Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Peony Dinner Party





Just yesterday, I noticed that my peonies have had a major growth spurt in the last week. Although I love roses, I just get so impatient for them to bloom, so I am pretty sure God created the peony for those of us who are lacking in the patience department!

What is not to love about the peony? I think they are just beautiful and the added benefit of no thorns, beautiful green foliage and their yummy scent makes them even more spectacular!

Last year a few friends were wanting to get together for dinner. It was the last week of school. Need I say more? Busy, busy week with school activities, commitments, teacher gifts etc. but there is never a "good" time for everybody to get together...so, instead of procrastinating, we planned it! Even if only a few of us could make it, we were going to have a Spring Dinner Party!

No fancy invites, no fancy dinner. It was kept SIMPLE.

I called the girls via land line and then figured out a MENU for the evening that would work with our week. I LOVE PARTY MENUS!

This was the menu: Sparkling Lemonade
Homemade Bread or Artisan Bread from Costco...depending on time
Willamette Valley Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
Large Pasta Salad with Rotisserie Chicken
Vanilla Cupcakes with Strawberry Buttercream Frosting

Since the day of the dinner was going to be busy until that afternoon, I had made the cupcakes up ahead of time and stuck them in the freezer...I bake them without the wrappers and then put them in the wrappers before placing them on the cake stand.

I ran to Costco in the afternoon for the rotisserie chicken and Bebe Spring Mix. I got home, put the salads together, baked the bread and had time to decorate with a few things I had put together earlier on in the week.

Back to the flowers...the peonies were in FULL BLOOM...so, their colors were my inspiration for the party: Pink, yellow and white.

It was simple and so much fun to just sit and enjoy friendship. So there we were a group of friends talking, eating,and laughing. The birds were taking their evening baths, the water was bubbling away in the fountain and the neighbors weren't mowing their lawn...and to think we almost didn't get together because of how busy we all seemed to be. Sweet friends, sweet bouquets of fresh cut flowers, and sweet memories!

Please check out the Reluctant Entertainer to see what delicous scents others are filling their homes with.

Also linked to PINK SATURDAY!

pinkalicious thursday

12 comments:

  1. Now that's my kind of menu! Thanks for linking up today. I just love the idea of a peony party! I have a few bushes in my backyard :)

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  2. I have some reading to do...you've updated your blog and I've missed some of those older posts! How did that happen? ;)

    That peony party sounds wonderful! I love it when a plan comes together like that! :)

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  3. I love those little name card holders! What a pretty table and a lovely party idea!!!

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  4. Thank you for your sweet comment and for following my blog. I, too, love peonies. I hope to plant some this year. We just moved last August. I loved your menu and the beautiful pictures. It is always good to make time to be with friends.

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  5. Peonies are one of my favorite flowers. What a great theme for a party. Love the menu. Happy Pink Saturday and thanks for sharing your story.
    God bless ... Lynn at Cottage and Creek

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  6. Sounds like it was a lovely party. The peonies are great.

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  7. I love peonies and what a great party. Happy Pink Saturday, Char

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  8. Beautiful peonies. Ours are long gone, alas. What a fun gathering.

    Have a lovely PS weekend.
    TTFN ~
    Marydon

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  9. I have never tried growing these pretty flowers. The ones I have seen on the blogs have all been so pretty.

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  10. Such a lovely idea for a party.....
    I too love peonies. They and cabbage roses are two of my favorite flowers.
    Have a pinkishly beautiful weekend.

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  11. Perfect menu, perfect flowers! I'm sure you had a marvelous time. Happy Pink Saturday!

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  12. The party looks like it was fabulous! I'd love for you to share this post today at

    http://www.frugaliciousme.com/2011/07/pinkalicious-thursday-blog-party-10.html

    XOXO,
    Tasha

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