The Party's Over

     And like that, the graduation party is done and in the memory bank. Good thing as I was so busy that I didn't take a single picture and forgot to ask others to snap a few on my behalf. Thank you all for your kind words and motivational words. Despite literally working right up until (and then into the first guests arriving) DH, DD2, and myself were able to enjoy the party. DD1 though gets all the credit for that. She was incredible, overseeing the kitchen, ensuring nothing ever ran out, directing others who offered help. If you are  a fan of the show Friends, you will understand when I say she is Monica. The help didn't start with the night of the party as she also made a delicious pasta salad that was devoured, prepped all the vegetables the night before while DH and I went to pick up the tent. came early and helped set up the tent with her dad and brother, prepped fruit, finished pasting down pictures for a poster board display, and general helped do last minute cleaning. Words are not enough to describe how much I love that  child! 

     We had a great turn out. People I wasn't really expecting to come came, though of course some we thought would be there must have had conflicts. A childhood friend of mine who I hadn't seen in over a decade made it. That was a wonderful surprise.The bulk of people were there in the first hour, but there were trickles of new arrivals though out the night. At one point I had all 60 chairs filled, plus dozens standing, or playing yard games. Then, we got a few sprinkles, then a 20 minute downpour. People huddled under the tent, which was wonderful because the sides went down a bit. Other crammed inside my smallish house, down in the lower level family room, the living room, or generally  standing about. Once the rain stopped, I had a load of help with towels, drying off tables and chairs, and the party continued without skipping a beat. Based on the amount of buns and plates I went through, Id say I fed 120 people the meal with many of the kids in and out for deserts, fruit, and the chocolate dip if they had already eaten at any of the other parties. . 

     The chocolate fountain didn't work, but we just used small dip size crock pot. It was less impressive, which I felt a little disappointed about because DD2 had really wanted one. She was unphased though, and the chocolate was delicious. The brand was Sephora Dark Melting chocolate. It was not cheap, but worth it for actual chocolate and not the fake tasting stuff. Plus, don't believe the reviews that said a  two pound bag only fed 20 adults and children. I don't know if they were eating it by the spoonful, but I only went through one 2 pound bag and have three in reserve. It's a best by date of next spring so I'll use for chocolate strawberries as the summer goes on, plus Christmas cooking. The desert bars were all tasty with sisters and sister-in-laws, and DD1 again, providing all. I had much variety and lots of brownies, including DD1's vegan version-really delicious, including Special K, Rice Krispy, bananas, Carmelita, and lemon bars. I have leftovers and encouraged people to take their leftovers with them as we had a tray still made up, but most left them behind. Let's just say, I will not be cooking for a while with  the amount of food leftover. I froze six large freezer bags or storage containers of meat, plus another large  container that I'll bring to the lake Sunday for Fathers day. 

     DD1 ended up going to her own home, though considered staying over, but decided sleeping in her own bed would be better. She has laundry and packing to do as she heads to Iceland Sunday night, meeting a grad school friend form London. DS is here until Monday night. He too was a big help, setting up the tent, as he does a lot of that as part of his job on production sets, and was the "beer guy." He and DD1 later made  a fire for the graduate and friends, many who stayed well past midnight. I kept saying in this blog, even though in my head the worry was still happening, that I would settle for good enough. Well, there were dozens of projects that didn't get complete. We had bathroom issues in both. We had the dousing of rain and a fountain that didn't work, and my brother and his wife arriving an hour early because they thought the party started at 5:00 and they are usually the first to arrive. Still, despite all these things, as I cleaned up the crocks (still have a roaster soaking), I can declare a success.