dinner under the stars

And now, for the 2nd of 2 rare dinner/food based posts...

Right on the heels of one of the best dinners I have ever had, this one wasn't far behind. It was a potluck style dinner with 6 couples from the dinner group I'm involved with. Though the food was amazing, it was really the setting, the weather and the company that made for the special night. You can see the Argentinian menu Sarah posted on The Hungry Bambino. Ryan and I were in charge of the steaks and desert which proved to be 2 really easy dishes to serve as the hosts--basically no prep which left more time for the details. One thing I love about being involved in a dinner club is trying my hand at different dishes that I wouldn't normally pick to cook. It was our first time with flank steaks and I'm happy to report we'll be making them again, soon. I really wanted to get my hands on one of the hand-cranking ice cream makers for the desert but alas, with my husband out of a job currently, it "wasn't a smart purchase"-his words. Sassy Cow did a good job of filling in where I left off.

Okay, so I didn't end up using any of my recommended porch party picks, but I did set a pretty table. I always like to add at least one thing to my "entertaining arsenol" when I have a party, so this time I bought the checkered table cloth, which was really just 4 yards of fabric at JoAnn's. I didn't even hem it, it cut really well and, frankly, I didn't have time, nor did I care. I also invested in 12 steak knives, because I'm forever trying to hunt them down for parties. I actually got mine at T.J. Maxx for $30/dozen! I didn't realize until just now what I great deal I got. The wooden container had me at first glance, I'm such a sucker for packaging. The napkins were tea towels from Ikea. I pick up 10 or so each time I make the grand voyage. With the ones I just added to my collection for this occasion, I probably own 50 now--no joke. The name tags were made out of old ledger paper I bought from Big Sheep Yarns ages ago, and the rosemary was clipped from my herb garden. Everything else was native to the Stephenson household from previous parties.

Any big picnic dinners in store for your holiday weekend? Bon appetite!