I can’t believe it!  Our forecast for the week is showing the lows in the 40’s and 50’s.  I know that doesn’t sound like much to anyone living up North, but this is a big deal for us down here in South Texas.  I actually had a conversation with a coworker the other day about when it is appropriate to start wearing boots – even though it has been officially fall for almost a month, we have still been wearing shorts and sandals.  And I am not sure what is happening as I get older, but I am becoming more and more sensitive to the heat, so this cooooool front is definitely wanted and needed down here.  I mean, how am I supposed to look all cute and fall-y when it’s 90 degrees outside?!?!?!  I know my Texas girls feel me on this one……

Anyway, with that said, T and I hosted our 3rd annual Fall Party at our house last night.  I’m pretty sure the first year we had the party it was my first time hosting a big party like that, and let me tell you, I have learned so much since then!  And I should mention I now appreciate the work that goes into throwing a party and thanking the hosts/hostesses so much more than I ever have in the past.  I usually start planning about a month in advance for something like this, slowly gathering ideas and pinteresting, but of course waiting until the day before to throw it all together.  Here are a few of the things I have learned over the years:

Lesson 1 learned: the first year, we tried to work around the Longhorn and Aggie football games, doing more of a “tailgate/football” theme with mimosa and bloody mary bars……starting at 11 am.  NEVER AGAIN (unless I can make myself start preparing more than 1 day ahead of time, which probably won’t happen!)  I was running around like a mad woman that day.  This year, I didn’t even look at the football schedule and T and I decided 5:00 pm would be a much better time to start (and give us way more time to prep!)  We actually were dressed and ready to go when the guests started showing up, instead of trying to finish blow drying my hair (Anna & Kyle – you might remember this) when people start arriving.

Lesson 2 learned: accept any kind of help that is offered.  My mom and T’s mom and the dads, too, have always been a HUGE help when preparing for any kind of party – whether it is bringing food, heating up food, helping decorate, entertaining the pups, cleaning, setting up, etc., they are always a huge help.  The guys usually get the less glamorous duties, such as picking up the dog poop in the yard, moving hay bales around, and being “on call” to make any last minute trips for ice, more food/drink, etc.

Lesson 3 learned: you can never have enough food (or drinks, both alcohol and non.)  I’m actually still amazed at how much food we went through last night….seriously.

Lesson 4 learned: I think this is the biggest one for me – Your house will not be perfect (especially if you live in it and have 2 dogs who like to run in the flower beds with fresh black mulch and chase people walking by. End.Of.Story.  There is absolutely no way to keep everything perfectly in place.  So, I get it all ready, take my pics, and then accept that your guests are not there to judge you or your house, but to have a good time with you.  They aren’t going to care if there is a paw print on the back door, or if the carpet is perfectly vacuumed, or if there is a dish in the sink.  Like I said, they are your friends and family, and they came to be with YOU!  So enjoy their company and the time you are getting to spend with them.

I have to say, I am very, very pleased with how our party turned out yesterday.  The company was great and here’s the best part – there were FOURTEEN kids here!  Well, I guess 13 and 1 tiny little baby, but yes, even though we don’t have kids yet, there really is something to watching kids run and play and have fun together – just the innocence and joyfulness of it makes my heart happy 🙂

I didn’t snap any pics of the dinner that was served – chicken spaghetti with garlic bread (thanks Mom for bringing!) and chili with all the fixings (thanks Mary!)  I made this fall kale salad minus the chicken and quinoa crisps and chopped it up real good, and it was a big hit!  I also didn’t get any pics of the desserts we had either – a coworker of mine has been talking about this pumpkin dumpcake she’s made a few times, so I had to try it, and it is heavenly!  So thankful for the recommendation!

On a closing note, T and I have had so much going on lately, I am working on a post to catch everyone up on it all.  With the hurricane and my broken ankle and some other things, I haven’t really been able to keep up with all of my priorities (this blog and my fantasy football team didn’t make the priority cut.)  But now I’m back and I have to say, my ff team is kicking butt this week and I am super motivated about bringing the blog back to life!  I think I just got overwhelmed for a bit and the whole fight or flight thing kicked in, and I chose option #2, flight.

Cheers – MP

Mom, T, Me, Dad – isn’t my footwear so cool?  Tennis shoes with a sweet ankle brace – only 1 more week left of wearing the ankle brace! Woo hoo!

Pottery Barn serving platter and cheese knives

Brie, Apple, and Honey Crostini on Pottery Barn Juliette Serving Platter on Abbott Island Buffet Hutch

Mini Cheese Ball Bites on Lenox serving platter

Tic Tac Toe for the kiddos

Frontgate beverage tub and floor stand

Lantern from, you guessed it, Pottery Barn

These delicious gnocchi from World Market with Trader Joe’s Autumnal Harvest Pasta Sauce

Lazy Susan spinning bar

T’s best friend MADE this drink dispenser for him for his birthday – how awesome is that!

Stag Decanter – PB; Bar Tools – PB; Cocktail Shaker – PB, similar style

Hurricane Candle Holder with fall lights and decor

Round vase with beautiful roses from hubby and filler from Pier 1

No party is complete without some good ol’ cheese dip and chips!

I cannot for the life of me remember the brand of the bowl that the cheese dip is – it was a wedding present and is absolutely beautiful, but I just cannot remember the brand – and I’ve been googling and googling trying to figure it out…….

chips in Arthur Court Grpae Stand Acrylic Bowl