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!

Let's celebrate Cinco de Mayo!

In honor of Cinco de Mayo, we gathered for a fiesta complete with drinks, appetizers and desserts! Details of the party went out on a fun invitation from Tinyprints.com. Brightly colored papel picado banners and paper fans hung above a table full of delicious treats.

On left, beef tostadas paired with Jack and Coke shots. On the right, fish tacos paired with Patron Margaritas.

On left, layered taco salad served in mini margarita glasses. On the right, flan with colorful wafer decorations.

On the sideboard was a bright easel with menu and mini bags of churros with ducle de leche dipping sauce. Yum!

On the coffee table, corn chips allowed for tasting of three different dips: homemade salsa, guacamole and bacon and black bean dip.

Vamos a celebrar!

A Polka Dot Pool Party

Lots of polka dots, a pool full of ducks and beach balls and family means a dinner party full of fun! The poolside table was decorated with bright, colorful paper lanterns in hot pink, orange, lime green and purple. Fabric pendents added more dots to the decor.

The place settings had colorful round place mats  paper straws, polka dotted napkins and favor bags that doubled as place cards. The favor bags had candy dots, bouncy balls, spotted notebooks, temporary tattoos and cool spotted bug pens.

The young party guests loved fishing the ducks and balls out of the pool!

Polka dots are such a fun party element! Here's a fun idea for an invitation. Check out my Pinterest board for more spotty ideas! 

Halloween Dracula's Wake

With somber tidings, we announce Dracula's Wake. Your presence is requested at calling hours to include casket viewing, refreshments and mini golf.

Our party was hosted at Monster Mini Golf in Danvers, MA in the party room. The room itself has a wonderful vibe with Gothic haunting decor. We brought decorations to supplement and celebrate the "wake" theme.

Upon entering the room, guests were greeted by a photo of the deceased and a full length black coffin which served as buffet for assorted appetizers.

Guests could read Dracula's obituary and view photos of his surviving relatives surrounded by candles and a ceremonial wreath. A bust of Dracula was prominently displayed. Women were presented with a corsage, men received boutonnieres and children had ribbons.

Creepy accessories for all guests which also served as favors. 

The coffin served as a buffet for an assortment of appetizers from chicken "bat" wings, "moldy" cheese balls, beef "flesh" pops, fried "black eyed" peas and more. 

One of my favorite party elements and a big hit with the younger (and young at heart) guests was the "blood bath" of tomato soup with "bone" grilled cheese sandwich dippers. 

After enjoying the appetizers, it was time to be tempted by the delicious desserts. "Tooth decay" trifle in push pops were displayed in test tubes. Strawberry tart was served with syringes of whipped cream ready for guests to dispense as prescribed. Guests also enjoyed "Blood" red velvet cupcakes and a twist on the traditional caramel apple with caramel-chocolate pears!

Guests enjoying the desserts and cranberry-cider punch.

 Guests came in costume to mourn the loss of Dracula.

 

After the casket viewing and feasting, we all headed to the indoor course to play mini golf!