After months of planning and looking forward to honoring my closest friends and family (in this state, miss you guys- Megan, Liz, and Stephanie), my ladies luncheon is over. I had been thinking about hosting something but I didn’t want to sell anything, and there aren’t any bridal or baby showers to give yet so I decided I didn’t need a reason, “just because” was reason enough. It’s two-fold, I wanted to honor and spoil the ladies who have supported me in many ways and even encouraged me unbeknownst to them, as well as encourage and promote my sister-in-law’s new small catering company. Angela is very talented and creative, and now she’s teamed up with 2 other very talented ladies, Meghan and Amy. They have great taste, they excel in their own unique ways, and after blending their styles the food looks beautiful and tastes amazing. This luncheon was also a time for me to create the invitations, some sweet party favors (which took me months to make and fill with goodies), decorate my finally finished dining room, and make some sweet treats for their To-Go dessert boxes. I really hope my guests felt warm fuzzies after a delicious lunch and being showered with a few goodies to remind them how special they are to me.
The caterers call themselves The Farm Wives, they have a scripture to keep them focused and they don’t spread themselves too thinly because their families comes first. They came up with the menu, and I approved with no modifications. Before we sat down, we enjoyed snacking on fresh fruit kabobs with a drizzle of sweet vanilla cream sauce, and fresh farm veggies with the most amazing dip I’ve ever had (and I don’t even care about dip usually – Sawyer loved it too). The presentation was perfect and it was difficult to not eat more but I made sure to leave room for what was to come. Our lunch started with a fresh green salad using their homemade toasted sesame vinagarette, I can’t really describe how good it was and I don’t remember the exact name they used. They simotaneously served us either water or apricot lemonade. After our salad plates were licked clean~ They brought us little jars filled with homemade macaroni and cheese garnished with an heirloom tomato slice and parsley (I think it was parsley, it was green, fresh, and looked like parsley), with 2 slices of their homemade white bread. The portions were perfect, and the flavors left me wanting the recipes. They also cleared the plates and cleaned up! The Farm Wives also set up a beautiful large frame with their menu nicely displayed, a chalkboard rooster with the word “Enjoy!” written on it, and a huge boquet of astrimaria flowers in a large (pickle) jar with a ribbon (those flowers lasted weeks later with water changes). It was beautiful and looked fantastic with my set up.
My set up was so much fun. I would love to plan events for a living, and decorate homes, and coordinate weddings… but that’s a different blog. So first off, my dining room is finally done! Jeremy had it painted last year for my birthday, he hung the large mirror for me, and he listed our couch and loveseat on Craig’s list so I could get the table I wanted! I spent several weeks compiling pictures, prints, and frames to display on the walls. Sawyer even helped me! Jeremy has been nothing but helpful and positive about the dining room decorations, he is awesome! Oh and he assembled all 12 upholstered chairs! Amazing!!! (I wonder if I can get him to help me scotch guard them too~). So I used what I had to make the 3 candle centerpieces. Sawyer helped me break the twigs and wrap the burlap around the unscented candles. She also asked me if the twigs would catch on fire, but I assured her we’d arrange them out of line with the flame. I also bought some inexpensiave gauze like cream fabric and had more burlap for a layered table runner under the centerpieces. My place settings used our white square plates with a napkin, birds nest full of chocolate eggs, and fake bird with each persons name. Up above I made and hung 7 teal tissue poms (Martha Stewart poms at 90% off because the store went out of business, killer deal!). On the kitchen table with the starters, I had their party favors and Chinese to-go boxes with their homemade treats. I used some old milk bottles as vases to hold some cherry blossom branches around the favors. It was so pretty and tons of fun. I also lit every candle I had downstairs to create a warm feeling, and even though it was April it was still cold out so the candles weren’t crazy hot. My dear friend and fellow Austen fan Kathleen noticed the Pride & Prejudice score playing in the background. It was like my modern-day 2-course regency inspired luncheon, and it was perfect. My only regret was totally forgetting to introduce each guest. Many of them knew eachother but a few did not and I wish I would have remembered that courtesy (darn-it). Live and learn.
I hope my “party” will inspired you to add a few details to your next gathering. Visit back to see more of my future events and decorating ideas. I have to share my passion somewhere, even if it’s not my day job (yet). Stay tuned to hear about the contents of the party favors and dessert boxes!
