Outback Outback

I'll go back to the past later, but, before Henry wakes up and we get going for the day, I have to talk about what we're doing tonight.

My family has a faux-sarcastic love/hate relationship with the Outback Steakhouse. For a while there, it was our celebration station for birthdays and other events. Then there were some bad experiences... hair in the food, cold steaks, tray carrying disasters (two in a row) that led to "comped" meals. So, Mom and Kyle started boycotting the Outback. And we started pushing for it even more...

Well, this year we've created a compromise. OUTBACK outback.

Tonight, in honor of my belated birthday, we will replicate Outbacks most revered menu items, dress in ridiculous Aussie clothes, drink Fosters and Yellowtail, and probably say "Bonzer!" a few too many times. And eat, not in a restaurant with cheesy waiters and ridiculously low hanging chandeliers, but on our back porch.

Menu: Bloomin' Onion, Pumpernickel bread with butter, Outback Specials with side salads all around

Decor: Hmm... maybe I'll have some time to make some boomerangs and hang some random sheep farming equipment around?

Dress: Aussie Scavenger (Just whatever Khaki/denim/plaid we have)

Invite: Call/Text

Oh! Hen's awake. I'll be back later... well, probably tomorrow, with photos of this momentous occasion.

Under the Big Top

The first year of parenthood is a trying time. It's rewarding as heck, but it's definitely the most work you'll ever do in your life. And so, what better way to close out that first year, but to throw a giant extravaganza with all the people who helped you out along the way. The fun part- you're throwing a party for the most amazing little person in the world. So it's gotta be no holds barred, all out fun land. Plenty of activities for the kiddos, plenty of food and beverages for the grown-ups.

Event: H's first birthday... Le Cirque du Bebe

Decor: Vintage French Circus

I made flag runners out of an old Dr. Spock (circa 1954) book. Red and yellow butcher paper. Three EZ up tents in the backyard. Printed circus posters featuring the little dude at various ages. Top hat centerpieces with the number "1." Cardboard box circus train. Plastic tablecloth curtains. "Admit One" ticket garland. Tumbling mats, balls, wading pools, hula hoops, cozy coupe clown car, even a bouncy castle- brought by a friend! Hand-painted strongman and elephant backdrops... with a hole cut out for fun photos.

Menu: Upscale Circus Food with a French twist

Shrimp Corn Dogs with French's mustard, Pigs in a Croissant, Homemade Soft Pretzels, Chocolate Dipped Bananas with Crushed Hazelnuts, Popcorn served in red and white cones, apples with caramel dip (Ack, I think I forgot to put out the caramel dip!) Ooohs! for the little ones. Asian Veggie confetti with hoisin-peanut dip. (The French were fascinated with Asia and the Orient in the late 1800s.) Lemonade, Lonestar, Fat Tire Skinny Dip, Reisling, Sparkling Rose.

Invite: Circus Tent with opening flaps to reveal information. (Ladies and Gentlemen sign seal to be opened by guests) Ringmaster and Savoye fonts. Color printing. White envelopes.

We had so much fun playing under the big top with all of our friends and family. Henry decided utensils (and hands) were not necessary when approaching a big slice of birthday cake. I know he won't remember it... but we won't let him forget it!

The Ultimate Gathering

Weddings are the penultimate gatherings. Not only is it a celebration of love between a couple, it's a celebration of love between family and friends. Never again may you see all the people that you love in one place, at one time. With that thought in mind, I set about planning our wedding. I wanted it to be a day celebrating our future, but sprinkled with symbols of our past.



Some detail shots from our wedding...

Colors: Brown and Aqua.

Flowers: Lilies, Roses, Lotus Pods, Wax flowers.

Menu: Unfortunately I can't remember what we served... I don't think I ate anything but cake. Cake that took me by surprise with it's PINK inside! Location: Barr Mansion- an AMAZING place.

I created this infinity motif and used it prolifically. The image stemmed from a pair of crown of thorn rings that Mark and I bought for each other on our first Christmas together. We had no idea that the ring spoke about our commitment to God. We thought it was about our commitment to each other- and they looked cool. I thought it fitting that these first rings should pop back up at our wedding.

I'll post later about our invitations, because invites are another love of my life.

The matchbook favors were printed by imatchbooks.com. They generally design and print for businesses... bars, restaurants, nightclubs etc. But I liked the way they are made SO much better than any wedding matchbook company. Plus, it was 80 bucks for ONE THOUSAND matchbooks. We joke that we'll never run out of them... but that very thought could lead to their extinction. I see myself designing a new set for our 10th anniversary.

I made our programs into fans... to help dissipate the intense heat of the setting Texas sun while Mark and I said our vows. Hope they worked... but, if not, at least they were cute! My mom and I made the ring pillow together. I'm not much of a seamstress, but with the right guidance, I can put something together.

Our photographer, Vanessa Escobedo Barba, was brilliant. She captured every element of the day. Our florist, Alisa Marrow, is so very talented and created exactly the feel that I described to her. (Unfortunately, I think she has decided to do wedding photography full time, so she's no longer creating floral masterpieces.)

All of these details were a delight for me... each part of planning and creating our wedding was, to me, a statement of my love for Mark and our life together.

Crawfish Boil

Mark's Law School Graduation Party

We celebrated three years of hard work and endless hours in the library with a raucous bash.

Event: Crawfish and kegs at the Peters' house in Dallas. Laissez le bon temps rouler!

Decor: Backyard chic (Christmas lights and checkered tablecloths)

Menu: Crawfish boil with all the traditional trimmings, plus garlic bulbs and artichokes.

French Bread

Salad

Invite: Fun artwork and font on white cardstock. A printed and email version went out to guests.

Dinner Baskets

The best gift for someone who has everything and wants nothing: time together with some good food. First on the list, a Lobster Basket for Mark's dad. The make-up: Corona bucket, plastic lobster, gingham napkin, claw crackers, shells, raffia. The menu: Grilled Lobster with Citrus Butter, Mustard-Grilled Chicken, New Potatoes with Sundried Tomato Pesto, Corn on the Cob with Basil Butter, Homegrown Tomato Slices, Lemon Granita. 2001

Halloween 2001

I thought I'd share some pics and stories of our past get-togethers with friends, family, and other folks.

Halloween is my favorite holiday. And we get pretty serious about it around here. These pics were from our first big ole Halloween party, down at the Avenue D house. Crooked paintings and spiderwebs are a must. (Note: our lack of smiles is not for lack of a good time... We were in character. Does Margot Tennenbaum smile? I don't think so.)

Gather

For some reason, I feel like it's important to make some kind of statement of purpose on a blog. My last one didn't really hold my interest... and I feel that I'm more likely to comment on the day today trials and error of life on Facebook, rather than putting it all out there in a blog.

So, I'm trying a new concept.

One of my greatest joys in life (other than watching Henry grow bigger and funnier and smarter each day) is creating gatherings. Friends, family, just our little trio, it doesn't matter. I feel that sharing food and drink is more that just eating a meal, it's an important ritual. A ritual that can be as simple as picking items off the menu at an Indian food restaurant, or constructing a four course dining extravaganza, complete with coordinating decor and formal invitations. It might just be sitting on the back porch, splitting that last beer before bedtime.

In this space, I'd like to share plans, menus, recipes, and anecdotes from the gatherings that make me smile.