 | 18 Sep 09 |
And I find the best ones are the ones I throw! Yesterday, pregnant daughter and I were out and about shopping for the baby shower her great aunt, grandmother and myself are throwing for her next week. Mind you, we’ve been planning this for months.
I don’t do half-assed parties. Neither does my mother-in-law or aunt, thank god! I’d have a fit if they did. I did get talked into having the shower at my house, which, if you’ve seen the pics of my backyard on my website, you’d know it’s perfect, plus my house is good size with a floor plan conducive to large gatherings, so it seemed the thing to do. My biggest reluctance was not wanting to work the party. So, we decided to go with a cold luncheon menu: crab sandwiches, chicken salad sandwiches, tomato and cream cheese sandwiches as well as a traditional antipasto platter. There will be pasta salad, frog-eyed salad, fruit salad with strawberry marshmallow cream cheese dip, and hors d’oeuvres galore. Beverages include bellinis, iced tea, strawberry lemonade and sherbet punch. My mil has baked all kinds of fabulous biscotti. Raspberry white chocolate. Chocolate chip, and hand-dipped, chocolate traditional. Yummy!
I ordered a pink and white fondant cake from the same gal who did my daughter’s engagement party cake and wedding cake. I’m using the same florist who out-did themselves at my daughter’s wedding. I’ve hired a bartender and a server/cleaner. I’ve ordered the tables and the umbrellas and the color coordinated linen table clothes. I ordered the cutest baby shower napkins and plates. We picked up the games and prizes today, the cutlery, glassware, and a few extras. The favors are custom decorated hand made truffles in the neatest little see-thru truffle boxes! They will be hanging from a cute little tree by their bows. I still have to buy booties and other baby things for the decorations. Oh, and balloons, must not forget balloons. I’m not doing too many of those. Some outside and a few in the house.
My carpet guy comes next Wednesday, my housekeeper and window cleaner Friday, chairs, tables and umbrellas will be delivered Saturday. I’m even buying more pink and white impatients for the planters out front. We’ll be busy in the kitchen all weekend, but by the time my guests arrive at one o’clock on Sunday, the house and grounds will look great and everyone will feel welcome and special.
Now, my husband thinks I’m going waaaaaay overboard. He doesn’t understand why I’m spending $120 for a cake, when Costco has good ones for less than $20. He doesn’t understand why we need flower arrangements when I can get flowers from Costco and do them myself. He doesn’t get why we need color coordinated linens, plates and cutlery. He thinks it’s stupid to hire a bartender and a server when I am fully capable (Um hello! I’d like to enjoy myself here!). Games and prizes? Who needs it! And those truffle things? Way overboard! Balloons, get them at Safeway not the balloon specialist in town. I just shake my head and explain to him again: When I invite a guest into my home for a shower, which is an expectation of them laying out some of their hard-earned cash for our daughter in the form of a gift, for me, saying thank you by doing a cheap, half-ass job is insulting to my guest. So, I’m going to go out of my way to feed them good vittles, entertain them, and make sure they leave with good memories and a nice little memento.
And from the looks of what my dear friends and family have purchased for my daughter, lunch and a truffle favor is small in comparison to their generosity. So, when I explain this to him in those terms, he gets it, but he still grumbles about a $120 pink cake. For the record, it’s pink and white fondant with a pink fondant bow and cute little pink and white and yellow baby foot prints on it, topped with a spray of fresh pink and white flowers. Freaking adorable!
So, I know I have talked entertaining before, but I want to know from you all, do you like to entertain, and do you go all out or are you more conservative and think I’m crazy?
Oh, and I’ll have pictures to share next time I blog!
© 2009 Karin Tabke. All rights reserved.
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I used to go a lot more’all out’, but never did anything at home that required a bartender. A couple of those “big” birthday parties and a post-wedding brunch were about it for home. The weddings were held elsewhere, so they don’t really count.
But now that it’s just two of us, we’ve gotten a lot more reclusive. We even go out for Thanksgiving. Tonight is a special holiday dinner, and I had to invite another couple to share it or I knew I wouldn’t want to cook at all. I confess I ordered the challah from Publix. Not even a specialty bakery. I used to bake my own, but with the climate here (we’re still in the 90′s), turning on the oven for the Pflaumkuchen and the main meal is enough.
