Miss Mia's Bougie Boozy Bridal Bash

Unless you've been living under a rock; you know that I've spent the last several months planning Mia's bridal shower. Unless you're here for the first time, that is, which, if so, welcome! For the rest of you, it finally happened! And it went as planned!

Our theme, was Brunch and Bubbly. I did a decent job of documenting the bubbly part; the brunch, not so much. So, you'll have to take my word for it when I say the menu was a huge hit! I served a breakfast casserole that is rapidly becoming a fan favorite, mini quiches, sausage links, mixed fruit, a selection of pastries, and mini pancake skewers with tiny syrup bowls. The pancakes were a huge hit and everyone assumed they were incredibly time consuming to prepare, which couldn't be farther from the truth (my secret weapon? A turkey baster. Not even kidding).

The bubbly portion of the party was also a huge hit. We served mimosas, wine, and coffee. The wine was in the champagne fountain (which really has no business billing itself as a champagne fountain because champagne won't flow through the damn thing; learned that one the hard way, which is why we had to serve the pink champagne from a pitcher), and the champagne bottles were chilling in the rose ice cubes that I'd spent months freezing. Well, two of the champagne bottles were chilling that way; we actually ended up going through eight bottles of champagne, the majority of which were in the fridge until we needed to pop them open (not kidding about this being a boozy bash).

We carried the theme through the guest favors, which were mini champagne bottles, tied with a straw. These were also a huge hit.

Most showers include games of some sort and this one was no different. We did a "What's On Your Phone?" game and a "How Well Do You Know the Bride?" game, which were both enthusiastically received. Or, maybe it was the prizes that the winners were enthusiastic over, rather than the games, themselves (good quality olive oil, balsamic oil, and sea salt with a glass cruet in one and a set of fancy cheese knives and a good quality cheese board in the other).

 

I had also included recipe cards in each invitation that I mailed, asking the guests to share their favorite recipe with the bride. Several guests who were unable to attend sent theirs by mail, which was a nice surprise for Mia. Queen B and I then presented the recipes in a personalized recipe binder, which Mia loved.

The flower wall that I purchased for the shower was a fantastic investment. It made a lovely backdrop for photos as well as for Mia to sit in front of while opening her gifts. So, if you live anywhere near Petticoat Junction and are looking for an awesome photo backdrop, I can totally hook you up! Otherwise, this bad boy will be living in my attic.

Speaking of backdrops; the champagne bottle and bubbles balloon arch kit was a total find at the Dollar General; the quality of the balloons was impressive considering how inexpensive the kit was, and, it looked adorable over the drink station.

Queen B and I purchased a countertop ice machine as our gift, which doesn't exactly photograph well 😅, but, Queen B knew both Mia and her groom would be stoked about it. Her groom will also be stoked about several of the lacy bits that Mia received, no doubt.

Unfortunately, only one of the bridesmaids and the junior bridesmaid were able to attend the shower (Queen B is the Maid of Honor, and then there are three bridesmaids and a junior bridesmaid), but she knocked it out of the park with her gifts! 

Reversable pillowcase, perfect for letting the groom know where he stands 😅. And wine bottles, labeled for special occasions, which is an idea that I am absolutely, shamelessly, going to steal.

Speaking of stealing ideas; I am also going to steal the "game" that Mia's grandma taught us. It's simple, actually; Jane quietly wrote down the statement that Mia made as she opened each gift, as well as other phrases that she said during that time, then, she read them to us with the caveat that, since none of us would be with Mia on her wedding night, these are the things she would be saying. It. Was. HILARIOUS! It was a first for me, but it won't be a last. I'm going to use it at every shower I host or attend.

What a fun day we had! The shower started at 10:30 and the last guest didn't leave until 4:00! Everyone was just enjoying the day, the porch, the company, and, of course, the case of champagne!  

Mia was so thankful for everything she got and simply grateful for having her people show up for her, which, is really the best gift of all. I loved meeting her mom, future mother-in-law, grandmother, and friends, who we will see again at the wedding. 

I am so glad I offered to host and that Queen B was there to help. We make a great team and I always love doing this kind of thing with her. Sadly, we had to say goodbye again of Sunday, but, my girl reassured me by whipping out her phone and showing me the countdown to the wedding on her calendar. Only 18 days until we see her again.

I can't wait.

National Night Out, Petticoat Junction Style

Friday afternoon, my staff and I participated in the National Night Out event hosted by the Petticoat Junction Police Department. The event is held nationally by law enforcement agencies in an outreach effort to community members who may not have the best relationship with first responders, as well as providing a fun evening for the community members who do.

We had attended the event hosted by the Hooterville PD earlier in the month, but, I can say with zero hesitation that the Petticoat Junction event was far superior. For one thing; Petticoat Junction provided a lot more activities for kids, which meant that we weren't solely responsible for their entertainment. Petticoat Junction also did a better job of entertaining the adults, while encouraging more participation from the first responders, and they did this in the form of a Police vs Firefighter relay race that involved staff from several local law enforcement agencies and the Petticoat Junction Fire Protection District.

