Four Course Summer Dinner Party
Honestly, I’m drooling even as I write this post.
Last night I had a BLAST.
There was yummy food.
There was tear induced laughter.
There was even a choking incident on a giblet of corn–you know when you are enjoying your food a bit too much and you inhale deeply before completely chewing…and a large chunk of food seems to impale the back of your throat, and soon after embeds into your lung…
yeah, that happened to my dear friend last night.
It was good times.
I was invited to join a dinner party group–called Karrot Sticks.
Basically, it’s a group of 10 super rad and bodacious ladies that leave the kiddos home for one evening every month to enjoy some fine dining in the comfort of a hosts beautiful home.
We divide into groups of two, and every month one group is responsible for creating and hosting a 4-course meal–appetizer, soup or salad, entree and dessert. You even get to pick a theme.
Last nights theme was “Welcome Summer”.
And it turns out, I’m quite a fan of summer food.
~ The Menu ~
Appetizer: Pomegranate Spritzers, Prosciutto Cantaloupe Bites
Salad: Tomato & Watermelon Salad
Main: Mar-a-Lago Turkey burger with Mar-a-Lago Pear Chutney, Sweet Potato Fries with Sour Cream Dipping Sauce, Grilled Corn
Dessert: Blueberry-Plum crisp with Homemade Vanilla Bean Ice Cream.
You know you’re enjoying your night out when the sun is up when you arrive, and down when you leave.
And just as a reminder that all things beautiful, take lots of hard work.
Thank you, thank you to Amy and Nicki for hosting such a fabulous evening.
My partner Brittney and I are up in August, and we still need to come up with a theme and menu…
any ideas?
Barn Owl Primitives
how fun! i'm so doing this…minus the corn incident, i hope! thanks for the beautiful photos and inspiration!! xo
harga besi h beam per kg
Barn Owl PrimitivesGreat inspiration
Cherry Blossoms
Yum and this dinner party is beyond beautiful! I wish I had the backyard space to host a lovely party like this.
By any chance can you share the recipes? The tomato watermelon salad looks amazing.
Enjoy your weekend!
-Heidi
Lindsey @ Confessions Of A Marine Wife
Oh my gosh, Ashley! That is such a good idea, especially upon moving to a new place (which be both just did!)
That food all looks so yummy. :]
Anonymous
August is the month Hawaii became a state. Maybe a luau?
Trisha @ 3 Four and Under
Looks like so much fun! How do you know all those ladies from the Agoura 2nd Ward? I know all of them.
Kassi @ Truly Lovely
That sounds like a BLAST!!! 🙂 You could do Late Summer Heat and serve spicy food!
Delaney
Sounds fun! I'm a new follower!
http://sweetteaserendipity.blogspot.com
Kari
This is SO adorable!! Maybe when I'm all grown up and the hubs and I can move out of married student housing and into a house-I'll be able to do something like this! Until then-I can only dream and live through you!
Kari
jamie @ kreyv
Wow! So yummy and beautiful! I think you should do a beach theme, because you remind me of the beach! I think the decor would be really easy and beautiful…as for the food, not sure. I've never lived by the beach!
Autumn
I have no earthly idea, however, I do know that I really want a chunk out of that ice cream.
Audrey Crisp
How fun! That party looks amazing!
Jenni
Love the menu! Everything looks delicious!
I am part of a supper club too, the hubs and I meet with three other couples, once each season ~ we are in charge of the summer menu! i almost put that salad on the menu too, but went with a grilled watermelon salad instead…should be interesting! I got some nice decor ideas for mine from yours though, thank you!
As far as your menu for August, I could email you the summer menu that we put together if you want me too?! I have all of the links already on an email, as I have to print them all out and give to the other members of my club anyway, as we do ours a little different! You can read about it here:
http://roselandfamily.blogspot.com/2011/03/supper-club-spring.html
on it you will find our spring menu and links to fall and winter if you wanted even more ideas!
i love meeting with other married couples – kids have to stay with a babysitter – but i love the idea of a ladies supper club too! just might have to start this up!
