Gatherings Podcast

And we're back, for Episode 1 of Season 2. During this episode, we got the chance to interview Joan Porambo and Kyle MacPherson from Field Notes, NY. During this episode they talk about how they started hosting dinners at the Lansing Farm in upstate New York. We talk about food, timing when cooking for so many people, and the logistics of hosting outdoors. We also get an insider's look at the life of a chef, which was really cool! A little more about Joan and Kyle: We're two school and industry educated chefs who are looking to gain a better appreciation for where the food we cook with comes from, and who grows it. In order to evolve and learn, we've teamed up with the Lansing family to do dinners on the farm each week, using crops from the surrounding fields. We hope to better understand what goes into growing the produce we use everyday, by not only cooking with it, but also by being a part the process from beginning to end.

• An Overview of Field Notes, NY
• • How they started hosting these dinners
  • What it means to be a chef
  • How Joan and Kyle met
  • What the setup looks like
  • The Table: Photo 1, Photo 2, Photo 3
• Let's Talk Food
• • The Courses
  • Seasonal Food
• Logistics
• • Timing the Food
  • Farm Kitchens
  • Favorite Tools
  • Outdoor Issues
• Decor
• When Two Chefs Host a Dinner Party
• What are you planning right now?
• • J&K: the future of Field Notes
  • Chrystina: The Blog Connect 2018
  • Jessica: dinner parties
• What's going on in your kitchen?
• • Jessica: sauerkraut and kimchi
  • J&K: braising stuff and stews
  • Chrystina: getting rid of beer
• How are you staying in touch?
• • Chrystina: thank you cards
  • J&K: going to the market
  • Jessica: she's not...
• What are you into right now?
• • Jessica: the garden
  • J&K: jarring and preserving and video games
  • Chrystina: project 7 Moscow mule gummies
• Find us online:
• • Field Notes, NY
  • • Facebook
    • Instagram
  • Gatherings Podcast
  • • Facebook
    • Twitter
  • Chrystina Noel
  • Sweet Love & Ginger

During Episode 10 (double digits!) of Gatherings Podcast, Jessica and Chrystina talk about holiday traditions from Thanksgiving through New Year's Eve - and even touch on Valentine's Day.

• Chrystina's Annual Christmas Party
• • Cookie swaps
  • Getting rid of cookies
• Jessica's Month of Thanksgiving
• • Slow food
  • Friendsgivings
  • Cinnamon Hot Cocoa
• Chrystina's Annual Mix CD
• Chrystina's Random Caroling Party
• Jessica's Family's Super Sundays
• Chrystina's Christmas Eve Traditions
• Jessica's New Year's Traditions
• What are you planning right now?
• • Jessica: cookie party, brother's birthday, and January get-togethers
  • Chrystina: another badass babes dinner
• What's going on in your kitchen?
• • Chrystina: artichokes
  • Jessica: turkey dinners
• How are you staying in touch?
• • Jessica: holiday cards
  • Chrystina: also holiday cards
• What are you into right now?
• • Chrystina: deva curl haircut
  • Jessica: blog photography
• Find us online:
• • Gatherings Podcast
  • • Facebook
    • Twitter
  • Chrystina Noel
  • Sweet Love & Ginger

During Episode 9 of Gatherings Podcast we talk with Vicki Miller, the founder of Vinocity about wine pairing for the holidays. Actually, we start by asking about wines for the holiday and end up asking every question we've ever had about wine when it comes to party hosting. Just for you. (Alright, alright, and a little bit for us.) Vicki Miller is a long-time student and teacher of wine. She was a practicing attorney in Philadelphia for 16 years at a major U.S. firm and has studied wine for over 20 years. She is WSET Level 3 Wines & Spirits Certified. Five years ago Vicki founded Vinocity and began teaching about wine. Vinocity plans and hosts wine tasting events for corporate clients, non-profit institutions, and associations, but with a unique approach. Vinocity events combine the educational aspects of a wine course with the socially engaging aspects of a wine tasting with friends. These events tell the rich story of wine, from the grapes, to technology, to the natural perils that challenge the winemaker. Guests gain information they can use the next time they select a wine and a few stories they can tell at their next cocktail party.

