Springtime Celebrations

Here it is already, the last day of April 2008, and many of us are gearing up for the festivities that take place this time of year. Weddings, birthdays, graduations, Mother's Day, Cinco de Mayo and more have many of us searching for that perfect gift, outfit, or dish for the occasion. Whether hosting or attending, we all want to make an impression and remember these special events fondly. Get started at http://www.less4luxury.com/ where you are sure to find something beautiful to wear at a great price.

If you are hosting a party, there is a delicious, healthy, refreshing dish that will delight all your guests who love seafood and mexican cuisine. This recipe will leave them wondering if you had the event catered...

Coconut Lime Alaskan Halibut Ceviche(recipe comes from Chef Liz Ozanich at McCormick & Kuleto’s in San Francisco)
1 pound fresh Alaskan halibut

1 1/2 lemons, zest and juice

1 1/2 limes, zest and juice1 ounce fish sauce (Vietnamese or Thai style)

1/2 bunch cilantro

1/2 ounce Chinese chili garlic paste

6 1/2 ounces canned coconut milk (unsweetned)

1 Tablespoon fresh grated ginger
Slice the halibut into small bite size slices. Whisk together all the rest of the ingredients and marinate for at least 4 hours in a non-reactive bowl in the refrigerator. Serve with plantain chips or tortilla chips.Courtesy of Amy Sherman's blog at Glam.com (see links for details)

Now for the perfect gift...something special to give that will be remembered. Decide on your budget and look for something that fits the occasion. For example gift certificates to ticket outlets make fabulous graduation, birthday, engagement and Mothers/Fathers day gifts. If you know that special someone's taste in music or favorite sport's team, you can take it one step further and buy the actual tickets. Online ticketbrokers offer great selections, often allowing you to purchase premium seats, even front row, in many cases. StubHub is a good source for this (see our links for details). If you are looking for that special something to bring as a gift for the host, check out the Putumayo Presents CD's. Not only will you give a a gift they will never forget but they can get the party started with their new tunes! Caution: Once you get started on this world music, you may never stop... Happy spring parties!