hefner.

By Callie Gordon, Lillie-Beth Brinkman, Helen Ford Wallace

YOU ASK! WE ANSWER! YOU DECIDE!

QUESTION: Is there a proper way to juggle your food and drink at the buffet table at a party? Recently, I had my plate full of finger foods and I had my drink in my hand, too. I set my glass down on the buffet table every time I added food. I guess I should have gotten my drink later, but at that time, I just had my hands full. Any ideas?
CALLIE’S ANSWER: Leave your drink at the table if that is possible. If it is not possible, place your glass somewhere and then go through the line. That way you don’t have to juggle your drink and food. Go back and get it when you are finished with the line.
LILLIE-BETH’S ANSWER: I have heard this dilemma explained recently to fifth- and sixth-graders taking cotillion classes. They are taught to hold their plates, drinks and napkins in their left hands so their right hands are free to shake hands or get food on their plates. It takes a bit of practice to juggle these items properly, and it is especially awkward for tweens who are trying to learn the basics, such as making eye contact during an introduction.

However, it’s possible: You can place the plate between two of your fingers and then anchor the drink on the edge of the plate between your thumb and forefinger to make it work.

Otherwise, leave your drink on the table when you get your food or set it down and get a new drink after you’ve gone through the buffet line.
HELEN’S ANSWER: The balancing act of holding both a drink and a plate gets a little tricky sometimes. I have seen people drop both the plate and the glass while trying to maneuver through the food line. And I have tried the method of setting the drink on the buffet table as I added food, but it definitely was awkward and I held up the line behind me while I found a place to put my glass every time I added food.
I think that it is better to fill your plate and then get a drink. If you are already holding a drink, set it at your table while you go through the buffet line. If you don’t have a place for it, put it down, and get a fresh glass later.
GUEST’S ANSWER: Ree Drummond, author of The Pioneer Woman blog, cookbooks and others and host of Food Network show: I’ll be honest, if there’s an etiquette rule regarding juggling cocktail party food and drinks, I never did learn it.
Sometimes I rest my drink on the plate, then build food around it. Sometimes I do what you did and set the drink on the table as I go.
But my favorite trick is sitting down at one of the tables and asking my husband to go load up a plate of food for me! I think this is one of those situations that’s open to many different approaches. The most important thing is to have fun…and enjoy those nibbles!

Linda Garrett, Cathy Leichter and Connell Branan talk on Parties Extra! about the The Societies of Oklahoma City University Awards of Excellence Dinner.

Haley Tran and Ellen Price create artwork at the Jimmy Everest Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. (Photo provided).

“Art With A Heart” is Feb. 25th from 6 until 9 p.m. in the new Atrium of Children’s Hospital. It is the 10th annual Delta Delta Delta Alumni event and features artwork of children receiving treatment at the Jimmy Everest Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s Hospital of Oklahoma.

The young artists created the artwork which will be available at a silent auction.  They will also attend the party and will be recognized for their accomplishments. Proceeds from the event will  benefit the Oklahoma Children’s Cancer Association.

Hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar will be available. Tickets are $30. You can buy them in advance or at the door. Contact Cindy Hazelwood, 843-2507, or Diane Cooke, 755-9795, for information. The web site is www.artwithaheartokc.com

Kelly Dyer Fry                                                           Linda Whittington

Debbie Schramm                                                 Lisa McLaughlin

Masie Bross

Five women will be honored at the Association for Women in Communications Byliner Awards Banquet set for March 1 at the Skirvin Hilton Hotel. This is the 54th annual event.

Honorees are Linda Whittington, Business; Debbie Schramm, Communications; Masie Bross, Child Advocacy; Lisa McLaughlin, Education, and Kelly Dyer Fry, Journalism.

The event will have a reception and then dinner. Tickets are $75. for all past honorees and AWC members and $100. for other guests. To order tickets call 272-2207 or go to www.awcokc.org.

By Callie Gordon, Lillie-Beth Brinkman, Helen Ford Wallace

QUESTION: When I am having lunch with a friend, I cannot decide who should go first into the eating area.  Who should have the best view? The best seat? I always defer to the other person instead of barreling on ahead, but is there a correct way to decide who goes first?

CALLIE’S ANSWER: I have never even thought about this. If this person is your friend they  will tell you if they care where they sit. This is more about the company you’re with. Who cares where you sit?

LILLIE-BETH’S ANSWER: The great part about having this etiquette dilemma is that you only have a moment or two of awkwardness and then you get to enjoy lunch with a friend. Either way, your friend probably won’t be offended and you won’t either.

Offer to let your friend go ahead of you, and then she will pick the seat. If you’re a woman eating with a man, the “ladies first” custom still applies, although let him suggest that order if it’s he’s going to. Or just let the traffic flow naturally.  Usually it’s clear who should go first by where either of you are positioned. And if on a particular occasion, you need a certain seat in the restaurant for a specific reason, speak up and say why nicely.

HELEN’S ANSWER: It is always courteous to let your friend go first, but sometimes that is awkward and if you are in front, then you should go on. Mostly, the person who does go first chooses where to sit. Use your best judgment and enjoy your lunch!

GUEST’S ANSWER: Linda Miller, author of NewsOK’s Fashion Matters blog: I really don’t think it’s important who gets the best view or best seat. When dining with a friend, I’m there for good conversation and good food. The view is secondary, though usually tables are situated so more than one person can look out at the lake, golf course or garden.

As far as who enters the dining area first, I think it should be whoever is closest to the hostess. That seems the easiest manner to me.