Now — if we ever get out of this state, and move closer to a couple of the kids — ask me again.
I’m dying to see pictures. And recipes. And glad you’re feeling better!
by Terry Odell September 18th, 2009 at 4:38 amTerry, explain challah, and Pflaumkuchen?
by Karin Tabke September 18th, 2009 at 8:59 amI’ll be sure to post pictures!
Challah is bread – egg bread, which for this holiday is done as a round loaf to signify the end of one year and the beginning of the next.
The pflaumkuchen is our family’s (and many others’) traditional dessert — I make it because I don’t like honey cake, which is the other traditional dessert. I’ve got pictures of this morning’s baking effort on my facebook profile. http://www.facebook.com/terry.odell
(I didn’t put up one of the bread because I bought it.)
by Terry Odell September 18th, 2009 at 9:08 amI commented. That looks dleish!
by Karin Tabke September 18th, 2009 at 9:33 amYou only get one First Grandchild baby shower. Of course, you should do it up right. (And then because you can’t let the other babies down, any successive showers need to match it.
)
It sounds like it’s going to be lovely, Karin. I hope you do get a chance to relax and enjoy it all.
by B.E. Sanderson September 18th, 2009 at 5:10 amBeth you are so right, I’ll only have a first grandchild once! I hope to enjoy the day too. Relax? Maybe.
by Karin Tabke September 18th, 2009 at 9:01 amI say go for it. You know you’re just doing your part to stimulate the economy.
It sounds wonderful and your daughter is very blessed to have you. So is that soon to arrive grandchild.
Enjoy!
by HollyD September 18th, 2009 at 7:24 amStimulate the economy indeed! Thank goodness my mil and aunt are kicking in.
by Karin Tabke September 18th, 2009 at 9:03 amBaby Gianna’s due date is 11/11/09 but the doc says she’ll come earlier coz she’s already a big girl. My daughter is *so* ready to have her.
I’m more conservative, but so is this part of the country. If I did what you are doing someone would be calling the dudes wearing lab coats and they would provide me with the form-fitting white jackets for my trip to Vinita (local wacky bin)
by Margaret A. Golla September 18th, 2009 at 7:31 amMargaret there are going to be 50 ladies here. And none of them are my daughter’s friends or co workers! that’s a whole ‘nuther shower the following weekend. So, I gotta go big. Besides, I don’t think we have any lab coat wearing party pooper dudes in California (they were banned in the sixties). We love to party for the hell of it, give us a reason, and we are so there!
by Karin Tabke September 18th, 2009 at 9:08 amEvery year we host a holiday open house in December. It’s really the only time each year we see some of our friends. It’s really low key, buffet style set up, and usually people bring something, a bottle of wine or beer or some sort of food to share. That’s pretty much the extent of my entertaining other than family dinners.
by Karen Olson September 18th, 2009 at 7:46 amKaren, I love open houses during the holidays! But I must confess, every year hubby and I throw a huge Christmas bash (complete with Dickens carolers). Well, not the last two years (deadline issues. hubby is still pouting), this year no party coz the baby will be too new. I think I’m going to become a germaphobe with all the lovely little viruses making their rounds this year.
by Karin Tabke September 18th, 2009 at 9:13 amOh, Karin, you and I would have fun doing parties together! I love it, and am right now in the planning stages of a big, biennial Halloween bash, our third. The house gets “done”, inside and out, lightbulbs are swapped for black lights, candles are lit, and food is made, lots and lots of it, all with a Halloween theme, but with a sophisticated twist.
Have fun with the party, but there will be lots more parties to come, with a new little one on the way.
by Karen in Ohio September 18th, 2009 at 7:50 amYay, another party girl!!! I love Halloween parties. I’ve never thrown one tho. How fun! My daughter and hubby love Halloween. sigh, we used to do the house outside, or I should say hubby did, then he would dress up and scare the crap out of the kids. I love the idea of Halloween food with a sophisticated twist. So can I rsvp now?
by Karin Tabke September 18th, 2009 at 9:16 amSure. Be here, or be, er, something that rhymes with “here”.
