We had a fabulous time celebrating many things tonight at our Second Annual Housecooling Party.
New house.
Fall weather.
29 years old this week.
Friendships.
Pumpkin beer.
Halloween!
[See the First Annual Housecooling in this post!]
I managed to pull the party together right as guests arrived. Despite cold weather and a setting sun, we set up outside – “for the photography!” and then moved inside later in the evening when most of the food had been eaten.
We had pretzels, chips and veggies for dipping into Great Harvest pimento cheese
A big green salad tossed with olive oil, balsamic, candied pecans and apples
Apples + apple butter [I picked up that killer ceramic skull at Michael’s today!!]
I made a big pot of Throw In A Pot Vegetarian Chili (with the addition of butternut squash and smoked paprika!). I never got a photo of it, but here is the cheddar cheese and sour cream I had for condiments!
And to go with – tons of bread. Guests also got a loaf leftover from sales today as a party favor!!
And we also had Hedgeapples – to scare away the spiders!
For dessert… Great Harvest cookies!
Brownie covered Oreos that Krissy made!
And cake!!!!!!!!!
Always and forever, 26 : )
I ate a little of everything – including a bowl each of soup and salad. It was a grazing kinda night!
Also, pumpkin beers for all! I had some of one plus a few of the Flying Dog brews that Sara and Lauren brought us – thanks guys, they were great! Loved the Harvest Fest.
Our only guest shot of the night before darkness settled in – Holly is due in 5 weeks!
We moved the buffet inside
And then ate cake!! I did not escape a serenade of Happy Birthday. Since I was little I have always been so embarrassed to be sung to!
My cake was a Pumpkin Oh Layer Cake!!!!!!!
Matt made it at the bakery [obviously] and it may have been my best birthday cake ever! [Remember Kanz’s 26 Chocolate Ganache Cake!?]
Also had some of Meredith’s Pumpkin Brownies and Krissy’s Oreos, so I’m on sugar overload right now. Why does sugar make you so thirsty!?
Fun fun night!!
{ 61 comments… read them below or add one }
The pumpkin oh layer cake looks amazing! I would want that end piece because I am a frosting lover! Happy early Birthday!
Wow! Amazing looking party, Kath! Everything looks perfect and delicious. Happy early birthday!
When I got home I drank like 3 glasses of water…I’m with ya!
Thanks for a fun evening!!
Yep, me too but I am pretty sure it was the 7% beer that made me thirsty! Lovely party, thanks!
Awww fun!! You’re going to start getting requests for pumpkin oh cakes at the bakery! Can’t believe it’s almost your ’26th’ birthday.
oh my! What a delicious and fun evening! That cake looks amazing! I’ve always been embarrassed when people sing “happy birthday” to me too. But at least after the embarrassment you got delicious cake!
Sounds like a fun evening
The Pumpkin Oh layer cake looks awesome, as does the rest of the food!
That cakes looks too good. I could go for a piece of it right now. I LOVE cakes with many layers like that one!!! I love the ’26′ idea too haha
Goodness gracious- how delicious your evening looks! Happy early birthday, beautiful lady!
That looks like a great time! That picture of you and your friends is so cute
My dad will always be 40 to me. Long live 26!
I’m scared to get sung to, too!
And all those desserts look AMAZING.
Happy Birthday! It looks like a wonderful night with friends and I love the “Housecooling” idea.
Thank you for all of your wonderful and inspiring posts!
Sugar does make you thirsty, prolly to get rid of that after taste.
You look so cute in that outfit!! Wear more clothes like that.
Happy almost birthday! You look great in the pic! Could the increased thirst be your body’s way of trying to dilute the glucose in your bloodstream?
Everything looks amazing
Especially the pumpkin cake! Happy soon to be birthday!!
What a cake! Happy early birthday Kath.
That cake looks delicious!!
Thank you for inspiring me to lead a healthier life. Lately, I’ve been having a hard time finding motivation and I want to lead a healthier life for myself and for my 2 boys (2 & 3 years old). I’m overweight and just plain tired (figuratively and literally). Every time I read your blog, I leave with a determination to make healthy choices at mealtime and to move my body. Thank you for that! I can’t wait to wake up tomorrow morning, go for a run/walk with my boys, and have a yummy oatmeal breakfast! I’ll be using one of your combo’s from Oprah Magazine
Thanks Karli!
Oh wow Matt has outdone himself- what a cake !!!
That all looks super delicious…. Happy Birthday!!
And don’t sweat 29…. after 29 there’s always 29b.. then 29c…. you get the picture.
