Jill enjoyed a great evening at the School of Hospitality Management’s EEMO meeting (Endicott Event Management Organization) with a group of enthusiastic event management students and 5 other event professionals for a career development session. The students were impressive with their thoughtful questions and the group enthusiastically shared their pearls of wisdom! A special “THANKS” to Dr. Robson for arranging this terrific night.
We enjoyed a wonderful day with 1000 human service providers from across the Commonwealth as they celebrated, reflected, congratulated and were educated and inspired at the 36th Annual Convention and Expo held at the Marriott Copley. Keynote speaker Travis Roy was an inspiration as he shared his life story. The Awards of Excellence presentation, honoring 12 individuals and businesses, was another highlight of the day with music performances created by Howard Boles of Lyrical Edge Productions and Fields of Vision. A special thanks to the sponsors and exhibitors for their support of the Providers’ Council.
What a wonderful evening hosted by Sal DeGeorge and the staff at the Taj Boston. The hotel was beautiful adorned bringing guests into a journey of discovery about the background of the Taj, its founder, the release of a wonderful book about the history of the brand and a celebration of Diwali – the festival of lights! Thanks Joe Toto of Groove Entertainment for the exquisite lighting and draping effects!
What a wonderful weekend – enthusiastic and hardworking groomsmen setting up the lights in the grape arbors and fences, cheerful and relaxed bride not worrying about the weather, proud and loving parents and partying friends and family – and – mother-nature cooperated with overcast skies making for great photos and the sun peeking out during dinner for a gorgeous sunset! Thank you Kristen and Mike (and Denise, Gus, and others who made our planning experience so fabulous!) Take a peek!
We were lucky to be asked to help congratulate this wonderful couple with a dinner party – tented in the backyard – hosted on a cool early fall evening. We had fun dressing the clear sided tent with shimmery taupe fabric (2 levels to compensate for the 10 foot walls due to the connection to the patio and steps to the terrace). Hot pink and cranberry red were the brides color choices-showcased in centerpieces set on top of celedon satin linens, complemented with monogrammed cocktail napkins and a buffet and bar with wooden tub beer coolers and silver wine urns. Take a look at set up, detailing of the tent connections and side, covering the sidewalls with our fire-retardant silky fabric, appointments with florals, neutral linens, and a final look at dismantle with half the sidewalls dressed and half plain – what a difference and what a party!
Special thanks to Be Our Guest and J. G. Willis Tents.
OK – so we work hard, we are busy and it’s so easy to stop work and scurry off to your favorite restaurant for a cold glass of Savignon Blanc or Harpoon IPA. BUT….if you visit your local Farmer’s Market or have a Farm Share – make use of it! Here are some super easy and super yummy ideas for a light and healthy and filling summer supper!
Shucked corn ready to be boiled (8 minutes only!)
Steaks sprinkled with seasoning
Heirloom tomatoes with fresh mozzarella and purple basil from our farm share at Powisett
Scallops with dill, butter and lemon
Fresh greens with just a toss of chopped red onion (add blue cheese for an extra kick) and Fanny's dressing!
It all comes together for the Pescatarian - Greens, Caprese salad and Scallops
And for the Carnivore - Salad, Caprese and Steak!
And for dessert....corn on the cob! Yum...with butter, sour cream, salt and pepper!
We all have our favorite fruits, but mine, by far is the fair blueberry! So many great ways to use them – frozen with milk poured on top for a frosty treat, tossed in a bowl of cereal, whirred in your blender with yoghurt, milk or juice, or best yet on top a heaping scoop of UCONN vanilla ice cream! Yummm!
If you want to create a treat to share, consider baking a cake or loaf. Invite a friend over for tea or champagne and partake in this wonderful seasonal delight. Here are some recipes from area blueberry lovers courtesy of the Boston Globe.
Blueberry cake with streusel topping – The Boston Globe
Blueberry loaf cake – The Boston Globe
Glazed blueberry cake – The Boston Globe
Here are some tips on working with Blueberries from Boston Globe writer Janine Sciarappa -
- Butter and flour the baking pan. If you want to turn a cake out of its pan, butter the pan, add a piece of parchment paper cut to fit the bottom, then butter and flour the paper. For Bundt pans that cause you problems, butter the pan, freeze it, and butter a second time.
- Toss the blueberries in 1 tablespoon of the measured flour. This helps prevent them from sinking in the cake.
- When using frozen blueberries, measure them, then keep in the freezer. Fold them into the batter just before baking; this prevents blue streaks from forming.
- Add a pinch of salt to baked goods. It enhances the other flavors.
- If a cake begins with the standard creaming method — in which the butter is creamed in a mixer, then sugar is beaten in — finish the cake by adding the flour alternately with the milk, beginning and ending with flour.
- Let a cake cool completely before trying to remove it from the baking pan. This prevents the cake from breaking.
We were thrilled to work with Caitlin and Chris on their Aug 2010 wedding at Elm Bank. Take a peek at the latest issue of the Knot – Boston Magazine (www.theknot.com) for an up-close look!
Life is good for jsmoran special events!
The International Special Events Society (ISES) announced that jsmoran special events was nominated for two ESPRIT Awards for “Best ISES Team Effort ($75,000-$200,000)” and “Best Event for a Nonprofit Organization ($75,000-$200,000)” for the firm’s work on Family Service of Greater Boston’s 175th Anniversary Gala. Jill Moran is now a seven-time nominee and a three-time recipient of the industry award. The winners will be announced at EventWorld in St. Louis, MO in August.
In 2010, Moran was the ESPRIT winner for “Best Industry Contribution” for her work on the book, How to Start a Home-Based Wedding Planning Business.
View the nominees here.
Help us get to #1!
jsmoran special events has been nominated by Boston.com’s A-List as Best Wedding Planner!
