The 2 Seasons

A mother/daughter duo, residing in two different parts of the country, team up to write a lively blog about their homes, decorating, food, fun, and their world-wide travels.

  • About Us
  • Travel
  • Projects
  • Recipes Index
    • Appetizers and Snacks
    • Sides and Salads
    • Mains
    • Desserts
    • Beverages
  • Adoption

Our Party Pics

By Janette | Decorating, Food

You might already know this, but last Thursday Mr. Right and I hosted the dessert portion of a progressive party on our street.  There were three houses involved.  The first house had drinks and snacks, the second house had the main course, and we followed up with dessert from 8:00 – 9:00.  Eighty-one people responded that they would be attending, but we probably ended up with around 50 at chez nous.  (There were probably 70 at the other two houses.)  We expected some folks to drop out after eating their entrees.  After all, it was the coldest night of the season, and our house was a good block away from the other two.  We figured some ladies might not want to do the walk in their heels.

 

 

IMG 6835 681x1024 - Our Party Pics

For the outside, I prepared luminaries by buying red bags, cutting them down some, punching them with some holes, and adding sand and a candle.  I didn’t get a photo of them actually burning since I was the hostess, but you can probably get the idea.

 

 

IMG 6845 1024x681 - Our Party Pics

I also staged our Chippendale bench on the “stoop” with a throw and pillow.  You can see the luminaries there in the background.  I took these exterior photos at the sunniest part of the day (bad blogger), and so, there are lots of shadows.

 

IMG 6837 681x1024 - Our Party Pics

I have two of these big Pottery Barn rugs.  One is under the table in the kitchen, and one hangs out in the basement sitting area.  I grabbed it and put it on the outdoor steps.  I thought that would be a great way to offer a “red carpet welcome” and to also wipe off any dirt picked up when our guests walked down the street.

 

 

IMG 6855 1024x681 - Our Party Pics

We each had a sign to put in the front of our homes so the guests would be sure to find us.  This sign matched the invitations that were sent out.

 

 

IMG 6842 1024x681 - Our Party Pics

The only other outdoor decoration was this Christmas wreath.  It played well with the electric candles in all of our windows.

 

 

Christmas party 1 1024x341 - Our Party Pics

I hung fresh greenery in the foyer by combining some evergreens, magnolia leaves, pheasant feathers and a plaid bow.

 

 

IMG 6854 1024x798 - Our Party Pics

More Christmas cheer came in the form of a wreath on the mirror and red pillows on the bench.  (I’ll be giving you a tour of our new foyer look in the new year.)

 

 

Christmas pics 2 1024x341 - Our Party Pics

I have mentioned before that I have a plaid thing going on this Christmas, and I wanted to use plaid on the centerpiece.  I definitely thought outside of the box on this one.  First, I bought three different plaid cotton flannels at the fabric store.  I sewed one into a runner and then just bunched the other two in the middle.  Then I added the inspiration piece – a black and white 8 x 10 photo of Mr. Right’s uncle sledding when he was in his teens.  We think the photo was taken in the 1920’s.  Then I added an old pair of wooden skates, an Ikea lantern, a small tree in the container I showed you last week, candles, and circled them with a string of antique sleigh bells that my mother gave me.   They’re the kind that give off that great sound, but they remained silent that night.

 

 

IMG 6861 1024x681 - Our Party Pics

Here’s a close-up of that photo – glare and all.

 

Christmas party 3 1024x1024 - Our Party Pics

For the desserts, I made only finger foods, and I tried to make things that were a little bit old-fashioned.  So, I came up with red velvet mini-cupcakes, mint chocolate bark, crack (Trisha Yearwood’s cracker cookies) and rice cereal treats.  I bought little frames and typed up the names of each of the desserts so people would know what they were eating.

 

 

Christmas pics 3 1024x512 - Our Party Pics

I also made about 100 merinques (love ’em), caramel corn (come back tomorrow for this great recipe), peanut butter fudge, orange brownies, peanut butter blossoms, and five kinds of Christmas cookies.  I had worked out a schedule ahead of time and made all of the desserts on the day before and the day of the party.  For beverages, I rented a coffee urn and served decaf along with Bailey’s, decaf tea, and bottled water.  They had already had drinks and wine at the previous houses.  Now it was time to prepare to get home.

 

 

Christmas pics 5 1024x341 - Our Party Pics

At first, the guests just trickled in and then bam!!!   They were there!  It was a great time.  Since I had everything prepared, Mr. Right and I were able to enjoy our own party.  And just so you know, I borrowed a coat rack, and we had it set up in the office just off of the foyer.  That helped with the coat control.

