Dinner Party?!

I love a good dinner party... and wish my apartment was a little bigger to host a get together (or rather, my kitchen.) but I've always enjoyed throwing and attending them when I go home. At my mom's house, she keeps things simple and delicious -- perfect for entertaining. At my dad's, I am always more ambitious than I should be.. and sometimes get a (little, ha.) stressed out.. but it all turns up amazing.

Here's some ideas I've stumbled upon that I can't wait to use (one day).

Blinded Beer Tasting {Apple Cyder}

I am by no means a connoisseur.. but this will really put everyone's skills to the test. I wonder if I can even taste the difference between Bud Light and Miller Light? I know.. shameful. I'll branch out one of these days. But I do love the Triangle Brewing Company and Big Boss -- love supporting local businesses.

Pizza-on-a-Stick {Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day}

How great do these appetizers look? Definitely want to try these soon..

Lavender Lemonade {Design*Sponge}

Not only is this drink beautiful -- it looks delicious. Recipe is listed in the link.. the lavender is a great new twist.

Love love these ideas.

S$'s Surprise Birthday Party Menu OR good-thing-the-guests-were-drinking menu.

To my defense, this was my first LARGE dinner party in my small little kitchen. I had about 20 or so guests, and was a little too ambitious with my menu:
-cheese platter, with nuts, spicy chutney, crackers, grapes.. the works
-garlic pasta salad
-green beans
-corn/black bean salsa
-steak
-salmon (provided by the guest of honor's wonderful mother Cynthia)
-zucchini/squash casserole (also by Cynthia)
-bread -- which right now I realized I left in the oven (with the oven off.. but warm from the steak to warm it..) 4 days later. great.
-caesar salad..

Overwhelming is a slight understatement -- but it ended up being worth it! She was completely surprised and a ton of her favorite people were there to celebrate with her! Even our best friend Rach, all the way from Asheville. How lucky were we?!

The picture is of the steak that I WISHED I would have made.. however, what did come out was an overcooked tough piece of meat. Things that I need to do next time:
-put the batteries BEFORE cooking in the meat thermometer
-cook at a LOW temp, for a long time. 350 for an hour, with 6 pounds of flank steak was a little too much
-don't forget the chimichurri sauce -- Now I have a fridge full of mint leaves.

When life gives you mint, make mint juleps?

Recipe for the steak here . yum.

One thing that was a huge hit:
Lemonade Pomegranate Punch
-1 gallon of chik-fil-a lemonade (the best)
-1 bottle of pomegranate liquor
-1 bottle of raspberry vodka

Pour over ice in cups -- party. hit.