Nov 2, 2015

Night Circus


I posted about an extravaganza that my daughter Lindsay hosted in her home, last year.
It was called "Into the Woods", and you can see it here.
This year, the theme was "Night Circus".
This was the invitation.


The dinner was held at Lindsay's house, and Brook who is the creator of the Cooking Group, was the co host.
All of the furniture and decor was moved to the garage, while the transformation took place days before the event.
Lindsay can fit 32 women in her family room, seated at the tables.
Everyone is told to come in costume, vintage circus theme, black and white with a touch of red.


Lots of friends stayed late into the night (many nights), creating the decor.
By late into the night, I mean 3:30 - 6:00 am.


These young moms didn't get to sleep in either, they had to wake up before 7:00 am and get their children ready for school!


Jeremy is Lindsay's patient and dear, sweet husband. 
He cut out the wood for the letters that spelled "circus",  painted them, and risked limb and body, hanging them over the balcony.
 He  also put up with his house being in turmoil, for over a week!


This was the backdrop for "selfies".
Jeremy is putting LED lights in the clouds so they glow :)


The night before the gala, Lindsay and her friend Kara, pound and patted the pork preparing it for the dinner.


They lined the pork loins with kale and an exotic mushroom mixture.


They carefully rolled the loin and covered it in prosciutto.


Meanwhile, the women in the next room continued creating the decor.


There is still lots of clean up needed, but the entryway is coming together!



These are the appetizers...
The table at the far left has the gourmet popcorn....


 Homemade salted pretzels


Pork belly corn dogs


I thought the Cherry Garcia flavor was the best!


Miniature funnel cakes, they were so yummy!!!


Brook and Lindsay made gourmet lollipops for everyone to take home.



Look at the place settings!
The name tags are two cookies, and each one was decorated, according to the recipient's personality.
The writing is so fine, I could hardly believe it was done with frosting!!!


See what I mean?  Each one is just slightly different, and they all have a touch of red glitter.



This is the room where Madame Mia read our tarot cards :)


 What beautiful and original costumes!
I never would have thought of the "diving" girl :)


Claire's costume was elegant and her boots!!!


 Karli and Kara are mischievious sisters, lol!
They were frying up the funnel cakes and pork belly corn dogs.
My daughter Rebecca, has the rushed skirt, I just wanted to show it from the back :)


Rebecca dressed as the "bearded lady", I think her beard looks great!
She cut pieces off a wig and glued them to her chin.
I love her eye makeup too!


 Mother and daughter, having a great time!




 Rebecca and Lindsay, they are moms now, but when they were growing up, they were my only children who would eat everything I gave them, including different kinds of vegetables :)
They are only a year apart in age.


Rebecca had her cards read :)


So did I!


This is what the clouds look like when the LED lights are lit.
They glow like the moon is shining on them!


 It's time for dinner, let's enter the dining area.


This is the menu


Lindsay's assembling the salad,


while Brook clears away some of the cocktail glasses.


 Kim and Mindy made lots of cotton candy and filled the cocktail glasses.
Then we poured a light bubbly drink over the cotton candy, it was so good!


The table is so beautiful, especially with all the candles lit!


This is the circus tent effect that Lindsay created on her vaulted ceiling, over the tables.


Brook and Kara, both ringmasters.


Lindsay is a ringmaster too!




Two of my daughters and I, we missed you Vanessa :)




Here is the salad, you can read about it on the red menu board.



Brook and Lindsay bowed to enthusiastic cheers for all of their hard work on our behalf.


 Esmeralda and her genie in a box!


The stuffed pork loin wrapped in prosciutto with roasted apples was delicious!!!


I included these two photos so you can admire the lashes, lol!!!



Brook's hat is so fancy and elegant!


Here's my plate of food, it was so scrumptious!
I think my favorite might have been the stuffed squash :)


Before we get to the dessert, I'll show you some of the costumes.













Dessert was delicious and it was light, not making you feel stuffed.
Chocolate Sable Breton, poached pear in vanilla and spices, sprinkled with pistachios and edible 24K gold flakes.


Lindsay's design and Jeremy's masterpiece, welcomed everyone to their home.


Thank you so much for looking at all the photos!
The evening was memorable, the company was great :)
So many of Lindsay's friends stayed until the wee hours of the morning, washing dishes, pots and pans, and taking down decorations.
Even with all the help, it still took a few days to get the house back in order.
It was well worth it though, memories were created!

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Oct 26, 2015

Farm Girl Vintage quilt


I finished one of my Farm Girl Vintage quilts, with most of my favorite blocks!
I love the American flag, the Canadian maple leaf, the milking can, Mama Hen, the canning jars, the strawberry and the cherry, Penny Pig, the stars, the cute little lamb and the mixing bowls and wooden spoon.
I really, really love this quilt.
I have a lot more Farm Girl Vintage quilts in the works, this isn't the only one I'm making.
They are all so irresistible!

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