Fiesta de Hudson

Mike was an incredible help as my plans for the yard were realized today!  It was one of those parties where, once it occurs, you feel as though it was worth all of the planning and effort.  Most importantly, Jess and Chris knew they were loved and going to be terribly missed.  I think that was the most important aspect of all.  And we had a blast doing it!

There was a sign on the front door that read "Keep Calm and Enter through the Gate to the Left".  I didn't think to get a picture of the front, but we used the banada/tissue paper theme there, too.

This thing has been sitting in our shed and then garage since Corrie's party.  Mike and I had looked at some terrific wrought iron pieces that could be used for allowing what will be beautiful flowers to climb.  It was hard to spend $150 on them though...so we waited.  I can't believe I hadn't thought of this til now but it hit me on Friday just how perfect this candle wall would be with flowering vines crawling up it.  I love using stuff we already have...

 Party time!

We made the best anti-mosquito candles out of our favorite distiller bottles, Dollar Tree glass beads, and citronella oils/wicks.  These babies work wonders.

Mike made these tables in NO time flat!  We bought beverage tubs on sale at Target, turned them over, and laid the table tops he put together for some ground eating.  I received the jars after some quick inquiries on Freecycle, and colored them with Modge Podge and food coloring.  I actually wouldn't recommend that as it's almost impossible to get them to be evenly coated, and if it rains...well...they don't stay dry and your hands will turn turquios faster than you ever thought possible!

The trash cans say "Keep Calm and Save the Earth" and "Keep Calm and Ditch the Waste".  There are myriad themes goin' on here...

So much incredible food!  Tried a new Pinterest Recipe: Texas Trash.  HUGE hit, I would highly recommend it.  Besides queso and Jurritos/juice drink combos, Chris and Jess made all the food.  Myriad tasty treats.  And my lovely neighbor Beth let us borrow her folding table!

Unfortunately it started to rain as it started to get dark, so I don't have photos of the hanging lights you we installed from the porch to a corner of the house (you can kind of see them below to the left).  That also means I never got to put candles in the colored jars (sigh - first world problems).  I bought some solar lights to string around the trees that come on automatically when it gets dark enough, too.  Those ended up being an awesome investment.  Both gave of a lovely, romantic light.  And we enjoyed it from under the dryness of the patio...

 To the Hudsons.  Can't wait to come see you in AZ!