It's our turn to host our "Gourmet Group" tonight and I've been busy getting our home ready this week. The goal is to "Wow Them"...which is quite a challenge after 30 years of monthly dinners at each other's houses (could we possibly be that old?). Since my DH is the chef, I concentrate on the cleaning decorating and the table. But after hosting the same "gourmands" almost 100 times over these many years, coming up with fresh ideas is more and more of challenge each time.
So where do I go for inspiration? I visit other blogs, of course! And my blog friends always come through...in fact, you're all so talented and creative that, this time, decorating for the big event has been a joy. Here are a few of the projects you've inspired...
This is the gorgeous centerpiece that Debbie showed how to make on her blog here...
And the humble version I put together last night...
I think it will look beautiful when I light the candles for dinner tonight. And without Debbie's tutorial, I never would have thought to hide pinto beans under those acorns to hold the candles straight.
Thanks, Debbie!
2. Fall Subway Art Printable from Kristin at A Simply Klassic Home.
I loved this fall printable which I found while blog-hopping last night...maybe it's the "pumpkin spice latte" part that subliminally caught my attention!
And here's how I used it in my dining room hutch...
Thank you so much, Kristin, for the printable...and the inspiration.
3. Spiders in my stockings.
This idea came from Shirley at Sweet Romantic Notions. Thanks to her comment on my Halloween stocking post, I really do have spiders in my stockings now (guess it's a step up from ants in my pants!).
Shirley wrote, "These stockings are so wild..I love them..and I would fill them with all sorts of Halloween things from spiders to candy corn!" Well, Shirley, you were right...that big old spider I picked up at the dollar store after reading your comment is just the finishing touch this project needed.
4. Orange watering can from Debra at Common Ground.
Here's Debra's version...my inspiration photo...I just love the unexpected pop of orange amongst all the white on her porch...
And mine. As you can see, it is a work in progress...
And finally, just to let you know that there really is a 30-year-old "Gourmet Group"...here we are in 1982. I'm in the green sweater and my sister, Nancy, is in the lavender jacket. Sadly, we've lost two members of our group, but we haven't lost the tradition of monthly dinners together. Good friends...getting together through life's ups and downs for 30 years...what could be better than that? (Maybe I'll take some photos tonight and you'll see that we haven't aged a bit in 29 years!)
So this is a big thank you to all of you for continually inspiring me with your amazing ideas...you ladies ROCK! Now I'd better get down to the kitchen and see how dinner's coming along...
This post is happily linked to:
Saturday Night Special at Funky Junk Interiors
Show & tell Saturdays at Be Different, Act Normal
Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground
Sister Sunday Link Party at Sisters of the Wild West
Potpourri Party at 2805
21 comments:
What would we do these days without finding inspiration on blogs? I frankly would be lost. You did a great job. And I admire that your group has been getting together so long. The only person alive I can even think of that I've known that long are my two daughters!
Brenda
How wonderful that you have had the same dinner group for 30 years! Amazing! And I am so pleased that you liked my dough bowl! Your version is lovely! I have been eyeing those birch candles at PB. I am sure you had a wonderful evening! Happy weekend!...hugs...Debbie
That is AMAZING that your group has made the effort to stay together for 30 years! After reading your post, I am now motivated to get a group of women I worked with for 20+ years together again for a Christmas get-together. It was a corporate decision that broke us apart, although we do manage to have Carribou Coffee nights occasionally. Our Christmas parties were SO much fun and I really hope I can pull one together again this year!
Thanks for your post. I love the group picture!
I also love the inspiration I get from fellow bloggers...it is the best! I am so envious of your group...how great to have friends like that for 30 years. I think I have just moved around too much in my life. I am blessed to have a few close friends for sure! hugs, Linda
Love your copycat projects.
I think it's pretty amazing that you've all been meeting monthly at each others homes for 30 years. I guess no one has moved away? No divorces? We've moved so many times over the years although we've been in the same house here for 20 years. Our poor kids changed schools way too many times. I'm really envious of your 30 year friendships.
Yes, take a picture tonight. However, I think the lady in the bright pink sweater in the center doesn't like to have her picture taken. I'd keep an eye on her. :)
What's on the menu for tonight?
I bet it's really feeling like fall up there. Are the leaves starting to change? I really miss fall. We're still running A/C here. Groan.
I don't blame you for being a copycat! Those are great, fun projects. I know your group will be soooo impressed. Have fun!!!
Oh, dear...I see what you mean about the lady in the bright pink sweater, Betty...maybe she just had something on her nose? Actually, I doubt it...she always was a wild one! To answer some of the comments so far about changes in our "Gourmet" group...here are the stats:
~2 divorces (both long ago). My husband, Hank, has fit right in, and our friend, JoAnne, comes "stag"...she's in the light pink sweater in the original photo...she’s now my boss!
~Sadly, 2 deaths from cancer, both within the past two years. our dear friend, Bob, and my sister, Nancy. Bob's wife, Claudia, still comes by herself...after 30 years, it doesn't matter if you have a "date" or not.
~1 moves to California (the woman in the bright pink sweater, Karen, and her husband, Dave). But they fly back to Maine for summers at the beach and will even join us tonight as they are here for two weeks.
We just stick together, support each other in bad times, and laugh a lot in good. More on the group after tonight's festivities...
Hi Cheryl!! Thanks so much! I love the idea of a dinner group that has met for 30 years. what things you must have gone thru together! I agree, so much inspiration in blogland. Debbie from COAPA is my hero. She's so dang talented!!! thanks for the shout out! xoxo
Sorry, My typing is not up to par tonight.
This looks like so much fun and 30 of you. Do you do "fancy" or casual ?
Save me a seat !
You can't beat blogland for tons of inspiration! LOVE your orange watering can!
Love the while pumpkins! So pretty, thanks for sharing Laura Cottage and Broome
I am very impressed by your group of friends staying loyal to each other for so many years. That is really rare, I would think. I also get inspired by the talented women who blog. I got the idea for decorating my mantle from a blogger who had done a great job with hers. You did a nice job.
Shannon
What a lovely post. You are so lucky to have such traditions, I know your decorations were a hit.
Lisa
Cheryl, I just love all of your projects!!
I get so inspired by all of our fellow bloggers, don't you? I laughed because I read the same blogs that you spoke of and thought " I could do that"!! LOL!!
And now I see that you did "do that"!!
I am sure your dinner will be fantastic!!
Hugs,
Debbie
Good friends are few and far between, you are blessed!
Your copycat confessions were most excellent!
Looks like everything came together in time for everyone to enjoy this wonderful get together..I'm honored that my suggestion was well accepted..so much fun..Thanks Cheryl..
I also wanted to mention how much you and Nancy look alike..love this photo and I'm sure she is smiling at all your wonderful decorations..she will always be there in spirit..you can bet on it..sisters are like that! :)
How wonderful that you have just a nice job with a history to getting together! Your Fall decor is quite festive! I sure you must have had a wonderful time!
I'm delighted you linked to Potpourri Friday. You are appreciated and I hope to see you again this week!
I hope your party went well! It looks like you copied a lot of great ideas...I am a copyier at heart!!
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