My "Summer's Not Over Yet!" Party
Last weekend I threw my party in the backyard - one last blast of summer with my neighborhood friends! It was PERFECT!
My husband put up "fairy lights" and it created a truly magical feel - not sure my photography captured it well
I started creating my menu after the Evite went out - I decided on a variety of appetizers and margarita's .
tested out a recipe on my husband and son - this was a fun way to start an ordinary weeknight! Especially when I mixed up individual margarita's for us to try! After I had my menu down, I found a pretty font on the computer
menu in a pretty gold frame! So elegant!
Sometimes the easiest thing is the thing that puts it over the top!
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I tried to make as much ahead of time as I could get away with. So I made specialty ice weeks ahead of time. What is specialty ice? Ice with lemon and limes frozen in the middle!
It also played nicely into my summertime venue and my color scheme of yellow, green and white. Did the citrus decide the color scheme or did I? I can't remember, but it worked great because my serving platters are all white, and yellow and green are so summery.
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Warning! These pans are completely unstable!
My first batch landed all over my kitchen floor! At least it was only water, imagine muffin batter?!
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in a mini muffin pan and used a small spoon to make the wells for the lemon curd. Bite sized delights! Pre-made cups stored in the freezer. I don't think I have a solo picture of these - but I have leftover cups so I am going to serve them again at our upcoming block party!
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good for calming a stomach. You see, it hadn't rained here in MONTHS, honestly, months! What was it doing all Saturday morning and early afternoon? Pouring!
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My husband attached it to a post and staked it in the ground in front of the garden path
I didn't have a chance to take a picture of the path, but I had purchased battery operated lights to help lead the way down to the backyard
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And the extra wine and beer that everyone brought helped that too -no driving from a neighborhood party, so why not?!
The day before the party, I roasted the tomatoes for the a crostini recipe, horseradish sauce for the roast beef bruschetta, the olivanda for the olive crostini's and caramelized the onions for my onion and goat cheese tartlets.
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When I tasted a small spoonful before shutting the freezer door, I thought they tasted strong because it was noon on Friday. Nope, just strong!
If that's the only thing I can complain about, believe me - I am not!
One last touch on the outdoor setting - my table arrangements! Mason jars filled with cut lemons (limes are more expensive than lemons right now. I used 6 fresh limes per pitcher of margarita's - worth the price because the fresh juice made a good tasting drink) The baby's breath flowers are from 2 bunches that were only $4.99 a piece - and look, it's all in the color scheme!
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It was a great evening, I am really happy. I believe all my friends had a really good time too.
Just in case it did rain, I wasn't going to cancel or send my friends home, so I had the living room in full summer as well.
The red door (which will stay red for a while!) and the seashell wreath and navy bow
This pillow didn't get done in time - next summer!
It can stay summer in the house a little longer -sunflowers last a long time I think.
but...I am going to put away my summer party shoes!
Pam