 

Overall, we were thrilled with the way everything turned out.  It was a lot of work because I wanted to do all of the decorating and food prep, but it was a LOT of fun.  Since we flew out the next morning to spend the week-end in DC, I knew that relaxation was in my near future, and so, I didn’t mind being tired.  Now, be sure to come back tomorrow to get the delicious caramel corn recipe.

 

Take care.

Related posts:

default - Our Party PicsChristmas Past IMG 6833 - Our Party PicsChristmas Plaid Screen Shot 2017 11 07 at 4.30.33 PM 120x120 - Our Party PicsHoliday Party Invitations IMG 9422 - Our Party PicsThe Christmas Foyer

Share This:

Comments

  1. Lauren says

    December 19, 2013 at 11:57 pm

    Looks fabulous. I love preping everything ahead of time. Great desserts with no fuss!

  2. Corners of My Life says

    December 30, 2013 at 10:09 am

    Looks like fun. I am smiling just trying to picture where I would put 50 coats 😉

Jordan and Janette

HOUSE TOURS

ADVERTISE

CONTACT

Subscribe to our Blog

Where We Shop

  • Amazon
  • Baggallini
  • Etsy
  • Lands' End
  • Nordstrom
  • Wayfair

Search

Favorites

  • DIY Cook Top DIY Stove Cover
  • Finished no words 275x275 - Our Party Pics How to Turn Bi-fold Doors into French Doors
  • How to add storage to your kitchen cabinets - The 2 Seasons How to Add More Storage in the Kitchen
  • Transparent pie - The 2 Seasons Recipe for George Clooney’s Favorite Pie

Categories

Archives

DHgate kitchen supplies​
It’s time to pull out the patriotic pillows for It’s time to pull out the patriotic pillows for my second favorite holiday. Bring on the #redwhiteandblue #pillow #july4th #homedecor #familyroom #mybhg
A lucky yard is getting a truck full of #hydrangea A lucky yard is getting a truck full of #hydrangeas #flowers #gardening #landscape #landscaping
Ready for guests, and we just can’t wait!!! #gue Ready for guests, and we just can’t wait!!!
#guestroom #entertaining #frenchcountry #blueandwhite #traditionalhome #thecollectedlook #embroidery #bhg #mysouthernliving #blueandwhitedecor #mycollectedlook
✨Welcome to Week 72 of Beautiful Decor Home Tour ✨Welcome to Week 72 of Beautiful Decor Home Tour!

Come join us to meet new friends & discover beautiful decor. You will  be inspired !
.
.
PARTICIPATING IS EASY! .
. ✨1. Follow All Hosts and Guest Hosts

@oliviapitts1014 
@southernspangled
@coloradohousetohome
@thevidalnest
@vanfleetfamfarmhouse

Guest host ~ 
@vintagejoycemarie 
@j.m.g.designs 
@our.sweet.abode
@bloom_jennybrooks 
@highlandlace .
.
.
✨2. Follow the hashtag #BeautifulDecorStyles
✨3. Follow all accounts posted under the hashtag you enjoy & find inspiring
✨4. DM a permanent host to join the Tour & start making new friends
.
Beautiful Decor Tour runs weekly ~ Monday, 8 pm EST - Wednesday, 8 pm EST.

#beautifuldecorstyles72v .
These two kids are celebrating 74 years of marriag These two kids are celebrating 74 years of marriage today. Happy Anniversary to our parents and grandparents. #loveislove #happyanniversary
One of my favorite things about having a courtyard One of my favorite things about having a courtyard garden is picking flowers and herbs and bringing them inside. Flowers always brighten up a room. #gardening #flowers #flowersofinstagram #bouquet #bouquetofflowers #homedecor #frenchcountrystyle #bdsdaily3
Same table cloth with two different July 4th looks Same table cloth with two different July 4th looks. Which one do you like?  #tablescape #tablescapes #holidaytable #july4th #redwhiteandblue #cottagestyle #traditionalhome #colorful
Travel gives me the opportunity to find interestin Travel gives me the opportunity to find interesting art at affordable prices. These two ladies came from Cuba. I found them in the corner at a large art venue. I couldn’t love them more. #art #travel #cuba #homedecor #bathroomdecor #mybhg #cottagecore #traditionalhome
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Error: API requests are being delayed for this account. New posts will not be retrieved.

Log in as an administrator and view the Instagram Feed settings page for more details.

All Content © 2022 · The 2 Seasons

Designed + Created by Jelly Design Studio

Advertise | Privacy Policy