DONE!!!

So here is the final blog entry.  The day has come--52 parties complete.  I thought I would have some sort of neat soundbite to sum up the experience but I really don't.  There was surprisingly little drama.  This is fine if you are trying to complete a large project; but it makes the recounting decidedly less exciting. 

So here are some things I do know:
-I had 52 parties in 52 weeks.  Well, actually 51 weeks but my mother doesn't like it when I gloat.
-There were 241 blog entries including today's. 
-There were 719 total guests. 
-Of the parties 9 were adults only, 6 were geared at kids, and the other 37 were open to guests of all ages.
-We made 37 cakes for the shindigs.
-My sister Emily attended the most parties (outside of my immediate family) at 26.  My other sister, Amanda, was right behind her at 25.
-Tony brings home the honor for most parties attended by a non-family member at 14.
-Birthday parties were the most celebrated event with 12, followed by Christmas at 5, and Halloween at 4 parties.
-I had 5 Crafternoon Delights.

I am very glad that I undertook this adventure.  If nothing else it will make an interesting anecdote for my eulogy someday.  "Katy really enjoyed parties and sharing fellowship with people.  Why once she had 52 "Shindigs" (complete with awkward air quotes) in one year!"  Insert polite parishioner prattle here.

Several people have asked, "So what is next?"  I don't know.  What are you doing next year?  I have always had parties and will continue to do so.  Just maybe not so many.  Thank you for your attention and your support.  Party on!

So Long, Farewell

Here is how the orange sweet shelves worked out for the party. 

Edward and Chris.  Ed is ready for his close up.  I had a nice time.  Thirty eight people trickled through as the night progressed.  I was so busy socializing that I did not do very well documenting the event.  At one point I sent Ron out with the camera but what I got back was a batch of blurriness.  Dang you champagne punch.

The cakes included:  an orange chocolate cheesecake, Italian wedding cake, and a blood orange pound.  We purchased assorted orange soda for those not old enough to partake in the orange champagne punch.

And just like that, it is done.  Tune in for a final blog later this week.  A summation of all things Shindig Spree.

Just Add Guests

The last party is tonight.  The house is ready to go and Ron is making Swedish and mango barbecue sauce for meatballs.  It is the lull time where big projects are done but it is too early for the last minute stuff like putting out food and drinks.

Orange flowers to welcome all to the farewell party.

Orange Sweets

I have been on the hunt for orange treats.  Did I miss anything?

DIY Pom Poms

My dining rooms ceiling is now officially covered with orange pom poms.  To make them take a standard pack of tissue paper in the color you want.  Most packs have 10 sheets and this is the amount you want to work with.  If not, stack 10 pieces of standard tissue paper and fold then cut into quarters.  Each package will give you four pom poms.  Take one of the four stacks of 10 and cut a decorative scallop along the long edges.  It helps to fold it in half so you only have to cut it once.

Accordion fold the tissue paper.  You will want to tie the center (where I am pinching in the picture) with craft wire.  Make a loop to hang it with the craft wire.

Fold five of the layers up, and five of the layers down.  Fluff until you have something that approximates a sphere, or a happy dahlia.

You saw this picture the other day.  Here are some of the pom poms.

Orange and Delicious

I am working on an orange snack station for next Saturday.  I am sure I will dink with it before the party but it is a start anyway.  I will likely do a popcorn snack mix for the bags.  I am wondering how many orange pre-wrapped candies and snacks there are to fill the rest of the containers.

Orange You Glad?

I am taking my time and savoring preparations for the last party:  Orange You Glad It's Done?  I am making orange tissue pompoms for the ceiling.

I made this orange bowl during a recent trip to Paint Yourself Silly a DIY ceramics decorating studio.

And I have been hanging pictures for a walking tour of the 51 parties that are complete.  I am trying to incorporate decorations as well as pictures wherever possible.

The last party is an open house March 19th from 6:00PM until midnight.