One of the reasons we wanted so bad to move back closer to family was so we could all get together just about anytime. There was a lot going on last week for our family. My son’s birthday was on August 3rd and mine is August 12th, plus one of our grandsons is moving away so we needed to have a family get together to celebrate birthdays and to say good luck on the new adventure.
Since the only time everyone could get together in time to say goodbye to our grandson was Friday night – (everyone works) – it only made sense for me to have dinner at our house. I love doing that and it really makes things easy for everyone to just come on over after work. I needed to set both the breakfast and dining room tables since there would be 15 of us.
I wanted the tables to look pretty but still casual. I added two leaves to the table in the living room and set it for 7. I used a simple rustic table runner, plaid napkins, brown chargers and then added tons of pretty sparkle with some gold. (I love how the light coming in the window creates such a pretty glow on the glasses)
Bright sunshine and even more “glow”.
Big brass candlesticks give the centerpiece some height.
More pretty gold on the glasses.
Gold glittler balls and my leopard balls add a touch of whimsy.
I made a long low arrangement for the center of the table and put it in a pretty brass container.
Enough sparkle to indicate a special occasion, but still casual.
The table in the breakfast area was already set with my pretty yellow french details in the napkins. I just added two place settings for the grands and the table is ready for 8. This table fits two on each end perfectly.
I am doing a Taco Bar for dinner. This is such an easy way to feed a lot of people. Most of the food can be cooked way in advance and then put in the oven at 150°. Here is how I will set up my buffet on the peninsula of my kitchen counter. (I always do a dry run to make sure it will flow)
On the return of the peninsula I will set up our beverage area. Iced tea in the beverage container . Next to that are the wine glasses for those that choose wine.
Next to it are glasses and a small tray with sugar, sweetener and the bowl will hold lemon.
Next to that is the wine. The Cabernet is in a small wine coaster. It is best served at room temperature. The monogrammed glass container will hold a lot of ice cubes and a bottle of Chardonnay and a pretty bottle of Moscato. There is also some tortilla chips and there will be dip for those who want a tiny snack.
Next are the tortillas. First is a tray with warmed flour tortillas – —
Then the dish with the taco meat and behind it the corn tortillas.
These are heated and then covered with a towel to keep them warm.
This tray will hold tomatoes – cheese and lettuce. (I put sticky notes to remind me what to put where then I don’t forget anything.) The tomatoes are diced and the lettuce is shredded and in plastic bags in the fridge ready to empty into the container along with the shredded cheese.
Behind that is another tray that holds Green Onions – Olives and Sour Cream (These are prepared in advance and then put in the fridge in the tray)
Beside the trays are two bowls that will hold green and red salsa.
Around the peninsula are bowls with Refried Beans – These will be heated up at the last minute.
And a Bowl of Spanish Rice that will also be heated up at the last minute.
With everything layed out like this for a dry run, I know everything will flow, then I can clear it all off except for drinks and the dips so it is all pretty when my guests first get here.
A 3 layer homemade german chocolate cake for desert. (This is my sons favorite and I always try to make him one for his birthday) I will take the plastic wrap off right before my guests get here.
We had such a great time. The food must have been good because there were no leftovers. That is always a good sign when people come back for seconds.
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