This past weekend we were so happy to host a dinner party for my bestie, John. Conjured up by his sweetie, Danny, we planned and plotted to have 10 of his favorite friends gathered to fete our darling birthday boy.

For this occasion I decided to leave the table bare (I tend to forget how pretty it is…) and set it with silver chargers, white plates, white napkins nestled into silver napkin rings and a small arrangement of white and red roses. It was elegant without being fussy.

Simple Is Sometimes Best

John knew he was joining Eric and me for dinner, but didn’t know there would be six others! So he was very surprised when he walked in. Everyone pitched in to make it a fantastic night. Patrick and Andrew picked out the red wines, Rose chose the bubbly and Danny ordered the yummy ice cream cake. Bruce and his Eric (two Erics in the house this night!) took a ton of photos. Holly baked the most delicious pastries filled with brie & caramelized onions and another filled with cheddar & bacon. She also brought dips, bagel chips and yummy baby carrots for dipping. Eric and I were responsible for the main course, which was:

Roasted Beef Tenderloin

Steamed Green Beans Dressed with Butter & Lemon

Au Gratin Potatoes

It was such fun. Eric started everyone with a simple cocktail of Canton liquor (ginger flavored), splash of gin (or vodka, depending on preference) and topped off with peach juice. A couple rounds of these were consumed while we chatted and waited for Danny and our guest of honor.

Eric, John, Rose & Bruce

When John and Danny arrived it was more cocktails and all of the goodies Holly prepared. Patrick set out the red wines (with a descriptive list!) and we opened them to allow them to breathe.

My Co-Conspirator, Danny!

A Bevy of Beautiful Red Wines

One of the highlights of the evening was Eric’s custom wine charms. As in the past, we used tags purchased from the office supply store (remember when we first used them here?) Eric created a special one for everybody. Mine was a heart (awwww, so sweet!), Bruce had a Captain America tag, Danny – a lover of video games – had a charm with a Playstation controller on it, a Rose for Rose – you get the idea. This really puts a fun spin on things. Even when a glass got broken (oops, that was me!), the charm stayed intact. Opa!

The Wine List - With Descriptions. I Loved This Idea!

My Gorgeous Besties, Holly & John

Plenty Of Time To Pose While The Roast Is Resting

A Handsome Trio - Patrick, Andrew & Rose

Finally, dinner was served and we all took our seats. The food was served family-style on platters. Only one problem – when serving 10 guests, the trays get too heavy to pass. So both Erics took a platter and served everyone. Thanks, gentlemen!

Bruce and Eric Are All Smiles Tonight!

Andrew and Patrick At The Table

Another Fab Eric For Me To Pose With - Yay!

BFFs Forever!

Holly and Bruce, Looking Marvelous

All this heavy fare usually makes one want to sit and rest. But not John and me! Nope, we were up for some dancing – to ABBA!

Dance Like There's No One Watching....Even If There Is

While back at the table, Patrick educated the others on the virtues of wine…..

This One With Beef, This One With...More Wine....

As our guests got up and started moving about the cabin, my Eric and Andrew visited out on the front porch, when Andrew told a story about making mint tea for his family. “We have mint”, my Eric countered, ‘I would love to have you make some for us, if you would like…”

Andrew, looking adorable in my yellow apron, did just that.

Too Cute!

And it was delicious with the birthday cake.

Full of Special Wishes For The Coming Year

Watching John Make His Wish

We ended the evening by playing Lets Dance on the Wii…even shy Bruce got in on the action.

Dancing Up A Storm

While our darlings watched, looking most amused.

Oscar Cozies Up To Patrick, Andrew & Rose

In the wee hours after midnight, everyone sauntered home, sated and happy.

Happy Birthday my darling friend! I love you!

xoxo, Patti

Today blogging to ABBA – Does Your Mother Know

It was the weekend of birthdays this past week. Fun! First, we had Valerie’s birthday wine tour, then it was time for dear friend Tami H. of Running With Tweezers to have her big day.

And what a big day it was! Set up by her sweet boyfriend, Mike, who took great pains to keep it secret. Mike even put together a Chopped Challenge as part of the party. You know what Chopped is, right? It’s a reality/challenge show on Food Network where chefs compete for the highest score from the judges.

Mike chose all the ingredients for the Chopped “Slider” Challenge. Three teams of two competed in the kitchen of friends Brian and Terri. It was a hoot.

But first, Tami had to arrive. A ruse was invented to get her to Terri and Brian’s house and we were all gathered when she arrived, including an dear friend of hers from NYC who had flown in especially for the party. Don’t you love those types of surprises?

The cake was made by Christina Arpante of Mele Cotte. It was the coolest cake I have ever seen.

Camera Cake. Yes, That's Cake.

You would think that making a camera cake would be enough for one person. Well, you don’t know Chris. She had to bake cupcakes, too. Gorgeous  cupcakes. Filled with yummy things cupcakes. OMG. Cupcakes.

