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Monday, January 3, 2011

WILD NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY!

When you are a party animal like me, New Year’s Eve is THE time to REALLY break out and celebrate.  In her comment on my last post, Cherry Kay at Entertaining Women said that the only time she decorates for New Years is when she is having a New Year’s Eve party.  Little did she know (heck, little did I know) that we were hosting a New Year’s party!  We invited the wildest, loudest, most fun people we know to help us welcome 2011.  Actually, our son and his wife and our daughter and her husband did the inviting!  I think they thought it was only fair, since they were all invited to other parties!party mosOur New Year’s Eve guests made Happy New Year cookies (with a LOT of sprinkles on top), had a New Year’s parade in our home, and sang happy birthday to 2011 while throwing confetti in the air at 11:00 p.m. our time.  (I convinced them that when the ball on our t.v. dropped in New York, it was midnight, and 2011 had arrived.  That’s how I got them off to bed by midnight our time.)
Whew!  Having a New Year’s party is a huge chore for the hostess (especially if your guests are your grandchildren, and you will allow them to do ALMOST anything when they visit).  Did you see my floor in that mosaic above?  I’ll be vacuuming confetti and cookie sprinkles until next Christmas!
tired
Some of us were worn out from all of the partying and had to unwind with a good book.
New Year’s Day, 13 people shared our “good luck” meal of Jambalaya, black eyed peas, cabbage, and cornbread, and nobody bit a dime. (If you read my previous post, you know that I mix sterilized dimes into the black eyed peas).
FULL TBL
I have to divide my black eyed peas into several dishes, or there is a LONG wait in the buffet line, while everyone tries to fish out a dime for good luck in the new year.  The dimes sink to the bottom, and the spoon just kind of pushes the dimes around.  You can hear them, but catching one is not always easy!  This is one time when it PAYS to be at the back of a buffet line.
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My New Year’s Day theme was “make new friends, but keep the old – One is silver and the other gold”. That’s why the table setting was a combination of silver and gold.  (S-h-h-h, Don’t tell my guests -- I came up with the theme AFTER I mixed the silver and gold on the table.  I was just looking for anything with bling!) (You need to remember that I had hosted a wild party the night before.  I may have been too tired to think about what I was doing when I set this table!)
ornaments
Yes, I lit the candles for our afternoon meal. You can mix silver and gold and you can light candles in the daylight on a New Year’s Day table.  (That’s my rule -- I love making  up rules as I go along!)
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This candelabra causes a LOT of smoke if I light candles on all of the arms.  So, I used museum stick-on gunk (I’m sure there is a better name for that stuff) to put NY’s décor on some of the candle holders.
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confti mos

Since I’m such a party animal, I’m ready to host another wild party!  I’ll be hosting my second annual Valentine Party in Blogville on February 11th.  It will replace my weekly Favorite Things link up on the 12th of February.  After all, Valentine’s Day is everybody’s favorite event during that week.  You don’t have to have a human significant other in your life to enjoy Valentine’s Day.  Everyone can join in with something that pertains to the celebration of love.  You may post photos of valentine greetings, your wedding, other weddings, your Valentine’s p.j’s (as long as they are decent like Lynne’s pj’s last year), a tablescape, your pet(s), your grandchild(ren) or anything or anyone else you love; and/or you can write a story about your love, (be it a human or a pet, etc.), or a fictional story about love, or a story about a special Valentine’s Day.  (Just keep in mind that this blog is “G” rated!)
Last year, the Valentine party was soooo much fun!  The party link- ups were fabulous. I’d love for you to plan to link up for the party this year.  If you’ll take my party button with you and post it on your blog with a link back to BH&CWL, all of Blogville will know that they are invited to the party.
v'tine PARTY BUTTN AGAIN 275
I am linking this post to Table Top Tuesday at Marty’s (A Stroll Thru Life) and Tablescape Thursday at Susan’s (Between Naps on the Porch), and Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper.
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Thank you for coming to see my wild New Year’s party.  Don’t forget the Valentine party on February 11th.  (Even party animals worry about nobody showing up for our parties!)  laurie

38 comments:

Anonymous said...

