With excitement and nervous anticipation, we decided together to throw a small launch party prior to the release of our first issue. It wasn't necessary, but after working on this project for several months, it felt right to cap it off with a celebration. Besides, since convening for the first time last September, we've come to look for any old excuse to get together. This time, we each invited a few close friends and family to celebrate the completion of this online magazine with us. In a nearby town we found the sweetest old house that is part of the complex in one of America's oldest communities, The Ephrata Cloister, which dates back to the 1700's. We found it's place and purpose in history fitting for a celebration of a collaboration that focuses on importance of neighborliness.
We christened Janelle (one of our contributors and an event planner extraordinaire) to wave her proverbial party wand and make it magical, as she is naturally inclined to do with even the mere idea of an event. It took her an entire nanosecond to agree (and create a private Pinterest party inspiration board) and we all breathed a collective sigh of relief (Kristen and Heather were able to shelve their Uncrustables-as-hors d'oeuvre idea, while Jeane` quietly stuck her great-grandmother's dusty silk tulips back into storage). Inspired by warm, soothing colors, touches of whimsy and thoughts of Springtime, Janelle weaved her magic on a dime. We were each commissioned to provide an appetizer, beverages and an enviable gift basket for our giveaway table. The favors were assembled using small boxes from Michaels that Rachel tirelessly put together, one-at-a-time, as her children sat waiting for their breakfast, then lunch, then dinner (JUST kidding. She's a great mama. She threw cheese sticks at them intermittently and even provided canteens filled with tap water). She lovingly filled the boxes with chocolates (who can't feel the love when being handed a little dark and milk?), wrapped them with twine and lace and adorned their plain white lids with adorable mini cards from this company.
On a rainy evening a few nights before the big shin dig, we convened in our yoga pants-and-sweatshirts to make the bunting by cutting triangles from plain old computer paper and stapling them to ribbon. The effect they added to the rugged post-and-beam common area was beautiful and celebratory! Between a few of us vintage dish hoarders, er, lovers, we had china plates to serve 80! The centerpieces on the tables were arranged using sections of burlap covered in intricate lace, topped with vintage books, a few candles in jelly jars and blue mason jars filled with greens and white tulips. Easy, accessible and best of all, plenty of classy without plenty of expense. The dessert table overflowed with mini cupcakes, eclairs and a small cake made by House of Clarendon. The mantle was arranged using strips of lace tied onto a long piece of ribbon, an abundance of candles in unique containers and a lovely original piece by local artist, Aimee Weaver.
A few of the appetizers and their recipes were ones we were still hankering for the next day. Here they are, in no particular order of next-day craving:
....Gouda in Puffed Pastry, with apples on the side, (creatively served on a large chunk of a tree trunk),
....Mango salsa mixed with sour cream, served with Pita chips (both from Costco) and
....The Barefoot Contessa's Herbed Ricotta Bruschetta.
We ended the evening by each taking a turn to share how each of our backgrounds have shaped what our contributions will focus on with Neighborlies and revealed the website on the overhead screen, giving our guests a tour of the online "neighborhood". It was a special moment for all of us that had worked so hard to make it happen, even as we are unsure of where this path we are happy to be on is leading us. Here are a few snapshots from our evening....
We christened Janelle (one of our contributors and an event planner extraordinaire) to wave her proverbial party wand and make it magical, as she is naturally inclined to do with even the mere idea of an event. It took her an entire nanosecond to agree (and create a private Pinterest party inspiration board) and we all breathed a collective sigh of relief (Kristen and Heather were able to shelve their Uncrustables-as-hors d'oeuvre idea, while Jeane` quietly stuck her great-grandmother's dusty silk tulips back into storage). Inspired by warm, soothing colors, touches of whimsy and thoughts of Springtime, Janelle weaved her magic on a dime. We were each commissioned to provide an appetizer, beverages and an enviable gift basket for our giveaway table. The favors were assembled using small boxes from Michaels that Rachel tirelessly put together, one-at-a-time, as her children sat waiting for their breakfast, then lunch, then dinner (JUST kidding. She's a great mama. She threw cheese sticks at them intermittently and even provided canteens filled with tap water). She lovingly filled the boxes with chocolates (who can't feel the love when being handed a little dark and milk?), wrapped them with twine and lace and adorned their plain white lids with adorable mini cards from this company.
On a rainy evening a few nights before the big shin dig, we convened in our yoga pants-and-sweatshirts to make the bunting by cutting triangles from plain old computer paper and stapling them to ribbon. The effect they added to the rugged post-and-beam common area was beautiful and celebratory! Between a few of us vintage dish hoarders, er, lovers, we had china plates to serve 80! The centerpieces on the tables were arranged using sections of burlap covered in intricate lace, topped with vintage books, a few candles in jelly jars and blue mason jars filled with greens and white tulips. Easy, accessible and best of all, plenty of classy without plenty of expense. The dessert table overflowed with mini cupcakes, eclairs and a small cake made by House of Clarendon. The mantle was arranged using strips of lace tied onto a long piece of ribbon, an abundance of candles in unique containers and a lovely original piece by local artist, Aimee Weaver.
A few of the appetizers and their recipes were ones we were still hankering for the next day. Here they are, in no particular order of next-day craving:
....Gouda in Puffed Pastry, with apples on the side, (creatively served on a large chunk of a tree trunk),
....Mango salsa mixed with sour cream, served with Pita chips (both from Costco) and
....The Barefoot Contessa's Herbed Ricotta Bruschetta.
We ended the evening by each taking a turn to share how each of our backgrounds have shaped what our contributions will focus on with Neighborlies and revealed the website on the overhead screen, giving our guests a tour of the online "neighborhood". It was a special moment for all of us that had worked so hard to make it happen, even as we are unsure of where this path we are happy to be on is leading us. Here are a few snapshots from our evening....
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