3/31/08

No Foolin' Dinner - Part I

Instead of cooking fancy, time-consuming recipes for an early April Fool’s Day dinner, I decided to create a memory instead, by setting an unusual mood. A unique mood. A mood that would fool us all. Instead of serving dinner inside, where it was warm and cozy, last night we ate OUTSIDE!

I invited our close friends over and when I asked their family to dress warmly – they did! They arrived with coats, hats, boots and all! I wanted to try something different – and different it was, as we ate outside on the patio, trying out our newly purchased (yard-sale) patio heater!

After searching the internet and other blogs for creative April Fool’s dinner ideas, I decided I did not have the time to cook the recipes that I found. What I found was how to turn your dessert into a main dish, or your salad into dessert. I certainly did not have the energy to make a large cake out of meatloaf, frosted with mashed potatoes, mustard and ketchup. Or a dessert that looks and tastes like taco salad! They looked over-the-top, too complicated for me. (Plus, I am very visual, and I rarely find helpful pictures to go along with these crazy ideas).

What I wanted to create was a memory for our families. Something that our families would look back and remember on this cold day, eating outside with a heater, sharing stories and a lot of energetic laughter. But what made the ambience really unique last night is that it started to snow! Big huge flakes were coming down. Although the snow didn’t stick, the temps dropped rapidly.

Mission accomplished! It was such a winner of a dinner, that if you come back for my next post, I will share the EASY recipes that I served, and then what came down during dessert time. Because at dessert time we moved the party inside, snuggled up on the couch together, and created more memories.

As I’ve said throughout many past blog posts, our guests are not going to remember the meals that were served but the mood that was created. Keeping things simple, fun, and creative is what works for me!

And I ain’t fooling ya, either! (It truly did snow!!)

Does your family have friends that you create unique memories with?

(Photos: What started off to be a beautiful, sunny afternoon turned into a very cold evening. Our new commercial patio heater, $125 yard sale special on Friday (regular price, from internet $569), worked fabulously! With warm clothing and our new heater, we didn’t care what the temperature was!)

23 comments:

~j~ said...

What a fun evening you had indeed! I love the joy of doing something slightly off the norm particularly when hosting a dinner party. Some of our most memorable times have been when we mixed it up just a little. Great score on the patio heater, those are the best.
Have a great week Sandy.
j

OKGardners said...

Sounds like fun! The snow was just an added bonus. Keep making memories!

Betty in Oklahoma

Rhonda said...

That's great!! I love it!!

We picked up a patio heater at right after Christmas. There were too in the store. One was half the price of the other. The only difference was that the second one had been used outside for the men selling Christmas trees. It had the same warranty and..we knew it worked because it had already been 'tried out'.

Yes, we have some friends that we usually think of first when we want to do something special.

Lord, keep blessing Sandy with creativity!!!

Jen said...

It sounds like a great time. We have a Fire pit....we love it on the deck. Cant wait to see what you made.

Meredith said...

Very clever!

linda t said...

What a fun, creative idea Sandy!
Looking forward to hearing what you served. But you're right, it's about the atmosphere you create, the mood, the company you keep, that makes the whole night special.

Donnetta said...

What a fun and unique idea!! And what a special thing to have the snow join you to help create an even more unique and lasting memory!!

Eager to see what was on the menu...

Anonymous said...

How unique and fun! That will definitely be a night to remember for everyone. The snow falling just has to be the crowning touch. I can't wait to check out your menu.
~Jen

Laura said...

What a deal you got on that heater, wow! Can't wait to read what you served :)

Laura

Anonymous said...

That is great!! Wow, you got a deal on that heater--very cool!
:)Kat

Mrs. Darling said...

This is so exciting. I cant wait to see what you served! What an original wonderful idea and what a gorgeous deck and patio set!

orneryswife said...

what a fun idea! Ryan said it snowed in North Dakota yesterday, too. It was nice here, but a little cool.
TM

Rosie's Whimsy said...

You are so fun! I've been waiting and waiting to open the porch. Now, I'm thinking....why wait? :-) Rosie

Julie said...

What a wonderful idea.

You asked the question "do you have friends that you create unique memories with"? I am sad to say, "not really"....but how we long for it.

We moved to this location a year ago and just don't know what God is doing with us here in the relationship area....but we are starting to look at how He wants to use us to start something....

Thanks for the inspiration and visiting my blog today.

Have a blessed day,
Julie

Julie said...

Sandy,
I'm back again. I reread your response on my blog and wanted to add something. I TOTALLY agree that the marriage is a good place to start. I am so thankful and blessed that my husband and I share the journey towards Papa's heart together. It would be SO lonely without him. I know it is not common for many to share so deeply with their spouse, unfortunately, so I do not want to ever take it for granted what we have in our marriage.

Now one more thing. How do you come up with the fun ideas that you have for entertaining? I know that Papa has gifted both my husband and I with hospitality...and maybe He wants us to start things out here in our new town....but ideas...well they don't come as naturally to me. I need divine inspiration.

I love the porch idea...that was awesome. I just get so stuck with who to invite and where to start since we don't really have what I would consider close friends.

Any ideas???

Thanks,
Julie

Anonymous said...

Hi Sandy!
Cute Idea!!! I love that!

I think those are things I want to remember when my littles get bigger and no one would truly freeze to death :)

You are really creative and I admire your enthusiasm!

Susie

Anonymous said...

Hi Sandy, I loved what you did and especially the fact that it snowed. I have one very memorable dinner. It was New Year's Eve and on a whim we invited our neighbors over for a picnic in the middle of the pasture. The meal consisted of all the holiday food and desserts that were left overs and champagne. It was freezing cold but sunny and we had the best time laughing and just telling stories.

GiBee said...

Very fun idea! I love how God participated with you by sending some snow in the Spring!!!

the said...

Wow, what a great idea! I might have to try that sometime :)
Stephanie

Chris @ Come to the Table said...

Sandy,
I loved this! I love your heart and what you share. It is so encouraging to hear and experience. I only wish I could be a guest at your table.

Blessings,
Chris

Michelle@Life with Three said...

Thanks for sharing this, Sandy. I really appreciate the comment about the ambiance being more important than the meal. I agree that those April Fool's meals are very complicated, so I never end up doing them either. Next year I'm going to make a point to make a memory by "setting the mood."

a woman who is said...

okay random comment here...

I think this every time I see one of your table settings,” What beautiful glassware."

How many sets of glassware do you own?

I just checked this page and found 3 different sets at least. I love all you beautiful stemware. It always captures my attention on your tables.

Love that it snow during your April Fools dinner party! That will be a wonderful memory.

I made a memory on the 31st my guest won't forget; a melted ice-cream cake that I literally had to slop on their plates. But everyone said it tasted so good. LOL

Picture on blog :]

Unknown said...

Hi Sandy, your one of my favorite reads and truly a inspiration to me. I want to be your neighbor. :) What a blessing you are to your friends and family. Thanks for sharing your love of entertaining and for showing us that hospitality is not all that hard to share.

Blessing,
Cindy