Cupcakes!

Brian and Terri did a great job of keeping us all happy before Tami arrived. They fed us and we hung out and talked about, what else? Food.

Nosh, Nosh, Nosh...Gab, Gab, Gab

And finally, the main event – Tami Arrives! Yay! She was so surprised. Um, really surprised. She thought she was going swimming. But she looked super cute all the same!

Surprise!

Oh, she was so thrilled to see everyone there. Especially her best buddy Mike.

Surprise Guest Mike

But before the challenge, Tami must check out that incredible cake!

Tami & Chris

And then the Chopped Challenge began. Just like on television, but with cocktails. It’s a party, after all.

Team 1 – Tami & Mike
Team 2 – Chris & Erin
Team 3 – Martin & Brian

Emcee – Mike Boutte (Tami’s beau)

And we’re off!

Mike Explains The Rules

The teams pick their ingredients.

Decisions

Erin and Chris Plan Their Strategy

One Group Of Ingredients - Banana Chips?

Martin's Secret Weapons - Schlitz Beer & Wasabi Peas

While The Kitchen Heated Up, Terri & I Giggled In The Dining Room

And boy, was the kitchen busy! We were told not to get in the kitchen during the challenge, but, hey, there was cooking going on and pictures to take. Sorry!

Tami Has It All Under Control

Or Was It Mike That Had It All Under Control?

Anyhoo, it was fun, fun, fun.

Mike Lights The Grills - Don't You Love The Tee?

Mason & Margaret Arrive

Now, it’s time for the judging. I thought everyone was going to be super sweet – we’re all friends here..but no. It was brutal. Funny, but brutal.

Terri & Zack Judge The Turkey Burger by Mike and Tami

Looks like a thumbs up from Judge Zack.

Next up – Chris & Erin’s burger with a cabbage slaw on top. Looked yummy.

And Erin Juggles, Too!

The judges really liked this one. They deemed it tasted like a “swedish meatball.” Then it was Martin & Brian’s turn for judging.

Martin & Brian's Buffalo Burgers

Judges said it was perfectly cooked, but flavorless and the green beans on the side were dry. Brutally honest. Foodies. LOL

Winner? Erin and Chris’s swedish meatball burger. A round for everyone!

Happy Birthday, Tami – this was the coolest idea for a party and we had a ball!

xoxo, Patti

Today blogging to Debbie Reynolds – Tammy

Wow, do I have a ton of fun pictures for you all today.  Our sweet Valerie is having quite the year so far – she graduated college on the same day she & Jay got engaged and this past weekend we visited the wineries of North Georgia to celebrate her birthday. Nothing but fun around here!

First stop, Sublime Donuts – nothing gives you energy like a couple of sugar laden donuts, right?  Ohhh, they are so yummy.

Donut Art!

We all met at Sublime Donuts – many thanks to Denise & Rick for picking me up while Eric had some errands to run.

Our first winery was Montaluce – a spectacular Tuscan style villa with a full dining room and loads of wines.  The vistas were breathtaking.

Second stop, and my favorite, was Three Sisters Winery, owned and operated by my good friends Doug and Sharon Paul, who so generously and graciously set up a private tasting for us. Doug regaled us with the history of wine and terrior, French for land.  He also charmed our French friend Benoit, when he told him in his native tongue, “I cannot speak French, but I am tall, strong and crazy!” The wines were the finest we tasted all day. I went home with a case. In the future, I plan on organizing an exclusive tour to Three Sisters, so please let me know if you have an interest in joining us.

Our friends all packed the loveliest dishes and we picnicked at Three Sisters as we learned about the wines. Doug treated us to their splendid port, which we all loved.  Even an impromptu rain shower did not dampen our spirits.

We could have stayed at Three Sisters all day, but we had a plan to visit four in one day and the next winery was Blackstock. More gorgeous scenery. And a foot race for Taruan and Valerie!

And a Brady Bunch photo op.

And some more fun photos.

Our last stop of the day was Frogtown Cellars. We all liked the lively atmosphere, although it might have seemed like a cocktail party because it was the end of the day. No matter! Always time for a party! And more photos!

And the last shot of the day – our beautiful party princess enjoying her birthday.

Happy Birthday, Valerie. We love you!

Thanks to Jay who thought up this great idea and a million more thanks to Doug and Sharon Paul at Three Sisters for the private tasting – it was the highlight of our day. And of course, thanks to Rick & Denise, who allowed me to ride up with them.

And if you didn’t get enough photos, check out the little slideshow I did on You Tube of our day.

xoxo, Patti

Today blogging to UB40 – Red, Red Wine

Oh, this weekend was a hoot. Starting with everybody’s favorite bestie, Clint, and his funtime dance birthday party (and yes, you CAN call it a party! yay!)  To know Clint is to love him and anyone who has ever met him would agree. So when his partner Matt decided to throw him a dance party at his loft, our only response was – “which dancing shoes to wear?”  I mean, it was jam packed full of fabulous people wishing Clint the best birthday ever, with some of the best music ever and some of the yummiest cake ever.

