Will you be my Valentine?

Girl friends, time to catch up and inspiration from Pinterest meant a night of fun for Valentine's Day! We celebrated with a Pinterest inspired DIY Valentine's Exchange.

After appetizers and drinks, we learned how to make French macaroons in beautiful Valentines colors and assorted flavors.

Then we hit the craft table - each person brought the materials and instructions for a Valentine they loved on Pinterest. After making each, our mailboxes were overloaded with love! 

Snacky foods, all frozen from Trader Joe's were enjoyed by all. 

What's black and white and red all over? A Penguin on Valentine's Day!

Halloween Orchard dinner

This was the 10th year Katie and I have hosted a Halloween Party together - we are honored to share the holiday with so many special friends. This year we headed to a local orchard for an apple themed dinner.

We contacted a few orchards and made arrangements to host the party at Carter Hill Orchard in Concord, NH. Hosting a party off site is lots of fun but definitely involves a little extra planning. We chose a beautiful row of trees. Invitations were ordered from Bee and Daisy on Etsy.

 Before and After

The orchard provided the space and we brought the rest. We were very happy with the transformation. Three long banquet tables, hay bales and folding chairs were festooned with maroon, orange and green themed table clothes and plates.

Centerpieces included bright, festive flowers in apple barrels, apple candles and fresh apples. Cheese platters, crackers and a charcuitere plate were on the table for snacking as guests arrived.

 A peak of the table through the trees! 

Each place setting had an adorable sewn apple made by Wendy. Traditionally at our parties, the place card is something that can be taken home and used as a Christmas ornament.  

The temperature was on the cooler side so the hot apple cider served in mason jars was a big hit and great hand warmer.

We all sat down to enjoy an apple themed dinner: Apple pumpkin soup with bread rolls and apple bread, salad with apple cider vinaigrette, savory apple tarts with beets or onions, and apple cookies and bars for dessert.

Our guests in their great costumes!

 

 

Guests headed home with homemade apple pie (baked with love by Wendy) and their fabric apple.

We can't wait until next year!

Happy 60th Birthday!

This weekend we hosted a fabulous Birthday party for a very special woman, my mother! It was an honor to celebrate her 60th Birthday with an al fresco Tuscan Dinner Party.

 

The scene was set on the back deck ... rich, vibrant fall colors of rust, crimson, gold, purple and brown carried through from the mums to the table centerpieces. Large bulb lights were strung high giving the air of street festival.

 



 

Alternating chairs were draped with coordinating pashminas which served to break the chill for the female guests and favors at the end of the evening.

 

 

 

 

The table was set with bright, crisp white linens, white plates and then a colorful centerpiece that ran the length of the table. Silk sunflowers, berries, and fall leaves were accented with pilar candles and twinkling lights. Each place setting was accented with a colorful menu outlining the culinary delights of the evening.

 

 

A bar stand greeted guests with a glass of red or white Italian wine upon arrival.

 

 

The Pastry Chef puts the finishing touches on the Birthday cake - perfectly decorated to fit the theme of the evening.

 

Twenty guests joined us to celebrate the guest of honor.

 

After dinner, we sang Happy Birthday and enjoyed delicious cake!

The first course was a trio of antipasti: Tuscan bruschetta, fresh fig with goat cheese and honey and a medley of marinated vegetables. The second course was fried ravioli with tomato drizzle and shaved parmesan.

 

The main course featured cornish game hens with vin santo and chestnuts, risotto and roasted baby vegetables.

 A fun panoramic shot of the table to end the post. Click the photo to view larger.