• Meet Vicki
• • How she got started with wine
  • Starting Vinocity
• Wine for the Holidays
• • Wine for Thanksgiving
  • Pairing Wines: Red vs. White, Bold vs. Light
  • "Middle of the Road" Wines
• All our Wine Questions Answered
• • How much wine should I buy?
  • How do I save open bottles of wine?
  • Jess' weeknight Bolognese sauce recipe
  • How do I pair wines with my menu?
  • Should your wines be consistent through the meal?
  • How much should you spend on wine?
  • When should you take wine out of the fridge to serve?
  • How do you chill wine really quickly?
  • Are there any foods that you should avoid pairing with wine?
  • What wines should you pair with spicy food?
  • What's your favorite wine to bring to a party?
• More about Wine
• • More about wine for the holidays
  • More about sparkling wines
  • New Year's
• What are you planning right now?
• • Chrystina: A trip to Texas
  • Vicki: A birthday dinner party!
  • Jessica: Hunting season
• What's going on in your kitchen?
• • Jessica: Cooking food from new cultures
  • Vicki: Homemade hummus
  • Chrystina: Cleaning up the pickle juice (literally)
• How are you staying in touch?
• • Chrystina: Conference follow up emails
  • Vicki: Phone calls with friends
  • Jessica: Christening thank yous and Christmas cards
• What are you into right now?
• • Jessica: Anthony Bourdain's Parts Unknown
  • Vicki: New granddaughter and The Crown
  • Chrystina: Project MC^2
• Find Vicki online:
• • Vinocity
• Find us online:
• • Gatherings Podcast
  • • Facebook
    • Twitter
  • Chrystina Noel
  • Sweet Love & Ginger

During Episode 8 of Gatherings Podcast we talk with Plum Deluxe founder and creator, Andy Hayes, about hosting tea parties, our favorite teas, thoughtful conversation starters, where to even begin when you're hosting a tea party, and many tea party logistics. You're definitely in for a treat! Andy Hayes is the founder and creator of Plum Deluxe. When he's not blending teas or baking up something yummy in the kitchen, he's hiking in the hills around his home of Portland, Oregon.

• Our love of tea parties
• Meet Andy
• • Starting Plum Deluxe
  • A Discussion of Tea - Why Tea, the Tea Lifestyle, and Tea Culture
• Our Favorite Teas
• • Andy: White Tea
  • Jessica: Black Tea & Herbal Tea, Mindful Morning
  • Chrystina: Rooibos & Chai
• Andy's Party Hosting Style & Moments That Matter
• • Type: Relaxed Eclectic
  • Food Bars
  • Taco Parties
• Thoughtful Conversation Starters
• Where to Begin When Hosting a Tea Party
• • The Intention
  • The Tea
• Tea Party Logistics
• • A Soup + Tea Pairing Brainstorm
  • Sweet or Savory
  • When to Brew the Tea
  • Decor and 5 Unique Tea Party Centerpiece Ideas
  • How Much Tea to Serve
  • How to Offer Tea to Your Guests
• What are you planning right now?
• • Jessica: Her son's Christening
  • Andy: Couples nights
  • Chrystina: Wine tasting dinner party
• What's going on in your kitchen?
• • Chrystina: Making peach jam
  • Andy: Tomatoes, figs, and plums
  • Jessica: Preserving, canning, blueberry thyme jam, ears of corn, tomatoes, jalapenos, zucchini bread, and more!
• How are you staying in touch?
• • Jessica: Birth announcements
  • Andy: Postcard swaps
  • Chrystina: Flying to Nashville
• What are you into right now?
• • Chrystina: Back into blogging and her new podcast
  • Andy: Baking and pumpkin spice
  • Jessica: Going through cookbooks
• Find Andy online:
• • Plum Deluxe
  • Tea Shop
  • Newsletter Sign Up
• Find us online:
• • Gatherings Podcast
  • • Facebook
    • Twitter
  • Chrystina Noel
  • Sweet Love & Ginger

• Meet Roaa
• • Background
  • How she got interested in hosting parties
  • Sunday pancakes
• Differences between Parties in Egypt and Parties in the U.S.
• • Favorite foods
• Pancake Breakfasts
• • How to prepare
  • Handling other people in the kitchen
  • Keeping food warm
  • Egyptian breakfasts
• Advice for Beginner Party Hosts
• • Know your goals
  • Decide the location
  • Determine the atmosphere
  • Making it feel like home
  • Wash dishes right away
  • Keep it simple
  • You can never make everyone happy
• What are you planning right now?
• • Chrystina: The Blog Connect 2018
  • Roaa: YouTube Channel
  • Jessica: Family Vacation & Baby
• What's going on in your kitchen?
• • Jessica: Herbs
  • Roaa: Quinoa
  • Chrystina: Trying to use all the food
• How are you staying in touch?
• • Chrystina: Coffee & breakfast dates
  • Roaa: Celebrating Eid & first Sunday pancakes after Ramadan
  • Jessica: Inviting people over
• What are you into right now?
• • Jessica: Automatic chicken door
  • Roaa: Traveling
  • Chrystina: Spring cleaning
• Find us online:
• • Gatherings Podcast
  • • Website
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
  • Chrystina
  • • Blog
    • Twitter
    • Pinterest
  • Jessica
  • • Blog
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