Cincinnati, babe. In costume. Bring the cop.
by Karen in Ohio September 18th, 2009 at 10:37 amI’ll bring the cop!
by Karin Tabke September 18th, 2009 at 10:48 amWe have an annual Halloween party, we’ve done it since we moved here 9 years ago, but my awesome neighbors really handle everything – its a lot of fun
and I have good friend who happens to be a costume designer so he digs out some of his VERY cool costumes and brings them every year for those who have no costume. Good times!!
by Bonnie H September 18th, 2009 at 2:11 pmSounds like you have every new mom’s dream baby shower planned for your daughter. The cake and all the food sound amazing. I’m not really a good party planner, but can take care of making the food and drinks without any trouble.
by Liza September 18th, 2009 at 8:16 amLiza, I do, and I’m having so much fun. I love doing this and for my daughter and first grandchild? It doesn’t get much better.
by Karin Tabke September 18th, 2009 at 9:18 amI’m hungry from reading your list of foods. Yum. We don’t have bartenders and are much more conservative, but in my own way I tend to overdo it when we have guests. When I do something, I want to do it well!
by Edie September 18th, 2009 at 8:30 amEdie, I’m hungry too! There are some really delish family recipes we’re using. I can’t wait to dig in. I had you pegged for a party goil too. Go, us!
by Karin Tabke September 18th, 2009 at 9:20 amKarin, I’d rather go to a party at your house, than my house! Will you be free to do my NYT Bestseller List party if I ever hit the list?
Hope you have a fabulous time! And best wishes to your daughter.
Can’t wait to see pics!
by Jen Lyon September 18th, 2009 at 9:29 amJen, I would love to plan your New York Times Best Seller party! Yes, yes, yes, a thousand times, Yes!
You realize, it would have to be in New York?! Manhattan of course, maybe somewhere in Times Square…
by Karin Tabke September 18th, 2009 at 9:35 amI’m a hire-it-out girl. I prefer to go someplace a month or so prior, pay for what I want, then show up at the day/time to find everything done and ready to go. No prep, no clean-up.
Have you considered being a party planner…? (just kidding! Keep writing!)
by S. J. Day September 18th, 2009 at 9:34 amSyl, I battled the elders. It was colossal. I wanted it at a trendy little restaurant, they didn’t want to pay the ridiculous fee (70 on the guest list, 50 attending gets pricey, but i say spilt three ways wouldn’t have been *that* bad)). So I caved, hence the bartender (the only alcohol served will be bellinis), who is also going to be helping the server and they both will come early to help set up and stay to clean it all up.
Snap! I need to designate an official photographer! I knew I was forgetting something. Thank goodness my eldest daughter and my son-in-law’s cousin love taking pics and are quite good at it. Off to send emails!
by Karin Tabke September 18th, 2009 at 9:46 amI have never planned anything like that, Karin, and wow, I’ll bet it’s going to be gorgeous. (With two boys only, there was never a call for anything “pretty.” Not even for weddings. Or baby shower two years ago.)
I’ll tell ya what, though — I’ll bet it’s going to be stunning and memorable. Makes me wish I had that talent!
by Toni McGee Causey September 18th, 2009 at 10:03 amToni, I figure my future daughter-in-laws’ family will be throwing the engagement parties and showers as well as the weddings, so I’m taking what I can get when I can. My eldest daughter is engaged and planning on next year taking the plunge, so I see more parties in my future! Oh, and then there will be my granddaughter’s first birthday!
by Karin Tabke September 18th, 2009 at 10:16 amOh! It sounds absolutely wonderful Karin
your dau is a lucky girl. I wish I could plan something like that, its just not something I’m good at – pretty much my specialty is “my home is always open, can someone gifted plan something here for me?” LOL
by Bonnie H September 18th, 2009 at 11:16 amBut this will be an awesome memory for y’all! And my grandson’s b-day is Nov 12th – its a good time of year to become a grandma for the first time haha. And I say if you can afford it, go for it! The guests will appreciate it and so will your daughter.
Bonnie, your grand baby is so damn adorable! I can’t wait for mine to get here!
by Karin Tabke September 18th, 2009 at 11:24 amI HATE showers of any kind, except hot ones! LOL But then I’ve never been to a shower with all the works, as you have laid out. WOW. I would come to that shower. What time should I be there?
Seriously, I stopped going overboard on parties a long time ago. I’ll have to hire you for my next shindig! What are your hourly rates?
by ArkansasCyndi September 18th, 2009 at 11:20 amOne o’clock!
Cyndi, I don’t particularly like showers either. Wedding or baby. Over the years I’ve been to a few where there has been no consideration given to the guests. Made me want to leave and take my gift with me. I’m hoping no one feels that way when they arrive for my daughter’s shower. I want a fun festive day where everyone is smiling, visiting and ooing and ahhing over my kid.
My going rate for event planning is the same for everyone: no charge for my services but you *must* give me an unlimited budget so I can go crazy!
by Karin Tabke September 18th, 2009 at 11:31 amYes, you are CRAZY. But I also think people who entertain are amazing! It is a concept I cannot wrap my brain around.
I have never thrown a party, hosted ANY dinner guests or been responsible for the amusement of other human beings, and I hope I never have to be!
To me, few things are more stressful than being responsible for other people having a good time.
I will just settle for doing my part and being a good party guest.
by Jody September 18th, 2009 at 11:58 amJody, I LOVE to entertain. I got the itch from my southern grandmother. She threw some of the most lovely events I’ve ever attended. It wasn’t usual for her parities to make the society page in the newspapers. It’s in mah genes! I can’t help mahself. Now all of that said, I do love to attend a great party and not have to lift one finger. Breeze in, have fun, breeze out.
by Karin Tabke September 18th, 2009 at 12:38 pmI don’t think you are crazy, parties at the Tabke house are awesome. Sounds like it will be LOTS of fun.
Congratulations again to you, the daughter, and new baby.
by Jill James September 18th, 2009 at 11:59 amWhy, thak you vera much, Jill!
by Karin Tabke September 18th, 2009 at 12:40 pmHey Karin, angel grandbaby is so lucky to have you!!! I forgot, what name will she be calling you?
Well, we used to have parties way more than we do now. Ours are all holidays, birthday celebrations these days. My favorite ones, besides the above, are the boating, lazy days on a patch of beach with a portable grill and beer. lol. Keeping it simple seems to be the theme around here!
by LaDonna September 18th, 2009 at 12:02 pmLaD I still don’t have a name picked out! I’m starting to panic! Your lazy days at the beach sound wonderful.
by Karin Tabke September 18th, 2009 at 12:41 pmWell, I’m nana – my SIL’s mom is grandma, and his stepmom is granny. It rocks being nana because he can already make that sound so I get to pretend he’s talking to me LOL
by Bonnie H September 18th, 2009 at 2:22 pmI don’t want to be grandma, i dunno, i just feel like it won’t justify my awesome grandma-ness! lol.
by Karin Tabke September 18th, 2009 at 4:20 pmMimi is good since I’m Irish and grew up in the south, but I know someone named Mimi and well, I’m not going to use it. I LOVE Gigi, but everyone has given me the thumbs down. I’ll probably go with nonnie. Or who knows, my granddaughter just might come up with something that hasn’t been invented yet!
Yeah, thats what I told my dau – I’ll just be whatever Connor decides to call me (within reason LOL) but she’s like “No, you’re nana and that’s it” haha.
by Bonnie H September 18th, 2009 at 10:36 pmAll of your ideas sound cool – what is your daughter saying?
Karin, you rock and I’m sure this will be a wonderful shower.
Frist grandchild isn’t really the total thing here, because you’d do it this way first or third. That’s who you are and we love you for it.
I’m totally in agreement with you. I think that anyone who’s having a party at their house should always do it to the very best of what they can. Some may be able to do bigger things than others, but the important thing is that you’ve done the best you can and your guest will love you for it.
Now, one question. Frog-eyed salad? What is that?
I can’t wait to see the pictures.
by Vicki September 18th, 2009 at 12:05 pmThank you Vicki! I wish you lived closer and could attend. Frog-eyes salad? It’s something my mil makes. it’s kind of weird, but it’s really good. I’ll get the recipe. You’ll love it!
by Karin Tabke September 18th, 2009 at 12:43 pmOkay. I’m always late for the party! Dang deadlines. Pour me a bellini and chase it with a scotch on the rocks!
The last big party I planned was the morning after breakfast for my FIL and his second wife. Her daughters were supposed to help and they did nothing but breeze into town and then sit on their butts while our side of the family cooked, served, hosted, and cleaned up. NEVER AGAIN! If I can’t hire it done, it ain’t happenin’! Just sayin’.
