Good Morning Darlings!
The summer is in full swing and our neighborhood (aka “The Cruise Ship”), has set sail. This means tons of parties, cookouts and drinking on various porches and backyards of all our friends.
It is almost as much fun as Christmas, but for a longer period of time and more heat.
Last weekend, we gathered together to celebrate Rick’s birthday.
Denise and Rick give the best parties. Their deck is ginormous, with a hot tub and this cool wine bottle chandelier. Just having a simple drink turns into a resort experience when at the Sands Castle.
And this night was a boodle of fun. A luau theme, complete with leis, flowered hairclips and grass skirts. George, the DJ was there and the entire affair was catered by my buddies at Black Tie Barbecue.
Oh, what a night. Eric and I wanted to make Rick a special birthday cake. We came up with the idea of a “Rick Roll” – a jelly roll cake covered in chocolate ganache. Have you ever made a jelly roll cake? Me, neither. When I went to invert the cake for rolling, the whole thing fell apart. But, I always try to have a Plan B. This time, I asked Eric to run to the store for Little Debbie Cake Swiss Rolls. Eric’s idea was to build a mountain of Swiss Rolls and I thought it would be great to cement it together with white frosting. Off we went. After the mountain was built, Eric printed a double sided picture of Rick Astley, which we attached to a wooden skewer and stuck into the mountain. Then we wrote “Rick Roll’d” in frosting on the cake. Hey, it worked.
Denise always makes the best party signs.
The Rick Roll'd Cake. Don't judge.
We asked Rick to make a wish before the whole thing fell apart. LOL
DJ George played “Never Gonna Give You Up” at the same time Rick made a wish. It was a nice touch.
Everybody was at this party.
ALF makes an appearance.
I couldn’t wait to eat!
Black Tie Barbecue here and ready to go!
The food was incredible. Ribs, jerk chicken, the most amazing cous cous, green beans, luscious salads, yummy cheese rolls – everything was perfect.
George, the DJ, spinned until 6 a.m.!
Note to self: don't invite these ducks to a party. They are face first in the jacuzzi before it even gets dark.
Rick, Eric and Me
Vanessa and Melanie
Merryl and Denise. My favorite photo of the night.
Everyone was into the spirits, um, spirit!
Jill, Michelle and Me
Flower Girls, Melanie and Me
Justin, Michelle and Dave. I know there is hilarity involved if Justin is there.
Say hello to Teague's little friend.
The crowd is being led in native dancing by Denise, who was dancing on the bar.
Our native dance is the YMCA by the Village People. Nuff said.
Party in full force.
Eric and I left at 2 a.m., but they were still going. In fact, Denise and Rick are rock stars – the party broke up around 6:30 a.m., but they made their traditional hangover breakfast for everyone who might have stayed until 2 p.m.
Kudos to you, Rick & Denise. We love you.
xoxo, Patti
Today blogging to Belinda Carlisle – Circle in the Sand