• Meet Miranda
• • Blog: Spooky Little Halloween
  • Blog: The Good Groupie
  • Shop: Society6
• Miranda Guest Posts
• • How to Host a 1920s Party Part 1
  • How to Host a 1920s Party Part 2
  • An Introvert's Guide to Hosting Parties
• Background
• • First interest in hosting parties
  • Why she loves Halloween
• Halloweenie Roast Themes
• • 2011: Masquerade
  • 2012: Harry Potter
  • 2013: Rocky Horror
  • 2014: Día de los Muertos
  • 2015: Witches' Ball
  • 2016: Tim Burton
  • 2017: Villains
• Themed Parties
• Halloweenie Roast
• • Menu
  • Decor
  • Music
  • Choosing Themes
  • Invitations
• Halloween E-Course: Killer Halloween Party
• What are you planning right now?
• • Chrystina: A Summer Bake-Off
  • Miranda: Halloweenie Roast and Blog Content
  • Jessica: Brother's Graduation
• What's going on in your kitchen?
• • Jessica: Grilling
  • Miranda: Bloody Mary Bar, Watermelon Pumpkins, and Pumpkin Juice
  • Chrystina: Thai-Inspired Dinner Party
• How are you staying in touch?
• • Chrystina: Wolf Pack Email
  • Miranda: Postcards & Care Packages
  • Jessica: Dinner Parties & Breakfasts
• What are you into right now?
• • Jessica: The Encyclopedia of Spices
  • Miranda: A Season with the Witch
  • Chrystina: A.C. Moore
• Find us online:
• • Miranda
  • • Spooky Little Halloween Blog
    • E-course
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
  • Gatherings Podcast
  • • Website
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
  • Chrystina
  • • Blog
    • Twitter
    • Pinterest
  • Jessica
  • • Blog
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

• Meet Sara
• • Blog: Cake Over Steak
  • Shop: Society6
• Cookbook Using Techniques
• Cookbook Recommendations
• • Top 5 Everyday from Sara
  • • Keys to the Kitchen by Aida Mollenkamp
    • Fast Fresh and Green by Susie Middleton
    • Love & Lemons by Jeanine Donofrio
    • Love Real Food by Katheryne Taylor
    • The Mad Hungry Books (Family, Cravings, Men & Boys) by Lucinda Scala Quinn
  • Top Baking Cookbooks
  • • Vanilla Bean Baking Book by Sarah Kieffer
    • The Modern Bake by Nick Malgieri
    • Sarabeth's Bakery: From My Hands to Yours by Sarabeth Levine
• Favorite Potluck Recipes
• • Sara
  • • Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • Brownie Tiramisu Trifle
    • Broccoli Salad with Maple Bacon and Caramelized Apple Vinaigrette
    • Tina's Mom's Salad
  • Jessica
  • • Jalapeno Poppers
    • Pasta Salad
• Feast of St. Pizza
• • Pizza Party Podcast on Heritage Radio Network
  • Feast of St. Pizza: Philadelphia
  • Feast of St. Pizza: Lebanon
• What are you planning right now?
• • Sara: In-Law Visit
  • Chrystina: Badass Babes Dinner
  • Jessica: Baby!
• What's going on in your kitchen?
• • Jessica: Meal Prep
  • Sara: Pink Lady Apple Margaritas and Peanut Butter and Jelly Cupcakes
  • Chrystina: Salt Cellar in Portland, ME
• How are you staying in touch?
• • Chrystina: Traveling
  • Sara: Family Visiting
  • Jessica: Shower Thank You Notes
• What are you into right now?
• • Jessica: Baby Stuff
  • Sara: Pizza Camp
  • Chrystina: Try New Restaurants
• Find us online:
• • Sara
  • • Cake Over Steak
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
  • Gatherings Podcast
  • • Website
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
  • Chrystina
  • • Blog
    • Twitter
    • Pinterest
  • Jessica
  • • Blog
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