Raige Creations
that sounds so awesome, and what beautiful decorations!
I love mexican food, so fajitas, guacamole, fried ice cream, etc. would be my suggestion. tho, I am not sure how to make fried ice cream…..
ilene @ muchloveilly
im in a party mood now – esp. after these photos! inspiring!!!
ilene @ muchloveilly
im in a party mood now – esp. after these photos! inspiring!!!
kadie dahl
In August we have the state fair. Maybe go with a fair themed party! How fun would that be?!
Come check my blog out at:
thedahlsonceuponatime.blogspot.com
brooke field
that is an amazing idea!
Karri
Just breathtaking!! What a gorgeous dinner party 🙂
Amy
The tablescape and lights are gorgeous! And the food? Yum! Everything looks sooo delicious! How fun!
amy day to day
MamaMonki
Looks like a beautiful night. I'm thinking I need to start something like this up here.
lori
how fun!!! it makes me want to join a dinner party group! maybe one day. lovee the set up!
The Zeediks
Great post Ash. I was laughing while reading and my mouth was watering all over again! It was truly sensational! The blog where we post all the recipes is karrotsticks.blogspot.com
LOVE that you asked for ideas. When Halle's down I'll be looking up some of those links!
Great writing as always 🙂
Erin @ MomsHaveStyle2
So after reading your post, while on our nightly post-dinner stroll, I rambled on and on to my husband about the party and how beautiful the setting and all the accoutrements were and how that's the kind of entertaining I envision, too. We love to throw parties with themes (wine and cheese, mediterranean night, low-country shrimp boils…I could go on. I really hope you'll pass on to your hostesses just how gorgeous this setting was and that it inspired me to go forth and celebrate!
Marie@PoutyPinkPrincess
I love this idea! It looks like so much fun!
Lindsay
Ok this looks AMAZING! Where do I sign up? 🙂
Abby
Love your blog! Everything looked so yummy! Can you tell me about the table runners? Did you make them? I love that flower fabric.
mom
I'm all for the dessert. I love the little dishes. Amy, and
Niki did a great job.
niki
Talia Rogers, MBA, PBC™ of Luxe. Event Design, LLC
This is so lovely! I know you all had great fun! Wonderful!
Anonymous
This posts makes me happy! It reminds me of a Barefoot Contessa episode, and makes me want to experiment in the kitchen =) I'm a pretty new follower and am being brave to comment…thanks for a great read. You are InsPirAtiOnaL!
Maureen
wildchild
what a good idea. gives you a reason to get fancy and go have some fun 🙂 it looks awesome
james @ agirlcalledjames
Wow everything looks amazing. I'm glad you were able to get out and have some adult time with friends.
Kimber
A luau with Hawaiian or Polynesian food would be awesome!
Darci
Oohhh, I miss California! This reminds me of my insanely-awesome baby shower. I love that you're doing this – maybe I'll steal the idea!
Amanda @ Ninth Street Notions
Looks delicious! I need to start me a dinner party club.
Ashlee
You should have a Caribbean Night filled w/ piña coladas, jerk chicken and island music. Ah, I want to do this myself! B)
Stephanie
Love the idea of "Late Summer Heat" someone mentioned! BUT I love the "Fair food" idea even more…it got my mind running! You would do a gourmet twist on it. I don't know why but lamb skewers wrapped in phyllo dough and baked to be your fancy corn dog. OH but I bet you could do some type of Mexican polenta type batter on something. YUM…plus frying is more tasty : )
My mind if also reeling around funnel cakes and cotton candy : ) HA…and I don't even go to fairs or eat fair food…but it sounds like such a fun idea!!
Have a blast and I hope what ever you decide on makes the party!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Beautiful-Honor/261048936802?sk=wall
Abby
This is such a good idea! I am drooling over that food!
