Summer Entertaining on the Porch with Cocktails!

Hello dear friends!  I've been missing you!  I have been in rather a writing slump lately as family and Eleven Gables projects have been first and foremost on my plate.  My family recently returned from a trip to the Riviera Maya where we relaxed and made some fun family memories.  I shared a bit on my Instagram page. (Click HERE to see) Have you downloaded the Instagram app to your mobile device or pad??  You really MUST!!!  It is a wonderful place to connect to like-minded people who share your interests.  I frequently feature other accounts who I think my "followers" would connect with or enjoy seeing their view.  I have even made "REAL-LIFE" friends through this wonderful cyberspace.  I can't recommend this app enough!  Go download it now!!  You can thank me later ;)

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of hostessing a lovely personal shower for our dearest babysitter and my right-hand-woman while my children were littles.  I thought I would show you how I got Eleven Gables party ready!

Twinkle Lights are left up year-round here in the back yard.  We strung them for a birthday party last summer and loved them so much, we just left them up!  Turning them on when playing or entertaining makes the yard glow with a special ambiance.  I love that you can do this in any size yard and make it feel so special.

For summer, I added touches of Pink & Green to the porch.  

If you know me by now, you know I am all about the MIX!!  I love mixing the wicker furniture with the bamboo, the blue and white porcelains with the black and white pillows and rug.  Adding the little punches of pink really just worked for my eye.   

The Lilly Pulitzer for Target line had the perfect bright summer accessories to add to make the porch fun and inviting.  Come on in and stay awhile!

These ikea pillows are so much fun by themselves, but I needed a pop of pink here, so I made 8 Pom-Poms following this tutorial and stitched them to the corners of the pillow. 

(bamboo folding chairs)

I grow lots of different flowers around the landscape.  I like to have a wave of blooms so that there is always something to cut and bring inside.  These Oakleaf Hydrangea were just beginning to bloom as the peonies, spring David Austin Roses, and Snowball Viburnum had just faded.  They are big, bold, and beautiful.  Perfect for the porch!

Lots of little goodies await!

sink

Inside, I clipped the last of the peonies and roses and placed them in bud vases on the window ledge.

The food was prepared by the bride's cousin and quadruplet sister.  It was DELISH!!!!!!   Balsamic tomato bruschetta, edamame pea hummus with veggies, smoked salmon cucumber wasabi wraps, prosciutto wrapped stuffed jalapeños, pear and gorgonzola stuffed mushrooms, mini key lime pie shooters, chocolate covered strawberries, and french macarons.  
Lovely floral arrangements were done by a friend of the bride and co-hostess of the party.

Fun and Colorful was the theme!

Delicious Cocktails were whipped up by moi!  

I made this little recipe up out of necessity because I wanted a pink drink without it being Raspberry (I don't like raspberries) or Strawberry (another hostess was allergic to strawberries).  It turned out to be SCRUMPTIOUS!!!  So I thought I'd share it with you!!

Cherry-Limeade Margarita

by Emily of Eleven Gables

makes a blender full (about 8 cups)

1 can frozen Limeade (12 ounces)

8 ounces tequila (I use 100% agave made tequila- makes all the difference in the taste of a good margarita)

4 ounces triple-sec

splash of water (about 2 ounces) to cut sweetness

4 ounces frozen whole unsweetened cherries

Ice to fill blender

Place all ingredients in the blender.  Blend until smooth.  

Serve immediately or freeze until ready to serve.  From frozen, let stand 10-20 minutes, stir and serve.

I also made delicious cosmopolitans and served these as guests arrived!

Eleven Gables Cosmopolitans

I made these in a pitcher ahead of time, then poured each serving into a shaker with ICE prior to serving

(serves 12)

3/4 cup Fresh Lime Juice

2 cups Cranberry Juice Cocktail

3/4 cup Cointreau

2 1/4 cup Citrus Vodka

1/3 cup sugar

Add all ingredients to a pitcher and stir until sugar is dissolved.  Refrigerate until party.  As guests arrive, pour into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.  Shake well and strain into a fun glass.  Garnish with a lime wheel. 

Special memories and words of advice were written for the bride.

Hostesses with the Bride!

The Sweet Bride and me at her bridal shower

photography by ClayTaylor Photography

"Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her!" Luke 1:45


We wish the new couple God's richest blessings throughout the years.  They have been such a sweet example of Christ's love and are moving to Florida to continue sharing Christ in ministry.    Please join me in prayer for them.
To learn more about their ministry, visit their website: 

www.purecharity.com/carterjaycox



So glad you stopped in today!!!  I hope you gleaned some ideas for your own home!

xox,

Emily

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