Guests Diana Hesch and Carmel Owens: Entertaining Tips and Sausage Bread

Special Guest This week I had as guests two great Santa Fe natives who are both dear friends and great hostesses: Diana Hesch and Carmel Owens. They gave us some great tips to help you throw and enjoy your own events. The best ones were:

1. Plan ahead, make lists, do research, and organize
   
2. Don't be afraid to ask for help and delegate responsibility
   
3. Choose a menu that lets you do some cooking and freezing ahead of time
   
4. Look to your garden and natural environment for room and table decoration (Carmel says she uses scattered coffee beans, lots of votives, as well as fresh herbs)
   
5. Invite people you really enjoy
   
6. Relax and enjoy yourself!

Here is a great easy hors d'oeuvre recipe Diana serves when company comes:

Sausage Bread

Ingredients
1 lb. ground beef
1 lb. sausage
1 lb Velveeta cheese, cut into cubes
2 teaspoons oregano
Chopped green chile
1 1/2 loaves cocktail rye bread

Procedure
Brown ground beef and sausage, drain and return to low heat, add velveeta and stir until melted, then stir in oregano and green chile. Spread on cocktail rye bread. Broil for 8-10 minutes. To freeze: After spreading mixture on bread, put on cookie sheet and freeze. Once frozen, put in plastic bags until ready to use.