The event was held at the park immediately adjacent to both the Police Department and the fire station, which meant we had a nice grassy area on which to set up our bubble stations and games (Hooterville held their event on the cement plaza in front of the police station, which made for slippery concrete around the bubble bins). We chose to set up fairly close to both the bouncy house and the dunk tank, so the kid's activities were in the same general vicinity.

Speaking of kids; both of mine attended! I had picked up Queen B earlier that morning and she was stoked to hear that her dad would be volunteering for the dunk tank later that evening, because of course she was. Both she and the Man-Cub made sure to get in line for a chance to dunk their dad. 

Mom and the Daughter-in-Love were also on hand to watch the dunking, which they enjoyed, thoroughly (Shanti also loved the bubble stations, as one does). 

The weather fully cooperated, making for a gorgeous evening, plus there were freshly grilled hamburgers and hotdogs, and; not just any hotdogs, according to Mom, but "actual Ball Park Franks!" (Mom is a hotdog connoisseur, who knew?).

It was actually a really enjoyable evening for everyone, my staff and myself included, despite the fact that we were working on a Friday. 

When work doesn't feel like work, you know it's been a good day at the office.

Hooterville should take notes.

Obligatory Summer Porch Post

I haven't written much about Porch Nights in the past several years, not because they haven't happened, but because I have been lazy, busy, or experiencing writer's lock (lots of the latter going on, in all honesty).

This past weekend, we hosted a group of friends and family for dinner on the porch, followed by a concert featuring Collin Raye. How did we manage that, you might ask? Simple: the local sweet corn festival contracted with the band for its concert, which, just happened to take place in the park less than a block from- and withing eyesight of- our house. So, we got to enjoy the music at a volume that still allowed for conversation, all while sitting in comfortable chairs with good food, drinks, and a restroom that wasn't a porta-potty shared by the masses.

Several of our guests are friends from out of town (the daughter of one of Oscar's best friends, her husband, and another couple who we were meeting for the first time), but we also visited with Mom, Oscar, Emily, the Man-Cub, Shanti, Shanti's bestie, Frankie, and with Shanti's parents. The porch was full, which is just how I Like it (Hugh and the menfolk retired to Hugh's Man Gazebo, where they smoked fine Cuban cigars and sipped on good whiskey while enjoying the fire pit; the Man Gazebo is to Hugh what the porch is to me).

This weekend, Queen B and I will be using the porch for Miss Mia's bridal shower. Next weekend, I will be using it for a wine sampling party with Mama Jill and company, and, the following week we will have the Bon Voyage party for Erin and Kristi. Obviously, we are getting a lot of use out of the porch that Hugh said we would never use.

Also; never letting him live that down.

Born To Be Wild

This past Saturday, Mom and I attended the jungle-themed baby shower that Jana threw for Kaley and Isaac. Jana did such a great job with the theme!  

She also did an amazing job with the multitude of games that she offered to the guests; we are talking a game for just about everyone's taste. Speaking of which, have you ever tried the game where you taste baby food and try to guess what the flavor is? No? Me neither, but that was on Jana's list.

Now, that was not my cuppa, but, I could have also chosen to participate in the "fastest baby bottle drinking competition" (pass), or the "guess how many animal crackers are in the jar" game (also a pass), but I chose to play the diaper pin game. You know the one; you get a diaper pin (or, in this case, a pink clothes line pin) and, if someone hears you say "baby", you have to give the your pin. Likewise, if you hear someone else say it, you steal their pin. The person with the most pins at the end of the shower wins. It's a pretty passive game, which is why I chose to participate (spoiler: I did not end the afternoon with the most pins. I did, however, manage to keep my original).

Jana also included a number of fun door prizes for each guest and a brunch that was delicious, as well as cupcakes and a full mimosa bar. Like I said, she really outdid herself, while also taking special care to include Isaac's mom as much as she was comfortable being involved; this was especially important to Jana (Jana knows how it feels to be sidelined; she didn't want Isaac's mom to experience that).

Of course the most important thing is; people showed up. Kaley and Isaac are very lucky to have friends and family who value them and who want to make the time to celebrate with them. That isn't always the case in this fast-paced world that we live in, and I hope they know how lucky they are.

 

Mom and I were happy to represent our family at the shower. Queen B couldn't make it because she already has plans to fly in for Mia's shower this weekend and she didn't feel like she could ask for additional time off from her new job. What's that? I never mentioned that she has a new job? I'm really going to have to do an update post on both of my offspring, soon. Anyhoodle, The Man-Cub and Shanti were at a different baby shower, for another friend, and Hugh was working at the hardware store, otherwise, they all would have joined in on the celebration, because that is what friends do.

It was a great party and I'm sure that Isaac and Kaley felt the love. Baby girl Richmond will be here before they know it and, now she'll have a fully decked-out nursery to come home to (as will her brother; the secret twin that I keep expecting them to discover. What can I say? My hoodoo-voodoo has never been wrong! I'm still in denial).