Outdoor Entertaining ~ Backyard Party

As I shared earlier this month I have been helping my Mom plan a small party for her bunco group.

For any of you who don't know, party planning is one of the small details we take great pride in.

We certainly do know how to throw a good time, while making your guests feel welcome & invited.

I think we enjoy planning the party almost as much as

 seeing it through to the final goodbye of the last guest.

This party turned out to be a great success!

The ladies enjoyed a great evening of fun, food & cocktails.

When we originally started to plan the party I thought it would be a great idea to have it outdoors.

This would accomodate the group of 12-14 women more comfortably than being indoors.

Little did we know that Iowa would have one of the hottest Summer's on record,

nor did we know that we were in for a heat wave for the entire two weeks prior to the party.

Thank goodness we had a reprieve on the evening of the ninth & the weather cooperated.

Well.....mostly!

We rented this long table & chairs for the main table.

Originally the plan was the table would be in the yard underneath the big Maple tree.

Well, there goes that darn Mother Nature again.

An hour before the party she changed our plans.

We had a huge down pour that lasted about 30 minutes.

So, we scrambled bringing the decor & bar indoors & out of the rain.

Thank goodness we saved the table cloths!

Then what do you know, 15 minutes before the party sunshine & clear blue skys again!

Back outside we went quickly before anyone was the wiser.

Outdoor Bar Area

Galvanized buckets served as chillers.

Filled with ice wine & bottled beer our guests could help themselves.

Don't be afraid to use your glass stemware outdoors.

It's a nice elegant touch added to a casual outdoor setting.

Perfect for outdoor evening entertaining.

We set up a couple different seating zones for guests to mingle throughout the yard.

Below is a bench near the pond.

Our menu was fairly light & refreshing.

Broccoli Salad, Greek Pasta Salad, Bruschetta, Fresh Strawberries,

& for dessert your choice of decadent carrot cake or a slice of sweet lemon cake.

The cake's came from a local bakery all the other food we made the afternoon of the party.

I actually decided to help out with preparing the food, refreshments, serving & clean up.

It made it much easier for my Mom to host & enjoy her guests for the evening.

Broccoli Salad with an Italian Vinaigrette

Greek Pasta Salad recipe from Everyday Occassions

I absolutely loved helping my Mom plan this party.

It was so much fun.

Hmmm I could even see myself as a bit of a party planner.

Do you like to host parties?

What about planning?  I would love to hear your stories.

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