Book helps plan parties with ease

If planning a dinner party sounds intimidating to you, you’re not alone.

It’s what BJ Jones heard from several friends over the years as she hosted dinners, brunches and parties.

Initially, she thought she would compile recipes and tips for family and friends. But she then decided to self-publish the book, “Food, Fun, Family and Friends” to help others in their entertaining efforts. The book is $25, and is sold through lulu.com and at Scojo’s Gifts & Cards on Paseo del Norte and Wyoming NE.

The longtime kitchen maven was one of 75 women who won the Spirit of Betty Crocker contest in 1996.

Jones, who is retired from her position as director of human resources at Sandia National Laboratories, says the book is packed with more than 100 recipes, and offers tips such as how to prepare for an event, from grocery shopping to last-minute details such as when to put the bread in the oven. Jones is the chair of the council for the United Way of Central New Mexico’s Women in Philanthropy. She also is a member-at-large for the National Women’s Leadership Council for the United Way.

Unlike a few years ago, she says that these days it’s hard to get a party of eight together for dinner because everyone is so overbooked. Instead, a group will go out to a restaurant instead of entertaining at home, and Jones would like to see that change.

“It’s not that intimidating. It’s not electronic. It’s really heart-centered and you really get to know people (by inviting them to your home).”

Beginning in 1985, Jones kept a record of who she invited over to her home for a meal, along with what she served. Using the three notebooks she filled from 1985 to 1989, she wrote a cookbook.

Writing the book was “almost a bucket list kind of thing,” she says.