Kelsey
Looks like an amazing time! I think I need to look into starting something like this!
For your next theme you could do Hot Summer Nights, Luau, or All Work and No Play since August is typically back to school and routines for some people.
Tera
This was such a beautiful post about our wonderful night. Welcome to the club! Thank you for taking gorgeous pictures, as we never remember too. Now my husband can see what we were doing. Love your blog and your cute shop – the jewelry is creative and adorable. Can't wait to get to know you better.
ps – I love that everyone is talking about fair food, just like we talked about! chocolate covered bacon and fried butter, right?
Comeca Jones
Beautiful! Looks like you guys stepped in a really cool Pinterest photo lol.
Susan
Just blogging around this morning and found your blog. Your dinner party sounds like so much fun. You've done a great job with your page.
I'd like to invite you to my blog give away. I am giving away a packet of coupons. I am new at entering giveaways no less giving one, but I'm giving it a try.
Thanks for letting me visit.
Susan
http://amazingcouponanddiscountdeals.blogspot.com
Karri
I was thinking of suggestions and I think my most memorable dinner party (we have a dinner club) and I think the most memorable one was when we did an Indian themed one. Not only was the food delicious, but the decorations are easy and so beautiful. Esp. if you host outside.
Alison
I saw your comment on my friend Nicki L.'s blog and I looked at your blog. I love Mom's who are so dedicated to being a Mom like you are!! I love how you actually play with your son all the time! I completely identify with your sentiments because I am a mom of one spirited son. I have to tell you about one book among others that changed how I parent…Raising Your Spirited Child by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka. You might like it. It helped me to understand my son's ideosynchracies and feel better about catering to them. My neglected website is parentspeace.com. I am now a follower of yours!! Thank you!!
Dawn
That is such a great idea. It looks like so much fun.
rebekah
what a crazy awesome party! i just threw a craft party myself – it was super fun. a vintage party is my next idea maybe u could do something like that
Nicki
You are absolutely adorable Ashley and thank you for taking such great pictures of our dinner party! I'll send you an email so I can get those pictures, I would love to blog about the night as well. I'm so glad that you accepted Brittney's invitation to be in the club… I'm looking forward to your dinner in August. You already have some great suggestions right here from your readers!
See you in July! xoxo
Allie
August is back to school month in most states. You could do upscale brown bag lunches???
CAW
oooo upscale brown bag lag i was thinking of a school theme to but that's goooood… or a lunch room theme using the old school trays we had… or I personally would love to be eating your Mexican food!! YUMMERS!!
Have a Salsa night playing music margaritas and mexican num.num.
LaynahRose
wow I love those! also, consider me your very newest follower, i just found your cute little blog 🙂
LaynahRose
ooops i commented on the wrong post 🙂 pretend that comment is on the one with the silver beauties. kthanks. bye.
Witty Whit
What a great idea! I love girls night and will have to remember this when I have kids 🙂
Lexie Loo & Dylan Too
That sounds wonderful! What a fun idea!
Lexie Loo & Dylan Too
That sounds wonderful! What a fun idea!
An Irish Italian Blessing
WOW! Fabulous party. How or where can I find the recipe for that Tomato Watermelon Salad! I'm searching the web but not finding anything good. Any chance you could post a recipe?
Rosebud
I love the Heartstrngs Necklace!
Linds@ THAT'S SO CUEGLY
Have a FOND of U fondu party!
hotpants™
Oh, how lovely!
flirtbox
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Kim
I love this whole party idea! And specifically the table runners. Do you know where they were purchased? I’d love something similar for my upcoming dinner party. Thanks
Stan Hamann
Sounds like a wonderful summer dinner menu. Thanks for sharing. I may have missed it on your site but can you share your recipes esp for the Watermelon and tomato salad and the Blueberry Crisp?
Thank you.
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