{HOLIDAY} Halloween Deadly Dinner Party Part 1

Last week Cami, Shauna, and I put on a Halloween party for our friends. A dinner party to be exact. We invited 28 people, an even amount of guys and girls. Our friend Becki had the perfect house and backyard for such a party. We set up 3 long tables in the backyard and it fit perfectly. Maybe a slight squeeze for 28 people but it worked. We topped the table with muslin, 10 yards of burlap, and torn cheese cloth. Then covered the table with candles and knick knacks (thanks to Shauna and her collection!). I had my brother in law Dave come take some pictures of the set up. My friend Mike even took a few detail shots for me.

Set up:

Ghost Cami:



The table is set:

Shauna and I stained wood and traced names on the cut pieces for place holders.

Root beer for everyone!







The guests have arrived and dinner has begun!







Lumber Jacks, Grandmas, Nerds, Dead Brides all welcome.



It got a tad chilly so we went inside for games.



Latecomers eat alone apparently...

More to come. The dinner, the guests, the favors ...

{HOLIDAY} Witching Hour

My sister Jen and I went to a witch party this week. I think the last time I dressed up as a witch was in elementary school, so it was a good excuse to dust of the ol witch hat (ie purchase one at the dollar store).

It was such a fun party! Go here for details.

And look who snuck into the back of our picture...

{HOLIDAY} Guest Post by Aleisha: The Witching Hour

My friend Aleisha is a talented party thrower. I posted a Halloween party she did here. I love her attention to detail and her menu is always perfection. This last week I went to her annual 'Witching Hour' party and I asked her to write a post and share some pictures. It was such a great party! I loved everything from the lanterns hanging in the tree to the smores on a stick to the party favor of fake eyelashes.. perfect for a witch don't you think?!

Thanks for sharing Aleisha!

Autumn is my favorite season and October is my favorite month. The weather starts to cool, the crows keep watch from their perch on branches bare and white as bone, and the fog creeps in from the ocean. Why not celebrate this season with a spellbinding ghouls' night complete with striped stockings and black hats?

For the past few years I have thrown an annual Halloween party known as "The Witching Hour." Guests come clad in their most bewitching garb and enjoy a spellbinding night of food, firelight, and, if you're really lucky, a ghost story or two. All it takes is a little magic and you're sure to have a party that your friends look forward to each year.

The Invite
Leave your warlocks at home, don your most bewitching attire and come revel in an enchanting ghouls' night filled with a sinister supper and wicked company. Brooms and black cats will be checked at the door.

The Venue

The mild October evenings in California allow me to have the party outside, under the stars. Dinner is served inside and dessert is served on the patio.
Black oil lanterns are suspended from the large tree out back, lending just the right amount of light to our chairs encircling the fire.

A Sinister Supper
Homemade Macaroni and Cheese
Autumn Greens
Fresh Baked Rolls

Devilish Dainties
Spiced Raisin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
S'mores on a Stick
Individual Apple Crisp with Freshly Whipped Cream
Chocolate Chunk Molasses Cookies
Hot Spiced Cider

Warm apple crisp is served in half-pint jam jars with whipped cream and wooden spoons.

S'mores on a Stick
Marshmallows dipped in dark chocolate and crushed graham crackers.

The Favor
"Eye of Newt"
Guaranteed to increase the potency of your spells by causing your gaze to become more bewitching. Use with caution as it will affect both princes and toads.

False eyelashes packaged in flat, labeled white bags and stitched shut with black thread.

As the night draws to an end be sure to gather up your black cat and broom for your flight home under the harvest moon.

{HOLIDAY} Halloween Mystery Dinner 2011 Part 1

My sister Annie put on her Halloween Mystery Dinner last night. I just posted pictures from her Mystery Dinner last year here. Every year brings fun new surprises and a new spooky menu! If these dinners don't get you in the mood for Halloween I'm not sure how else to help you.

The Setting:

A menu on each plate:

The drink: Zombie Blood.
Do you spy the surprise balls? I've heard they were a major hit!

Mummy Heads:

Candy Corn:

Crunchy Bones:

Pumpkin Brains:

Forked Eyeballs:

Thanks for pictures Jane!

{HOLIDAY} Halloween Mystery Dinner 2010 Part 2

Here are pictures from my sister Annie's Halloween Mystery Dinner last here. I love the cobwebs on each chair!

The Menu:

Do you spot the eyeballs in the drink!



Bones, Blood, and Cobweb:

Melted Witch:



Creepy Eyeballs:

Bat Heads: