C'est Fini: Surveying the Damage

Everyone is safely back home, our house is empty and all that remains are leftovers, great memories and a few pictures (we're terrible picture takers). Last night Ryan and I did nothing. No dishes, no cleaning and no cooking--unless you consider microwaving leftovers cooking. We just relaxed on our new couches and watched Die Hard 4. It was glorious and much needed.

Let's re-cap the past week, shall we?

Thursday, May 2nd

I spent Thursday cleaning the house, cooking and waiting for our new furniture. Some of my friends from high school met at my house to welcome the newest member of our group, Baby Jackson, to the world. After everyone left and Mila when to bed, Ryan went to the airport to pick up our house guests for the weekend, Charity and Conti, while I re-mopped the whole house.

 Old living room set (circa college days) replaced by...

 ...the new living room set. Baby Jaxson clearly enjoying the improved room.

Here is the rest of the updated living room, including freshly painted statement walls and a lowered TV.

(Obviously we decided to lower the TV after we painted. I'll touch up that spot this week.)

Lunch in the making: BBQ Pulled Pork.

Some of our lunch guests. Friends since high school, friends for life.

Friday, May 3rd

On Friday we packed up the cooler and headed to Fort de Soto where I had rented a picnic area for us to grill out while enjoying the beach on the most perfect spring-in-Florida afternoon with our friends. Later that evening, Vanessa came over to hang out with Mila while Ryan, Charity, Conti and I went to Downtown St. Pete for First Friday.

The picture I sent Evan and Vanessa from the beach while they slaved away at work.

Sorry, Lovers ;)

 Schmitt the Comedian at Crowley's Downtown

Saturday, May 4th

In honor of the Kentucky Derby, we spent Saturday eating southern comfort food and drinking moonshine and Mint Juleps. The girls dressed up and wore big hats while the guys organized bets. We wrapped up the day by cheering for our favorite horses and playing cards.

 

French Toast Bake

Hot Browns, Mint Julep ingredient and a selection of flavored moonshines.

Chocolate Pecan Pie

We went with Green Bean Almondine rather than Brussels Sprouts since they were on sale.

Sunday, May 5th

Cinco de Mayo gave me an excuse to make more of my favorite food ever, Chunky Guac. I tripled the recipe for the seven people who joined us for our Mexican Fiesta, put it on the table with chips while I assembled our taco and burrito bar, turned around and realized it was almost all gone. Needless to say, this one is a huge hit! We sipped Beergaritas and played with the kids in our new baby pool--yes, Ryan was actually sitting in the baby pool with Mila and completely enjoying himself. The night wrapped up with sleeping babies, full bellies, a hilarious game of Apples to Apples and a new episode of Game of Thrones (we're addicts).

Before any of the Cinco de Mayo activities started on Sunday evening, we went over to John's Pass to soak up some sun and listen to live music, which is when I snapped the only picture of the day.

♥A 

The Big Finale: Menu Planning

Five weeks of house guests at the Hotel on 22nd is coming to an end, but not before the largest test of my hosting capabilities to date. I'm no stranger to hosting large groups at my house. Jillian and I spent a huge part of our senior year at FSU hosting people at 203 Juniper: parents weekend, graduation weekend, the Florida vs Florida State game, etc. etc. etc. But I always had Jillian by my side, coming up with ideas, helping to plan the menu and footing half of the grocery bill--not to mention, we hosted "weekends," I'm hosting over a dozen people over a four-day span.

Tuesday night our friend Eric stayed with us, he had a big presentation in Tampa this morning. We ate Chipotle, drank Becks and watched The Campaign. Wednesday night Evan and our are turning our weekly "Girl's Night" into a couple's game night complete with premade lasagne, thank baby Jesus for Mazzaro's Italian Market. Easy enough, right? Yes. Just wait.

Yesterday morning I got up early to deep clean the house and wait for our new living room furniture. By 1PM I was hosting a half a dozen people for lunch. After they left, I re-cleaned before Charity and Conti arrived to stay for a long weekend.

Thursday, May 2nd, Lunch Menu

BBQ Pulled Pork

Coleslaw
Pasta Salad
Watermelon

A couple weeks ago, we rented a picnic pavilion at Fort de Soto beach for today. We will spend the afternoon soaking up the sun and cooking out, as long as it doesn't rain. Tonight we will be going out to dinner (I'm only human, I can't cook all weekend).

Friday, May 3rd, Breakfast Menu

Bagel Breakfast Sandwiches

Yogurt

Fruit Salad

Mimosas & Bloody Marys

Friday, May 3rd, Lunch Menu

Hot Dogs & Hamburgers

Pasta Salad

Fruit Salad
Raw Veggies & Dip
(Yes, picnic food two days in a row. It's delicious and easy.)

Saturday is the Kentucky Derby. We will be serving Mint Juleps and eating finger foods, followed by a traditional chicken dinner with all the southern fixings.

Saturday, May 4th, Breakfast Menu

French Toast Bake

Bacon

Fruit Salad

Mimosas & Bloody Marys

Saturday, May 4th, Specialty Cocktails

 Classic Mint Julep

Basil-Lemon Moonshine

Saturday, May 4th, Finger Foods

Baby Hot Browns 

Ham Rolls by Vanessa

[surprise finger food] by Vanessa

Saturday, May 4th, Dinner Menu
Marinated Pork Tenderloin
Mashed Potatoes
Roasted Brussel Sprouts

Saturday, May 4th, Dessert Menu

Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie
Vanilla Ice Cream
Homemade Whipped Cream

Sunday is Cinco de Mayo. We will be trying out JLGarvin's Beergaritas and eating my Chunky Guac pared with a homemade Mexican feast.

Sunday, May 5th, Breakfast Menu

Ham and Broccoli Quiche

Fruit Salad

Mimosas & Bloody Marys

Sunday, May 5th, Specialty Cocktail

JLGarvin's Beergaritas

Sunday, May 5th, Dinner Menu

Chunky Guac

Uncle Stan's Green Chili (this one's a secret family recipe, sorry folks)
Taco/Burrito Bar

Sunday, May 5th, Dessert Menu

Strawberry Margarita Cupcakes
(I will post this recipe on the upcoming "Cupcakes" post)

I still need to score some awesome Julep Cups and Margarita Goblets before this weekend. Ryan said he would buy me these Oscar de la Renta Basketweave Silverplated Julep Cups if we could rush order them... Then he saw the price tag and changed his mind. Damn, almost had them!

♥A