by Blogger of the Month Jerusalem Greer. Be sure to read to the end, she is giving away one of her books!!!

 

First let me begin by saying that this winter weather is cramping my spring style.  I did my best to bring the spring indoors this past weekend, for a small gathering of friends, but the weather did not cooperate with my photo taking plans.

Also, I forgot to iron my hankie bunting. So we were slightly wrinkly indoors and out.

But no matter, a party doesn’t have to be perfect to be fun. In fact, I have learned over the years, just the opposite is true. I little imperfection -especially for events that take place at your home- helps to set everyone a little more at ease. (Or maybe I just want to believe that because I gave up perfection for Lent a decade ago and never really missed it.)

This past Saturday, while several of my AWB pals where mucking it up in Dallas at Blissdom, I had my own (albeit tinsy tiny) women’s blog conference in my dining room. Three lovely blogging friends joined me for a Mini Make-Over party, complete with a Presenter from our Conference Sponsor (a Mary Kay make-up rep,) Swag (paper Chinese yo-yos and Mary Kay catalogs,) Décor  (wrinkled buntings swaying overhead,) and Social Media postings. The party was filled with many imperfections-late guest, wrinkled bunting,  and strange excuses for Swag,- but I can promise you that no one had any less fun because of these things. In fact, I am not sure anyone even noticed.

My very loose “theme” for this gathering was Spring into Color, which was inspired both to combat the dreary, gray, weather outside, and to compliment all the spring colors we would be trying on during or mini-make-over sessions inside. Here are a few easy ways I was able to injected color into our afternoon gathering.

Fresh Flowers
During spring and summer months I tend to lean heavily on flowers found at the grocery store or farmers market to add an instant pop of color and happiness.

I prefer to scatter the flowers in small groupings throughout the house – in the kitchen, on the mantle, in the bathroom, on the coffee table.

Instead of fancy arrangements, I lean towards a few simple stems popped into glass jars or thrift store vases. (Our parties tend to involve lots of children running throughout the house so I don’t ever use anything too precious.)

Easy, tasty, finger food
I like to eat, and I like to eat good food, but I don’t like overly complicated recipes.

I also love to pick and nibble, so while I always put plates out, I tend to serve mostly food that can easily snatched up and carried around.

For Saturday’s party, keeping my colorful theme in mind, I served:

Cheese focaccia bread, sliced and warmed, with soften slated butter on the side.

Salami, Fresh Mozzarella and Cherry Tomatoes on skewers.

Brie cheese and homemade jellies wrapped in phyllo dough (next time I am using pie crust squares,) placed in cupcake liners and baked at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

I find that it is almost impossible to meet everyone’s beverage needs without going broke, so these days I keep it simple: I always have ice water and coffee on hand, and a pre-mixed cocktail that somehow fits the theme  of the party.

For our spring make-over gathering I served a drink that I have yet to name, but what we loosely called a “Pinkosa.”

This pink and fizzy drink was made up of 1 bottle of Champagne, 1/2 gallon of Pink Grapefruit juice and the juice of a lime.

Side note:  Friends, who have been to my house for gatherings more than once, know to bring their own sodas and beer selections if that is what they prefer.

Something Sweet
I think every party should have at least one sweet bite.  Even if it is a small one.  In fact, if you are throwing a party, and you invite me, and you are not planning on having a sweet treat, PLEASE let me know. I will bring one.

As you will find out in A Homemade Year, I am a big fan of not making things harder than they have to be. I am also a big fan of embellishing and enhancing pre-existing items. This includes box cake mixes. Here is how I embellished just such a mix on Saturday:

Lemon Blackberry Cupcakes

To make mix 1 box of white cake mix according to directions, reducing water by 1/2

Add 1 cup of black berries and the juice of half a large lemon

Bake as directed

For the Topping

Mix together 1 pack of instant lemon pudding mix, juice of 1/2 lemon, lemon zest of 1/2 a lemon and 1 pint of heavy whipping cream. Mix at high speed until mixture because thick and fluffy.

Ice cupcakes with this and garnish with a blackberry.

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Like almost all other domestic or artistic areas of our lives, we each have to find our own rhythm and style when it comes to entertaining. We cannot all be Amy Atlas or Martha Stewart or Emily Post. The way you throw a party should reflect your aesthetic, your personality, and even to some extent- your values.  For instance, over the years, I have learned that sit-down, formal parties do not work at our home or with our friends. I have also learned that party favors get left more than they get taken, and that Eat, Drink, and Be Merry is the only planned activities that are guaranteed to go well. Occasionally I can also throw a fun “activity” party, like this weekend’s make-over party, with success. But only occasionally.  Generally, we just throw open the doors, set out the food, mix a few drinks, invite everyone in and enjoy the memories that unfold before us.

 

From Stephanie: Jerusalem has generously offered to give away one of her new books, A Homemade Year,  here on Arkansas Women Bloggers. All you have to do is leave a comment, you are entered. For extra jolly goodness,  Tweet about the book giveaway including @arwomenbloggers and @jerusalemgreer.