February 26, 2020
The Mardi Gras party was a great deal of fun! While I had been expecting about 50 people, several people canceled at the last minute due to being sick or other family emergencies, so I had about 40 people.
I was very excited that Jeanne from https://ajeanneinthekitchen.com/ and her husband, Larry, were able to come to my party. She came with a lovely bottle of wine and the most amazing torte! (See it here – https://ajeanneinthekitchen.com/2020/02/25/the-linzertorte/ and here https://ajeanneinthekitchen.com/2020/02/26/two-bloggers-meet/)

I was lucky enough to grab a piece of her torte before it disappeared and it was sooo good! Every guest that was lucky enough to get some of her torte made a point to tell me how good it was.
Here’s my party menu: https://retirementrvdream.com/2019/12/30/mardi-gras-party/. I didn’t get the deviled eggs made, as I had a guest show up almost an hour early and another one show up 30 minutes early!
I learned a couple of things. Don’t put the vegan and vegetarian options first, as the vegan red beans and rice were first on the buffet line and were mostly eaten before some of my vegetarian/vegan friends got to the food. I had enough, but not enough for seconds. If I had just switched the vegan red beans and rice with the red beans and rice with andouille sausage, I believe the red beans and rice with andouille sausage would have been eaten first. People went back for seconds and ate the red beans and rice with andouille sausage.
The other thing I learned, when the trash is looking mostly full, take the time to take it out. I thought about taking it out, but didn’t, and by the end of the party, the trash was piled over the top of the can, and the bag was so full and heavy, it was really hard to take out of the can.
Due to people showing up early, I didn’t get as many pictures as I would’ve liked. I didn’t get any pictures after the food was all set up.
Party set up Party Decorations The Remains of the Day Drink Station Coolers of Beer More Party Decorations The Leftover King Cake Made One Cake
Suggestion for next time: Anyone who shows up early, gets to help set up. Let that word out, with the invitations.
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I like that idea!
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Yes, they will get the idea that “host” does not mean “doormat”.
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It was a fun party and Julia and Bruce were the perfect hosts. We had a great time. 🙂
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King Cake. Yum!
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