And you had the best New Years, too, Laurie! Love it!

I'll make note of your Valentine's party and try to come with a little something to bring.

Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas said...

This sounds like such fun! Love the salt and pepper shakes and the menu sounded yummy!!

Looking forward to 2011!

Lou Cinda :)

mustard seeds said...

Looks like you all had fun, and your grandchildren are adorable. You are a good grandmother hosting such a fun party.
Sheila

Bridget said...

I had to go back and look at that first picture. I didn't realize that it was your floor! lol You throw the greatest parties and have the most amazing table settings. Your guests are very luck people. This is the first I have heard of dimes in the peas. I knew about the black eyed peas but I'll have to sterilize some dimes next time. Thanks for the new tradition!

BTW, I think you have a very good point about painting things outside of my comfort range. Even though I hated those paintings, they did push me ahead.

Thanks for dropping by and I hope to have another post a little sooner than the last one. lol

Hugs, B.

Robin said...

WOOOOO HOOOOO! You party animal, you! It looks like you all had a fantastic time! I've never heard about the dimes in the peas.....definitely something to bring into our traditions next year.

I hope you have a wonderful 2011!

{{HUGS}}

Robin :o)

Designs on 47th Street said...

What a fun party you held Laurie! And what darling grandchildren! Looking forward to a VAlentine's party!
Happy New year to you!
Donna

xinex said...

Wow! What a fun New Year's eve! I wish I was there cause I like to make mess too. Your table for new year's is stunning, Laurie. Beautiful details....Christine

Olive said...

You are truly a party animal Laurie. Love the gold table. I cannot beginto think of another holiday but for you I will try♥

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Tehehe Laurie!
Cause that's what I'm doing right now! I love this post and you really made me smile!
I babysat on New Year's too but did not have the energy for a New Year's Day party like you!
Your who I want to be when I grow up!
And I want shiny gold silverware too!
Can't wait for your fun Valentine's party!
And what's up with all the birds and fish dying in Arkansas?
That is just the freakiest thing!
Cute grandkids too!
Hugs,
Cindy

Debbie said...

Perfect!

Thank you so much. You may not realize it, but you just gave this fuddy duddy something wonderful to look forward to in coming years. I can hardly WAIT to have grandchildren and do something like this. Why, I might just offer to rent children who don't have local grannies on New Years Eve.

Wait. Would that make me creepy?

Love your silver and gold theme and table. How adorable are those salt and pepper shakers?!?

squawmama said...

Wow Laurie... That was a stunning new Years table! Sounds like you brought in the New Year right!!!
Happy New Year
{{{HUGS}}}
Donna

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh my Laurie, you have more energy than anybody in the whole world. How fun for your grands. I know they always have the best time with you. Your table was absolutely stunning. I love the mix of the silver and gold. So pretty. I will grab your Valentine's button. Great party and I will have to come up with something. Thanks for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty

Glenda/MidSouth said...

I know your Grands must think they have the best Grand Mother. :D
I did not make it til midnight. Everyone else was up and watching a movie when I called it a night.
Hope you are having a great week.

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year, Laurie! Oh, what a wonderful party you gave. Wish my grandmother had been so much fun like you! :) I'm sure your little grands have the best time with you.
be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Decor To Adore said...

Ok, you party animal~ What! I am not snickering!!!

Love the dimes in the peas. I eat those along with greens to insure a grand new year.

I've grabbed your button. So much fun.

SmilingSally said...

I've eaten black-eyed peas ever since I can remember, but this is the first I've heard of dimes. I like it!

Blessed New Year, Laurie.

Diann said...

Hi Laurie and Happy 2011 to you! I loved your wild party for New Years! Your table is just stunning...of course! I will grab your Valentine party button and add it to my sidebar!

Salmagundi said...

