Customer Reviews

Block Parties & Poker Nights: Recipes and Ideas for Getting and Staying Connected with Your Neighbors

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I read the other reviews before I wrote this, and I couldn't help but notice that NOT ONE of the "reviewers" said anything about the recipes. Why? Because they are terrible! Let me explain: I am a cookbook reader, collector, cook and baker. I read/review and try cookbooks ALL THE TIME. This cookbook is terrible! The recipes just do not work - and I've tried a lot of them.
As far as ideas go, if you want to get really chummy with your neighbors, then buy this book - that's where it gets 2 stars from me.

My family recently moved into our first home in the suburbs. We're on a very busy street without sidewalks so none of the kids on the block knew each other. This book has really helped us learn how to connect to our new neighbors. We started throwing neighborhood parties for all occassions, and the kids on the block finally know each other.
This book has so many fun and inventive ideas, adorable drawings, and easy recipes that work well for crowds. Three new families have moved in this year and the book has given us wonderful ideas to welcome them! (We now bring welcome baskets that include a list of important places in the area.) I wish someone in the neighoborhood had read this book before we had moved in!

Nice addition to my extensive cookbook collection. I have so much fun collecting cookbooks, I need a 2nd home to house them all

I'm not sure what the other person was talking about that the recipes are not very good. I thought they were all easy to prepare and quite tasty. They're not great but they were good and typical party fare. The 4th of July party had some awesome ideas, great party tips and food to go along with it. The All-South BBQ rub was really good. We've used it several times and not just for summer parties.

The cookie exchange we've done several times over the years and it's become a church favorite. We don't use all the ideas but those ideas branch off into other ideas.

Overall a worthy cookbook and many good recipes.

I am always on the lookout for fun things to do - fun party suggestions. This book was the most fun I've had in a while just reading all the recipes and ideas. It is loaded. I was thinking BLOCK PARTY when I ordered it, and am truly excited to throw one now that I am armed with so many fun ideas, but so many of the parties presented would also work with ANY group of people, they don't have to be your next door neighbors. These parties would work for getting fellow co-workers acquainted (the bowling party would be a great company Christmas Party), or helping church people get acquainted, and a couple of them would even work for a family reunion.

I was actually jealous of all the "neighborly" stuff that was presented. I wish I lived in such a friendly, caring, involved, and fun neighborhood as some of the folks who's stories were featured. I think I'm going to try and be courageous and give some of these ideas a whirl. I haven't tried any of the recipes (there are a lot of them) but they all look yummy.

If you are into throwing parties and are also yearning to be the chairman of neighborhood social committee (held back until this moment only by the lack of creative ideas) you'll *L*O*V*E* that you found this book!!!!

You can watch Martha Stewart and HGTV all day long and still not know the significance of food as an emotional currency during gatherings. From paying your respects to saying hello to the new neighbors, you'll be reaching for this book so much it belongs next to the dictionary and yellow pages.

Not only am I a new neighbor, but I am a terrible cook, and Peggy Allen's book is full of fun and super-simple recipes that I cannot wait to try out on the folks next door! It's also well laid-out and enjoyable to glance through. Flip through it, you'll see what I mean.

This book is filled with practical suggestions that don't have to cost a fortune to implement. The author offers a broad range of ideas requiring varying degrees of prep work depending on how much time you have available. It's laid out simply and works well as an easy reference guide.

Tired of mindless cocktail parties and little black dresses? Thirsty for real connections with real people who don't follow the weekend's box office grosses? When millenium malaise and terrorist stress get to be too much, a jello mold really is the only answer. Now there's a book for all of us East Coast/West Coast fashionistas who have come to realize there's hipness to be mined in them thar Midwest hills. We just need a little guidance. And no better tour guide is Peggy Allen. She makes her Kentucky Derby party more of a must-have invite than the Oscars! You go, girl! Buy this book and make old-tyme parties hip new fun.

Every section of this book gives great plans for having fun in your neighborhood. I live in an area that already has scheduled events, but this gives many more ideas for other opportunities to involve those not already involved.
I also like the sections on what to do when someone moves into your neighborhood, has a prolonged illness, or if someone dies... it give many good ideas on meals or practical things to do.