Washington, D.C. - June 24, 2009

Countdown to a Blast

2009 Summer Entertaining Guide

Sometimes entertaining at home is sheer entertainment in itself. Next time, instead of dazzling guests with another unintentional fire dance, make a plan.

Two days before: Prep the booze with help from family-owned wine shop Cork & Fork, which excels at selecting party wines, planning a themed assortment, and assigning food pairings.

The day before: Shop the farmers market for ingredients. The new Bethesda Central Farm Market has seasonal treats (mmm, blueberries) and sausages from MeatCrafters, which offers grill-friendly choices (andouille, kielbasa, and brats) from local chefs. (Glover Park’s new market would also be a good bet.)

The morning of: Assemble a showpiece dessert, using market berries to make ice cream. Keep it cold in an Ice Cream Tubbie from Home Rule: It’s a cooler for homemade ice cream or insulation for packaged pints on picnics. For a time-saver, throw the berries and some whipped cream on shortcakes from Callie’s Charleston Biscuits.

When guests arrive: Your parties may be no fairy tale, but you can inspire verse with cheeky retro nursery rhyme dishware at Red Barn Mercantile.

As the sun sets: Dazzle the crowd with solar-powered string lights from West Virginia-based Bambeco. The blue orbs, made from handblown glass, collect sun during the day to save energy at night. They automatically turn on at sunset and dim at sunrise.