It's funny how those little guests get invited sometimes! All of a sudden, I have a houseful and think 'how did this happen?' Then I fill them full of sugar and send them home!! Sally

Unknown said...

Had not heard of the dime luck before, Laurie ... cute! Everything looks wonderful & sounds deelish.

~ Pop over for our CSN Giveaway ~
Have a beautiful New Year.
TTFN ~
Marydon

Donnie said...

Looks like you all had a ball. Great photos.

lvroftiques said...

What Marty said!! Sheesh you're no party animal...You're a party machine!! Ok I know I've given you a hard enough time about that non-stop engine of yours *winks* And AS ALWAYS everything is like disneyland!!The happiest place on earth! And I'm sure that's what your guests thought. And if they didn't? Give em the boot and invite ME!! heh heh Vanna

Sarah said...

Laurie, I don't know what you must take for energy, but I need some. You amaze me. Both parties look like a lot of fun and a lot of work. Love the silver/gold theme. I'm going to remember that one. ;-)
Hugs ~ Sarah
PS
Those grands are so cute!

Gloria said...

What a WILD New Year's Eve Party! Even wilder than Times Square! And, from the looks of it, even messier! LOL! Wow, you are a great grandma, letting the kids have so much fun! And your Jan. 1st meal looked lovely. Thanks for the invite to your Valentine's Blog Party too! Hopefully, I will be able to attend! (I will post your button on my blog.)
Best and Happy New Year!
Gloria

Kathleen said...

I love how you CELEBRATE everything, and your guests, are so cute!

Anonymous said...

Oh yeah, I'll be there for the rockingest Valentine's party ever. Happy New Year Laurie. Sounds like you are a party animal just like me...:) I'll post the button on my blog. Can't wait for the party. xoxo Lynn

Marlis said...

Your table is fun and festive and I'm sure your guests felt perfectly at home. I love to mix everything.. I had a friend once tell me that "if your put it together, it goes together!"...

Maryrose said...

Hi Laurie,
what a darling post...those kind of party animals are the best!!!
Maryrose

Debby@Just Breathe said...

What a wonderful New Year's you had, sounds like so much fun! Then you had your dinner party, I don't know how you do it. Love that bowl, it's adorable. You have the best stuff!

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

We celebrated Christmas here on the Ponderosa New Year Day with the whole clan and we just had a blast!!!

Yup, girl...you'll be findin' glitter and confetti a year from now and each time ya do, you'll remember how much fun you party animals had.

God bless ya and have a marvelous New Year sweetie!!!

we three dogs and me said...

What an amazing party. It must have been fun. Love all the glitter and sparkly. Love the candlabra.

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

Laurie -- you KNOW we all LOVE being invited to your wild and wonderful parties! They're the best! Wishing you everything wonderful and bright for 2011!

Scribbler said...

I am sure your grandchildren adore you! You really knocked yourself out with all this. Cute kids!

Entertaining Women said...

Lucky grandkids...great party...fantastic tablescape. Thank you for sharing your wonderful design. Cherry Kay

The Tablescaper said...

Wonderful party and a wonderful table (regardless of whether you had partied hardy the night before!). Lucky grandkids!

Thanks so much for being a part of Seasonal Sundays.

- The Tablescaper

The Tablescaper said...

Oh, and I added your Valentine's Party button to my side bar. Love that salt and pepper shaker. That "auld lang" is an amazing little treasure.

- The Tablescaper

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Laurie! I just loved seeing your party, and that is my kind of New Year's! Looks like you all had a blast. :-)

Your table in the silver and gold is just perfect. You did a super job on that, my friend. It is perfectly elegant.

Sending you warm hugs and wishing you a Happy Seasonal Sunday!

XO,

Sheila :-)

The Quintessential Magpie said...

P.S. I want to steal that auld lang syne cup! If it goes missing, you know where it is! :-)

Anonymous said...

With all the beautiful things you have to work with, New Year's is just another reason to have a party.