Dear Sandi: We are having an anniversary party in Lincoln City for my parents. They have a house that looks out over the ocean but is set back on a hill, so we don’t get too much wind.

Hoping that the weather will permit, we are planning an outdoor barbecue. I could use some “beachy” party ideas. — Salina L.P., Dallas

Hi Salina: Sounds like my kind of party – actually just about anything at the beach is OK in my book.

Outdoor entertaining always is a bit risky on our coastline because the weather can change so fast, but on the other hand, it is so beautiful that it is worth taking the chance.

Although you said your folks’ location is protected from the wind, it sounds like you still get some, and that probably is, next to unexpected rain, the biggest obstacle that you will need to deal with.

One of the most practical and attractive ways to deal with potential flying tablecloths is to weight them down with shells or beach stones.

I am partial to the rocks you frequently can find on our coastline that have the natural holes in them, and I gather up a handful anytime I can.

A day trip to the coast will let you collect as many of these as you probably will need. Find rough, strong twine and cut various lengths that reach across your table (both lengthwise and crosswise) and hang over the edge anywhere from 3 to 10 inches. Tie one or two rocks on each end of all the twines, then crisscross them over your table cloth, letting the “rocky ends” dangle at different lengths. This looks great and, unless you are dining in a hurricane, will keep your linens (or plastics) stable and flat.

Candles always are a wonderful addition to any festive occasion, but again the elements can present a challenge, especially to the traditional tall tapers. Tea lights and votives make good alternatives to the more “exposed to the elements” varieties.

Shells make wonderful and appropriate bowls, plates and other containers. One of the most dramatic shells for this use is the deep-sea clam.

This magnificent creature lives in tropical waters and now is protected from being harvested for its shell. We are fortunate to work with a maker in Asia who has devised a way to reproduce this beautiful shell in a matte resin that looks incredibly realistic.

Filling one of these beauties with tiny silver Nassa shells and nestling one or two tea lights in the center is one of our favorite ways of adding a bit of candlelight to the occasion.

Shells can serve as your salad plate (the large white scallop shells are perfect for this). Smaller scallops are adorable when used to hold salt or other condiments. If you are going formal, the incredibly beautiful mother-of-pearl “plate” shell, at

8 inches to 9 inches across, is about as impressive a presentation as anyone could want.

In the Pacific Northwest, we are fortunate to seasonally have some terrific looking driftwood wash up on the beach. If you have been collecting these natural works of art, now is the time to bring out the box and put together a great centerpiece. A rustic bucket or other container filled with dune grass and three to five interesting pieces of driftwood are all you need to set the stage. A starfish or perhaps a couple of sand dollars can be the finishing touch.

With just a bit of imagination, I think that you will find that getting ready for this party will be one of the easiest (and most fun) tasks you could undertake!

June 23, 2006