I don't know about you, but for me a good ol' fashioned partAy always does this girl some good! Girls only. Plenty of scrumptious food. And a game or two to mix it up! I am up for a girls night out anytime of year, but my soul craves one in the dead of winter. I need something to focus on, something to plan, something to look forward to.
Last year because I was cooking through P-dubs cookbook, I did her Cowgirl Dinner Party menu.....and well it was quite the HIT! In fact my gals would have hog tied me, I think, if I hadn't thrown another.
I'd love to share my planning process with you....
Before even starting #1. ask you hubby if he would be so kind to take the kiddos out the night of the party....basically ask him to get lost for a few hours and then when he does get home, he needs to put the kiddos to bed and vamoose(no hangin' around)!
1. I made a list of my cowgirls from last year and then added some more. 18 in all. Go big or go home that's my motto. But if you are more comfortable with a more intimate dinner party, do what you are comfortable with....please don't feel the need to follow in my craziness.
2. A month before the party date I sent out a save the date email, letting them know an invite would follow. Last year I just sent an email...that's good enough, I think. The only reason I sent out invites this year is because my girlfriend gave them to me last year at the end of the last party, so I would throw another party. So I just hadta use um!
3. Two weeks out I sent out the invites, and included a card that asked the girls to bring aWhite Elephant gift. I told them that regifting was strongly advised and to be creative with the wrapping!
4. Five days prior to the party I made a very detailed list of the groceries I would need.
5. Two days prior I went grocery shopping and cleaned my hacienda....well a little bit.
6. The day before the party I made everything that I could make ahead of time. And bought lots of flowers and put them in random vases around the party zone. (Winter calls for flowers, they help lift moods.) I also made sure I had all my dishes, serving utensils, and linens out and cleaned.
7. The day of the party. Kenny took our hairy mongrel Jack to the groomer for me (if you don't have a big hairy pesky golden retriever then slash this detail, I didn't want his stinkyness to ruin any ones appetite). I spruced up the the house a bit. I prepared any food that needed to be made yet. And I asked a my sister and Big D to come over early to help me finish getting set up. They were a huge help, wiping wine glasses and taste testing the Bacontini's! ***Don't be afraid to ask friends for help!
NOTE: If a party like this sounds fun, but the idea of cooking and planning for days completely FREAKS you out, then get a bunch of your favorite gals together and divy up the food, make it more of a potluck. Hey they are your friends right, I am sure they would still love it just as much and it's all about getting together and enjoying each other, right?! This night was not with out blunder, or mess, and my house would not have passed the white glove test. Just so Ya'll know. I want this to inspire you to get together with friends! Make some memories!
So here is how it went down. I will have to say the White Elephant gift game was a blast, and proceeded to get entirely out of hand. Thus I will have to hold back on showing you photos of some of the gifts...since this is a family friendly site. Girls, girls, girls...tisk, tisk.



Big D said, "I likey" to the Bacontini! I waited until my sister and Big D got there to give them a try....so we had a little pre-party cocktail. (Be careful doing this it could really get you behind in your TOdo list)
Cowgirl Prayer
God grant me the patience to change the men I can,
The aim to shoot the men I can't,
and the wisdom to know the difference!
Can I get an AMEN?
Jalepeno Thingys. TDF.
My gal Rebecca and I are going to start a Sisterhood of the Jalepeno Thingy. They are not every ones gig....but if you do fall head over heals for them, it can be a very dangerous thingy!
What's a girly party with out a little guac?!!!
And of course chips and salsa...I made this salsa.
Beef Tenderloin, Creamy Herb Potatoes, and the MUSHROOMS!

The above was a plant from a funeral....HOKEY PETE!



I received a life time supply of chocolate pudding! A very fitting gift.

Big D received the much coveted Moose Wine Bottle Holder. YIKers!

Time for Creme Brulee'!!
Luv ya!
Looks like you girls had a blast. Come on! Share the name of the book. lol.
ReplyDeleteLove your cowgirl party! Your entertaining tips are great! You have inspired me to have some girlfriends over soon.
ReplyDeleteI am so sad I missed the partayyy! Hopefully I can get there for the next one. Everything looked fantastic, my mouth was watering looking at the food. You rock the cowgirl party!
ReplyDeleteOh what a fun time was had by all of you.
ReplyDeleteHow far are you from Kansas? This Dorothy
wants to come. Hahaaaaa
(cow)Boy that was fun! Can we do it again next weekend?
ReplyDeleteHow fun! Looks like you guys had a blast!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh.....I felt like you guys were back at the ranch. Loved seeing Big D and the gang! Bacon and chocolate? Wow, this trend hasn't hit Pawhuska yet! Seriously, it's good? Your mini wedge salad is a stroke of genius!
ReplyDeleteI got my second prize....RED LETTER WORDS!! Even more beautiful in person. Thanks so much!
Can I be invited next year? Looks fabulous, and it looks like you had a blast. Such a fun evening for your lucky friends.
ReplyDeleteThis looks so fun!!!! Good thing I don't live closer or I'd be trying to snag an invite for next year. :-)
ReplyDelete