Looks like a great party! I’ve decided that I wasn’t just celebrating my birthday, but I was celebrating my birth month! It’s been fun! Happy Birthday and Housecooling!
how fun! happy “26th” birthday, kath. i just turned 27 in august and decided as well that 26 is actually how old i would like to remain… forever. such a great age!
Happy birthday Kath! That cake looks amazing
Happy Birthday, Kath! That cake looks so good. Must be nice to have a baker of a husband, though I don’t know how you manage to stay so slim, your waist is so teeny!
Looks like great party!
Enjoy your Sunday
Pumpkin layer cake….whoa, nice!
And those cupcakes..nice! I have been rocking the candy corn recipes this past week and those look amazing.
pimento cheese…about 10 yrs ago I totally OD’ed on that stuff. Havent had it since but kind of want to all of a sudden. ha!
And I dig those leaf bowls. So cute!
oh what a fun time! happy birthday “week”!
I read your blog everday, and have for years, but I’ve only commented once (after you graduated). Today I just read your little comment on how sugar makes you thirsty….it was an ah, ha moment for me. Do you know anything about this? I drink tons of water, but am always thirsty. Any time I enquire as to why, the only reason that comes up is perhaps diabetes….which I’m not. I do however have a pretty good sugar addiction. So I’m just curious if you know anything that really validates sugar=thirst? Or maybe your just really in tune with your body and can make these connections, which I’m not. Or…..alchol parches you…..just sayin’! Happy birthday this week.
Sugar pulls water out of your body, leaving you dehydrated and, therefore, thirsty. Happens to me all the time:)
I actually think it was the 10% beer because sugar by itself doesn’t really have the same effect on me. Perhaps sugar + alcohol is the worst of the worst?
Um, can Matt make my wedding cake? I’m not even engaged yet, so he has plenty of time to think about it ; )
That cake DOES look like the best birthday cake ever! I’ll take pumpkin over chocolate any day.
The party looks like it was so much fun!! Kanz did a terrific job on the Pumpkin Oh cake!!!! Happy *almost* birthday! =D
What a fun evening, Kath! Those brownie covered oreos look and sound amazing! And your pumpkin-oh cake – what a perfect idea!
What a perfect evening! I love everything about this post- good food, friends, cake and of course…pumpkin beer
Your birthday cake looks delicious, as does the rest of the spread! Glad you had a great birthday
The cake seriously looks amazing!!
Your birthday cake looks so good! Nice job, Matt! Love the festive food spread and those brownie covered oreos – what a creative idea. I would definitely be in a sugar coma.
Hope you have a great “26th” birthday!
I had no idea that hedge apples were a natural solution for spiders.. Interesting.
Happy Birthday!!! I have celebrated turning 29 a couple of times..;)
Wow, 36 years old this year!! You don’t look a day over 35 Kath!
26**, 25*** stupid typo!
Haha – I was confused for a minute.
I’m actually turning 29!
Oh, man! Sorry I had to miss the party- and that cake! It’s so beautiful! Can your hubby teach my hubby to bake?
Glad you liked the harvest ale- I thought it was a nice surprise- not what I was expecting from a fall seasonal. Happy early bday- I’m “25″ forever.
of course it was pumpkin oh cake! How fitting! Looks like a great party! And I agree, it’s so awkward to stand there while people sing happy birthday!
What a blast! You always put together such a lovely spread! My theory for sugar making you thirsty is the body is trying to dilute the sugar in the blood. I don’t know if that is really correct though!
That cake looks so awesome! welcome to the 29 club soon
That cake looks incredible! Props to Matt! And Happy Early Birthday to you, Kath
That birthday cake looks delicious! It looked like a wonderful party! Happy Early Birthday!!
What a lovely party!
I want to be forever 23…. Your food, decorations, and drinks look so great and theme ish! Too cute!
You look good in jeans! Happy Belated Birthday.
That is so cute he made you a gazillion layer cake
It looks like you had a wonderful night!
The pimento cheese looks awesome!!! Wish I could have some to snack on later this evening!
You will have to change your age to ’29′ in the paragraph on the top left-hand side of the page underneath your picture once your birthday is here — but you do not look a day past 25
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
What a wonderful party.
Glad you had a nice relaxing “26″ birthday.
That outfit is very flattering on you!
Looks like fun was had by all. Happy birthday! Ah, to be 26 again…
Happy almost-birthday!! Everything looks delicious, especially the cake.
Gorgeous cake! I love homemade cakes
the fancy, fondant designed ones are beautiful in their own way, but just can’t compare to the homemade ones in my opinion. great party too!
Housecooling party–what a fun concept! and MMMM that cake looks good. Save me a slice