Everyday Celebrations From Scratch

March 11, 2022

Provenzano's visually attractive guide to entertaining is filled with party ideas for all ages--craft projects, party ideas, food menus, and recipes (from the author's Italian and Midwestern American roots). She writes that the book should reflect an ethos of present mindfulness, celebrating the small moments of everyday life. Each chapter follows the same format: an introductory essay, a small craft project, recipes for the celebration, and useful tips interspersed throughout. The book emphasizes DIY as opposed to buying pre-made items, but the lists of tools and supplies for each celebration are lengthy, and some items are expensive and may be hard to locate; it would have greatly benefited from adding a list of sources to find tricky items or suggestions for substitutions that may be more readily available. Another weakness is a lack of safety and sanitation procedures, critical in this COVID-conscious era. The section on beverages has cocktail recipes but no mocktails, and the book doesn't suggest vegan- or allergy-friendly substitutions. VERDICT A useful resource to cull ideas, with the caveat that its advice mostly applies to homes with ample storage space, budgets, and time. An optional purchase.--Marjorie Mann

Copyright 2022 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 1, 2022
With 100 how-to's from recipes to crafts, Provenzano offers a variety of ways to celebrate friends and family and "commemorate all the good in your life." It could be via weeknight meals, from "Making Messes Monday" (personalized place mats is one idea) to "Friday Fete," complete with homemade confetti. Family takes center stage before remaining chapters focus on friendship, sports, and seasons. In every category, each celebration features at least three dishes and one DIY project. For recipes, expect comfort foods without high gastronomic touches, ranging from overnight oats and loaded veggie nachos to spaghetti and more. Chocolate mousse with cookie crumble topping, anyone? Provenzano's truly outstanding contributions are the tips found in both individual instructions and the book's mini-sections: pointers for grazing boards, book club topics, how to create memories. The ultimate book for happy crafting and eating together.

COPYRIGHT(2022) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

May 2, 2022
Lifestyle television personality Provenzano, of the Hallmark Channel’s Home & Family, offers readers ways to “get the party started” in this entertaining collection of recipes and DIY projects. The “dedicated do-it-yourselfer” organizes her chapters around occasions that “are perfect for a touch of jollification”—from celebrating weeknight meals to hosting “books-optional” book clubs with friends. A game-plan for “Taco Tuesdays” recommends three different ways to create pom-pom napkin rings, alongside a recipe for slow-cooker chicken tacos, while a section on self-care instructs readers on how to make their own aloe and rosewater face mist. Busy parents will appreciate the abundance of fun, family-friendly ideas on offer: for picnic outings, Provenzano offers tips on creating personalized tables with breakfast-in-bed trays and nontoxic acrylic paint, as well as fruit and brownie kebabs that the kids can assemble at home. No recipe or craft goes without a dose of helpful advice (to create clay wine glass tags, Provenzano suggests using cornstarch for dusting to prevent sticking), and Provenzano’s delightful anecdotes about her own family (“Grandpa Provenzano would always have a red-and-white checked tablecloth on his table when we would have pasta”) add a sweet personal touch. Those looking for a reason to celebrate life’s little moments will find no shortage of inspiration. Agent: Eryn Kalavsky, Salky Literary.