• Meet Lizzie
• • Emily Post Institute
  • The Awesome Etiquette Podcast
• Emily Post's Etiquette, the 19th Edition
• • Find the book here on Amazon
  • Keeping etiquette relevant
  • What makes the 19th Edition different
  • Etiquette in the work place
• Our Etiquette Questions
• • What is the number one most asked question about entertaining at home?
  • What do you think it takes to be a great host?
  • How do you recommend handling situations when there are people who don't know each other at parties?
  • What is your go-to dish to bring to a potluck?
  • • Dumplings
    • Artichoke Dip
    • Roasted Red Pepper Dip: Roasted Red Pepper, Clove of Garlic 1-2 cans Chick Peas, Parmesan Cheese, Salt, Pepper
    • Homemade Pita Chips
  • Do you have any advice to deal with the battle of getting people to RSVP?
  • Do you have any hard-and-fast rules that you always hold to when hosting a dinner party?
  • Do you have any advice for being the center of attention at a baby shower?
  • Do you have any housewear guilty pleasures?
• What are you planning right now?
• • Jessica: Visiting friends
  • Lizzie: Etiquette 19th edition launch, horses, golf, & home repairs
  • Chrystina: Scheduling coffee dates with everyone
• What's going on in your kitchen?
• • Chrystina: New spice rack
  • Lizzie: Keeping it clean & gifting banana bread recipes
  • Jessica: Baking and foraging
• How are you staying in touch?
• • Jessica: People are staying in touch with her
  • Lizzie: Message bombing, Facebook messenger, and home visits
  • Chrystina: Sending snail mail
• What are you into right now?
• • Chrystina: Chai-Wallah's Spice with Rooibos Chai & Travel Journals
  • Lizzie: Blow pops & Muji
  • Jessica: Permaculture
• Find us online:
• • Lizzie
  • • Emily Post Institute
    • Emily Post Institute Facebook Page
    • Awesome Etiquette Podcast
    • Awesome Etiquette Facebook Page
    • Twitter: www.twitter.com/LizzieAPost
  • Gatherings Podcast
  • • Website
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
  • Chrystina
  • • Blog
    • Twitter
    • Pinterest
  • Jessica
  • • Blog
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

• Meet Lauren
• • Chrystina met Lauren at The Yellow Conference
  • Lauren journeyed from New York City to Montana and started her own event company, Lauren Caselli Events
• Event Planning 101
• • "Events [are] about getting people together in a room, having face-to-face time with them, getting them away from their phones and away from their screens, and really engaging them in a conversation." - Lauren Caselli
  • Using food as a gathering tool
  • Cocktail plates with wine holders
• Event Planning 201
• • Lauren's craziest wedding planning story
  • How Lauren started her event planning business
  • Experience curation
  • Boss Lady Bashes
• What are you planning right now?
• • Lauren: Boss Lady Bash, Birthday Party
  • Chrystina: The Blog Connect, Murder Mystery, Tea Party
  • Jessica: Husband's Birthday
• What's going on in your kitchen?
• • Chrystina bought a rolling free-standing spice rack.
  • Lauren is buying in bulk.
  • Jessica is getting ready for spring.
• How are you staying in touch?
• • Jessica is planning dinner parties.
  • Lauren is planning breakfast dates.
  • Chrystina is sending birthday cards and scheduling phone calls.
• What are you working on right now?
• • Chrystina: The Blog Connect
  • Lauren: Hiring an Associate Event Planner
  • Jessica: The Gatherings Podcast & a chicken coop
• What are you loving right now?
• • Jessica has been reading about permaculture design.
  • Lauren is watching The Americans and is learning more about investing for women.
  • Chrystina is composting with help from Bennett Compost.
• Find us online:
• • Lauren
  • • Blog: www.laurencaselli.com
    • Instagram: www.instagram.com/lcasellievents
    • 12 Steps to Sold Out Events
    • How to Create Your Own Mastermind
    • Grow Your Tribe Worksheet
  • Chrystina
  • • Blog: www.chrystinanoel.com
    • Twitter: www.twitter.com/chrystinanoel
    • Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/chrystinanoel
  • Jessica
  • • Blog: www.sweetloveandginger.com
    • Twitter: https://twitter.com/sweetloveginger
    • Instagram: http://instagram.com/sweetloveginger
    • Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/gingerandlove

• Our Ideal Dinner Parties
  • Chrystina: indoors, 6 people, one cop out course, no decorations.
  • Jessica: outdoors, +6 people, fire, live music, potluck, dessert cop out.
• Our Dinner Party Rules
  • Chrystina: be super detailed on the invitation to tell your guests what to expect, what to bring, what to wear, and a general understanding of the menu - and don't forget to offer your guests a hot cup of tea before the night is out!
  • Jessica: make sure there's something for everyone, always have a salad course
• How to keep the conversation going
• Other things:
  • Chrystina only made it 16 days on the Whole30.
  • Jessica tells a story about Chauncy's blackout juice.
  • Jessica is answering questions about her baby shower.
  • Jessica got baby chicks.
  • Chrystina tries to figure out how to store tea.
  • Everyone's spring cleaning.
  • Sign up for Jessica's newsletter to get her cookbook.
• Jessica's Loving:
  • Organizing
• Chrystina's Loving:
  • Reading: Strength Finders 2.0
  • Listening to: Ed Sheeran's new album
  • Watching: 30 Rock, Chef's Table