Aged to Perfection

It began

with this invitation

 

and this vacation home

with this view

from this porch

with a party

for this girl...

I found the home on VRBO,  a wonderful site that has given me homes to stay in Kauai, Tahoe, Aptos, and now Occidental. And what a beautiful home it was!  A charming country home with a huge kitchen and wonderful entertaining space.  The home was furnished with beautiful antiques in every room.  Our bedrooms had fluffy down pillows and comforters, we had gorgeous oak floors and large windows, and a fireplace for warmth.

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.