Housewarming!

The party turned out fantastic! After the initial disappointment of receiving several declines (and several no-responses, sigh), we ended up with a great turnout from family and good friends.

We had written projects we wanted to accomplish before the party on the chalkboard wall, and we were able to cross off the following:

• Put a hand towel ring up in the powder room
• Get a new couch cover
• Get a kitchen rug
• Hook up dryer
• Paint our bedroom
• Paint the vestibule in the downstairs
• Repair the loose curtain fixture on the patio door
• Paint and put up shelves in Emmie's room

We got these shelves at Goodwill for $0.99

A little paint, and they're so cute in Emmie's room!

It would've been great to get it all done, but we're on a budget and have a toddler who rules our time!

We spent all Friday night cleaning and preparing for the party.  We had an Oktoberfest theme.  I made potato salad from scratch using a recipe I got from a German grandmother.  We got four different kinds of wurst and stocked the fridge with beer.  I even played German polka on the stereo, which was pretty funny.

The chalkboard wall is both greeting and menu

The day of the party was in the high 60's, with a slight breeze, clear blue sky, and warm rays of sun.  Bruce's family all showed up right away.  His parents got us a fire pit as a present, something Bruce has always wanted!  Soon the house was crowded, people mingling in the basement, kitchen, backyard, drinks in hand.  Children ran and played all over - Emmie was loving it!  Bruce manned the grill while I played hostess, showing people through the house.  Everyone really praised our little home.

It was exactly the way I hoped it would be.

People ate, drank, and were merry.  After a few hours, we cut into the delicious cake Bruce's parents had generously provided.  The 'adults' started leaving, and our friends remained.  Emmie went to sleep exhausted and happy.  One friend ran out and got us firewood.  We bundled up in hoodie sweatshirts and sat in a circle around the fire, laughing and talking.

Everyone had a wunderbar time.  Our housewarming party was a complete success!