You have got to see the photos!

Say Hello To My Favorite Birthday Boy, Clint

Now, Matt’s loft is filled with some of the coolest treasures ever – like a player piano that really works (!), and some of the coolest self produced art you have ever seen (is there nothing these two cannot do?)  So just hanging at the loft is always a treat. But to be there with everyone that loves Clint was the greatest night ever.

Before the party, there was a mini pre-party at our house with Holly, Crystal, Teague, Eric and me. Then we headed over to the mega-party. Such fun!

Calvin, Patti and Sweet Steve

Adorable Carrie and Dear Carla, Who Kept Us Secure All Night Long

Carrie And Our Host With The Most, Matt

Clint and Carrie Share A Hug

Clint With Pretty Friend, Sherri

My Perfect Husband, Eric, Enjoying The Festivities

Everyone Was There To Toast Clint!

Happy Birthday Clint!!

The Bar is Now OPEN!

Beautiful Bestie Holly

Might Be The Cutest Shot of The Night - Holly, Clint & Carrie

Holly & Crystal With Our New Bff, Scottie

Scottie and I met and admired each other’s earrings – so we traded! Scottie is Matt’s sister in law and hopefully will not be a stranger to us – she is adorable!!

Those Handsome Belfi Boys - Keith and Matt

Me, With New Bestie, Keith

Keith is so fab – he designs sets and props for the likes of Alton Brown and Tyler Perry. And not only that – he is so kind and funny!

Keith & Scottie Belfi (wearing the earrings we traded!) So Cute!

All This Photography Can Be Tiring, So Says Our Party Guests....

Me, With One Of My Favorite Folks, Ever - Our Birthday Guy, Clint

Matt and Keith

Scottie and Me, Post Earring Swap

Note to Scottie:  I am still loving the earrings!! Let me know when we can go shopping!

Matt and Me

Everybody Had A Ball!

But all good things must come to an end. But not before there’s CAKE! Happy Birthday Monkey Boy!

A Sure Sign That Cake Is A'Coming

Ready For Clint To Make A Wish

I Hope Every Wish Comes True, Sweetie!

2 a.m. Came Awfully Fast. Nite, nite!

It was a fantastic party, filled with the coolest people (as always). Thanks, Matt for being the best host ever and thanks, Clint, for being the best friend ever. I love you both!

xoxo, Patti

Thanks for not minding that I took a vacation for a few days. My birthday was this past Saturday and so the celebration started on Wednesday, of course!

My sweet Clint and Matt invited Eric and me for dinner last Wednesday night to kick off my birthday and what a dinner it was!  Starting with a huge platter of the biggest steamed shrimp you have ever laid eyes on followed by tender pan-sauteed tilapia with a luscious meuniere sauce, roasted green beans accompanied by cherry tomatoes, along side scrumptious yellow rice topped off with rich and gooey chocolate candy puff pastry purses for dessert.

But even better than the food was the company. Beginning the evening with a champagne toast and ending with lots of hugs, it was the perfect start to what would be the most perfect birthday ever.

But I bet you want to see all the yummy goodness, yes?

Huge Shrimp Cocktail

Matt, Popping The Bubbly

There's Always Time For A Hug From Clint

Uncle Matt's Famous Meuniere Sauce

Gourmet Goodness

I enjoyed this dinner so very much. Everything about it was perfect.

Thank you, Clint and Matt, I love you guys!

xoxo, Patti

On Saturday night, Eric and I were lucky to be invited to join our sweet Danny for his birthday dinner at The Highland Tap .  It’s a fun restaurant in a basement location of Virginia Highland here in Atlanta. It’s super cozy and a great place to meet our old friends as well as make new ones!

Underground Fun!

We were joined by Danny’s besties Patrick, Andrew, Rose, Bruce, and another Eric(!) and of course, Danny’s sweetie and my bestie since 7th grade, John.  A great time was had by all and we visited, ate and drank our way through the evening. Being the only woman with 7 men was particularly lovely. Thanks for a wonderful evening, gentlemen!

Photos, please!

Andrew, Patrick, Danny, Rose, me, John

Dinner With Handsome Men Is Always A Good Thing

Our Darling Danny and My Bestie, John

Patrick, The Delightful

Bruce and Eric

My Love, Eric

Sweet, Sweet Rose

My Fried Chicken Salad...Yummy!

One Very Happy Birthday Boy, Surrounded By Love

The food was great, the company even better.  Our server, Debra, was fabulous – she kept the party moving. Thanks, Deb!

Happy Birthday, Darling!

xoxo, Patti