The Only is planning her wedding for a year from January. It will be grandiose (as her father complains every time she updates the budget), though she is doing many of the things herself. I’m glad that first fine arts degree isn’t going to waste. Still…I just want to write the check! I think you have it all goin’ on, girlfriend!
by Silver James September 18th, 2009 at 12:09 pmSilver, I want pictures! Lot’s and lot’s of pictures. How exciting. I love weddings! Especially the ones I don’t have to pay for!
by Karin Tabke September 18th, 2009 at 4:21 pmThank God I’ll be at a football game! Hey! I didn’t see the Gino’s Pizza Rolls on the menu. . .
by Hubby September 18th, 2009 at 12:23 pmI’ll go with you…… I’m more like a guy when it comes to the whole party thing….fire up the BBQ, everybody brings a dish and we sit on the floor and eat with our fingers!
by Jody Werner September 18th, 2009 at 12:32 pmI personally like the licking of the fingers afterwards…
)
by Hubby September 18th, 2009 at 2:53 pmJody, don’t let him fool you, the man is the one who hunts down the Dickens carolers and insists on the holiday party every year. *And* decorating the house for Halloween *and* dressing up and scaring the poop out of every kid in the neighborhood. And for the record he grills a mean slab of St Louis style ribs.
by Karin Tabke September 18th, 2009 at 4:27 pmI am ALL FOR scaring the neighborhood children! I figure an ex-cop would certainly have a lot of tricks up his sleeve for doing THAT. I DO love Halloween, I bet the three of us could wreak some serious havoc.
My birthday is the day after Halloween so I used to always have costume birthday parties when I was little.
by Jody Werner September 18th, 2009 at 4:33 pmOh fun! what game?
by Bonnie H September 18th, 2009 at 2:02 pmWhat game? Why the Los Medanos College Mustang’s game of course!
by Hubby September 18th, 2009 at 2:52 pmOh DUH *smacks forehead* why didn’t know that? LOL
by Bonnie H September 18th, 2009 at 2:57 pmsnerk!
by Karin Tabke September 18th, 2009 at 4:24 pmHoney, you know you are not allowed to say the pizza roll word in my presence!
by Karin Tabke September 18th, 2009 at 4:23 pmI have to run out for a few hours. More things to do, I’ll be back to catch up on comments!
by Karin Tabke September 18th, 2009 at 12:44 pmThe party sounds wonderful, Karin. I plan a big one every XMAS and do all the food/decorating myself. I love XMAS time because everyone always seems to be in a great festive mood…
by Toni Hingleton September 18th, 2009 at 12:53 pmI love your menu…are we gonna get recipes??
Can’t wait to see your pics…
All the best to you and the new Grandbaby!!
1st Grandbaby’s only come around once..
~toni
Toni, isn’t it fun? yes, yes lot’s of work, but when everyone comes together to eat drink and be merry and you’ve made it all possible, it’s a good feeling.
I’ll be happy to share the recipes. the crab sandwiches are dee-lish and so is that frog-eyed salad.
oh and the biscotti. yum yum yum. give me a few days to get them. hmm, maybe my next post in two weeks will be recipes and pictures?
thank you for the good wishes. I am just so excited.
by Karin Tabke September 18th, 2009 at 4:32 pmWOW! When you throw a party, you throw a party.
by Patricia Barraclough September 18th, 2009 at 5:55 pmI like to decorate and set up a nice party. I was a military wife for 24 years and did a lot of coffees, luncheons, and receptions. Haven’t done much since we retired and miss it.
Hey, Patricia who needs an excuse to throw a party? Call it a For Old Times Sake party.
by Karin Tabke September 20th, 2009 at 9:42 pmChiming in late here! I was sick! I think I caught something from Silver!!! But anyway, I’m not a “regular” entertainer but when I do it, I like to do it right!!!! Your party sounds awesome! (the $120 cake was definitely the right choice!) The last really BIG party I threw was for my bestfriend’s 50th birthday. Let me tell you it was done up right! With gag gifts and all (she was just getting a divorce so you can imagine what kind of gifts. Too bad she was cell phone illiterate at the time and didn’t realize how easy it was to take pictures of impulsive acts. hehehehehe
by Debra Webb September 21st, 2009 at 7:30 amDeb, I had you pegged for a party girl!
by Karin Tabke September 22nd, 2009 at 3:02 pm