It began
with this invitation
and this vacation home
with this view
from this porch
with a party
for this girl...
I love creating good times with good food and fun for family and friends. A passion of mine!
Labeling party favors
Lavender wine jelly, made from lavender grown in my greenhouse at home in Alaska...
You can't go wrong with a home that has good bones. What an awesome dining room! It was huge. I needed the space, as we'd invited 25 for dinner.
What a beautiful antique piano in the dining room!
I had some help with the "vintage wine" theme from my granddaughter Karli!
This lovely hutch became the candy bar....
with vintage candies and personalized wrapped chocolate caramel bars.
The chocolate wrapper was a dilly to figure out!
Appetizers
Joan and I enjoying some harvest punch.
Mums and white roses -
one of the lovely flower arrangements on the table
place settings
all set for the guests
Yummy!
A special moment before our meal...
Guests are seated and reading the dinner menu.
Joan’s 50th Birthday Celebration
Appetizer
crudités platter and herb dip
artisan cheeses and marinated olives
kenai river sockeye spread and multigrain crackers
Salad
seasonal greens, baby carrots, chickpeas,
dried cherries with dill and balsamic dressing
Parmesan straws
Entrée
spice rubbed pork tenderloin
with lavender wine jelly
lemon caper smashed Yukon Gold potatoes
creamy shallot green beans
Dessert
vintage candy bar
black & white mousse cake wrapped in ganache
I think she was a bit overwhelmed.
The patriarch of the family presents a toast to his youngest.
Queen for an evening
The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate. 
