It has been an exhausting week of cleaning and getting everything ready~ but the party came and went
and we had a blast!
We did a buffet style set up-
Here's what was served:
Tortilla chips with green corn salsa
Variety of cheese from Oregon - courtesy of Dayna and Aunt Janet
a delicious pasta dish with bleu cheese and pears- yum!
3 different french breads-
cream cheese artichoke,
garlic
tomato, basil with parmesan & balsamic vinegar
Fruit salad
Couscous
Three tiered vanilla cake with chocolate frosting
Strawberry cheesecake
Red and white wine
This is all that was left of the once three tiered cake after the kids got to it!
I guess it was good!
We sat outside in the backyard for most the party
Eating and chatting and laughing.
The rock steps lead up to the upper patio area where it was more shaded and a little cooler.
The pea gravel patio serves as a refuge from the warm bricks of the lower patio area and gives you an area to sit for quiet conversation and a bonfire in the pit when it's cold.
It's a great spot to sit and relax, with your feet in the warm sand...
a little wave music on the ipod and you are good to go with your Pina Colada!
Basically, it gets so darn hot in this part of the backyard in California summers, that our grass would not grow decently.
So we decided why not expand the entertaining part of the yard and put these areas in.
I have two vintage inspired iron tables set up with white umbrellas.
Since there were more than 20 of us at the party, we used all the tables in the backyard.
Everybody split up for eating-
The younger crowd in the pea gravel & beach area,
my kids and brother Evan and sister Taylor and the little cousins in the house
and Aunt Janet, Uncle Don, my mom & Grammy's cousin Theda (and fam) under the pergola.
The strand of seashell lights drape above it and look amazing at night.
I have also placed banners draping
along the same lines to celebrate birthdays or graduation.
The table was surrounded by family and laughter and smiles.
The food was there, but the focus wasn't on the table presentation or layout as much as visiting and catching up.
My Aunt Janet and Uncle Don are my grandmothers siblings and they came over to visit Grammy and see each other- kind of a little reunion.
We usually see them every couple of years or so.
Unfortunately, Grammy wasn't able to attend the party at the last minute but we thought of her and laughed about the funny stories from 'back in the day'.
All in all a great day spending some time with family we don't get to see often enough.
After all the work, fun and laughter...
I poured a glass of delicious Oregon Pinot Noir
(thanks Dayna!)
and soaked in a hot bath!