I was counting down the days for the new Pioneer Woman cookbook to come out.
Pre-ordered it from Amazon.
Made sure that I was home the day it was delivered.
Spent that afternoon pouring over it.
Dreaming of all the delicious choices inside.
Knowing that the best way to try as many dishes as possible would involve hosting a potluck.
Luckily, I have dear friends who were just as excited as I was.
A date was chosen.
It was written on the calendar.
Then, sadly, it was canceled.
Selfishly, I might add. It was smack in the middle of my no-sugar Lent and I really, really, really, wanted to make (and eat, hello) the Knock You Naked Brownies.
It was bumped back another long, torturous month.
A crazy, psycho, busy, month in which I had no business hosting another single thing.
But everyone has to eat right?
Plus, I wasn't making all the food, and it was just my friends.
NBD.
It was on.
I sent out a simple evite, while they are not my favorite, the feature that asks guest to bring something, makes it very easy and organized for each person to sign up for what they are bringing.
My table fits eight, so eight it was.
I thought that we would have eight dishes to try. The thing is, my friends are overachievers, and there were fourteen different dishes.
Swoon.
The table decor was simple. Burlap, a dyed runner, spray painted mason jars, PW's favorite Cafe Bustelo cans (from my iced coffee debacle) as flower vases, and little seed packets in plantable containers for favors.
The food was the star.
Ree was the guest of honor.
What a guest she was.
I honestly did not have a favorite dish. Choosing one would be an impossibility. Each and every single one is a recipe that I would make again and again.
Sooooo good. All winners. Zero fails.
I would get in a time machine right now just to be back in front of my island filled with so much yummy goodness.
Thankfully, my brilliant friend Amy had the foresight to stop at Target on the way and stock up on take home containers for all of us. Take home we did. OH DID WE. Leftovers for our entire families for days.
Get your friends together. Share a yummy meal. Laugh until you cry. It will be such a great night.
The abundant menu:
(Sighhhhh....)
Brie Stuffed Mushrooms
Hot Artichoke Dip
Fried Mozzarella Sticks
Soups and Salads
Corn & Cheese Chowder
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Chipotle Steak Salad
Sides
Buttermilk Biscuits
Twice Baked Potatoes
Cilantro-Jalapeno Slaw
Main Dishes
Dr. Pepper Pork Sandwiches
Chicken Spaghetti
Desserts
Apple Dumplings
Strawberry Shortcake
Knock You Naked Brownies
How fun! This is such a great idea!!
ReplyDeleteOMGosh ~ I think I am drooling on my computer! Love the deco. Forget Julia Child, I am eating my way thru PW's cookbook!
ReplyDeleteStill holding my breath to see if your hair survived or if it still a wax-coated surfboard!!!
So fun!!!! My new favorite dish is the dr pepper pork sandwiches with cole slaw thrown on too!!!
ReplyDeletenorcal is so doing this this summer. are you in or are you in? mel's house. be there.
ReplyDeleteI so want to do this. Question- What do your kids and husband do when you host? I feel like I have to wait for them to be in bed to have gatherings like these but that's too late for dinner.
ReplyDeleteI also applaud the friends who stopped at Target and picked up take home containers :) Smart gal! Of course, if she didn't all that food would be in your friges....so she must be a really good friend to make sure it wasn't all at your fingertips. I recently watched her show for the first time, I hope to watch it again (we rarely turn the TV so I have no idea when she is on) but a few of my friends here love her stuff.
ReplyDeleteGreat hospitality idea! God Bless.
I just had to wipe drool off my keyboard. I think I would have had to be rolled out of your home after this gathering :) That is - if I could fit through the door!
ReplyDeletegenius idea.
ReplyDeletesecret tunnel.
ReplyDeletefrom norcal to socal.
host this again.
and evite me.
please pretty please.
or time machine me to the leftover party.
Yay you! Thanks, girl. Can't wait. :)
ReplyDeleteWow, I don't know if my computer will work properly to type this comment because I just drooled all over it reading the yummy menu. I am definitely going to host a PW potluck, right after I throw a favorites party. Or maybe I'll combine them!! Booyah.
ReplyDeleteYes. I respectfully request the time machine option with cuppakim. We can travel together. We are easy going that way.
ReplyDeleteBetter Idea: the NorCal girls are flying you up just to have a PW party with us :) especially since you have so graciously hosted us more than enough
ReplyDeletelove this idea. Thanks for putting it in my brain. Most definitely need to do this.
ReplyDeleteSO FUN!!! I love the Cafe Bustelo cans, nice touch!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! I just discovered dear Ree, and I'm not sure I could live without her now. :) In this house the Tri Leche (3 milk cake) has been the BIGGEST winner. YUM and yum. But one thing is for sure... I need that treadmill she talks about needing to buy with her books.
ReplyDeleteY-to-the-UM!!
ReplyDeleteLoves it.
Love me some P-dub :)
Um, I totes would have flown down for that. Just sayin...
ReplyDeleteI love that your friend had the forsight for take out containers. I have tried the brownies. So rich, not very pretty, but delish!
ReplyDeleteThis might have to make my summer to-do list!
ReplyDeleteI love this...where do I fill out my "friend" application? ;)
ReplyDeleteif meg has craft weekend, maybe you can host PW weekend. Only it would just be for friday night dinner..then you can kick us all out.
ReplyDeletei am making her sauteed kale tonight...but i will be alone with no fun decorations and mason jars...
such a fun idea. i actually bought the cookbook for my hubby cuz he has a little crush on ree. we love her too. now i want to have a pw party. you are so much fun!!
ReplyDelete