One potato, two potato, three potato, four. Misty's Dine by Design leaves us wanting more, more, more.Newcomers to our community won't know, that earlier this summer we challenged willing readers to host Dine By Design gatherings at their homes. The gatherings are meant to do two things. First, they are meant to serve as fundraisers for Highlowaha's, Gift of 218 (our blog's philanthropy designed to provide memorable experiences to families who could otherwise never afford it). Second, the gathering are meant to be venues for showcasing your creativity.
Loyal friend and reader, Misty fulfilled both goals, beautifully. Today I will take a page out of Cheryl's playbook. I'll let photographs from this weekend's event do the talking and inspiring.
First, some context. In January, Misty invited me to a warm and cozy Potato Soup Party. It was an invitation to hunker down with a fun group of women, to share a vat of award winning potato soup, and to enjoy casual conversation on a wide range of interesting topics.
Potato soup is great, but never in a million years did I think POTATOES interesting enough to serve as the leading lady in a Dine By Design gathering. But, with Misty at the helm all things are possible. Somehow she used nothing more than potatoes to serve as the inspiration for her Dine by Design Gathering. Take a look.
A true show stopper, look at Misty's centerpiece! She made this flower arrangement using old potato chip bags. Flowers were gathered and displayed in burlap bags donated by a local supermarket.
Using rustic-looking twine and clothespins, Misty strung a combination of burlap bags and empty potato chip bags to serve as festive garland!
Even the backs of chairs had makeshift covers. And, notice the red bandanna table cloth. Details, details, details...
The spread of food was every bit as impressive as the decorations made by Misty. The clincher... a pot luck luncheon with every dish containing some form of potato! Dips, muffins, casseroles, salads, and more. Carb City, baby. I loved it!
Here are a few dishes up close and personal...
Beverages were the only thing for which potatoes were not required. Strawberry daiquiris and pina coladas flowed freely while this dynamic group of 14 women sat pool side, sharing stories and... being philanthropists to boot! Each party goer paid $10.00 to attend and all tolled $145.00 was raised for Gift of 218. All in a hard day's work.
So how about you? Could you throw an entire party centered around something so seemingly banal as a potato? If so, what might you add? If not, what kind of party would you throw? And while you're at it, why not go ahead and throw it? Give it a whirl. You'll have fun and a good cause will benefit.
Here are a few dishes up close and personal...Yum!
Yummy!
Yummier!
And yes, even potato chip cookies (my personal favorite)!
Beverages were the only thing for which potatoes were not required. Strawberry daiquiris and pina coladas flowed freely while this dynamic group of 14 women sat pool side, sharing stories and... being philanthropists to boot! Each party goer paid $10.00 to attend and all tolled $145.00 was raised for Gift of 218. All in a hard day's work.
So how about you? Could you throw an entire party centered around something so seemingly banal as a potato? If so, what might you add? If not, what kind of party would you throw? And while you're at it, why not go ahead and throw it? Give it a whirl. You'll have fun and a good cause will benefit.Whose party will be featured next? I can hardly wait to see.
Signing off until tomorrow...
