We had such a fun fiesta in our backyard last week and I'm going to share with you how it came about from beginning to end. The weather, garden, food and the guests were all just perfect and fun was had by all! We especially loved the game we played at the end. Please read on!

This party was for our Second Friday Party Group. A version of this group has been going on for over 45 years! We are 6 couples and 2 singles so if everyone attends, we are 14. We have an unofficial secretary who once or twice a year will send out a sign up sheet. You can imagine that the summer dates are pretty popular and I was lucky to snag the July thinking I would have a BLT party, but as the cold spring dragged on, I realized our tomatoes would not be ready so I made a quick change to tacos because this group loves Mexican food. We all have second Friday blocked out for perpetuity, but a week before I sent out an email asking for attendance numbers. When I know how many are coming, I choose the main dish, tacos and chicken enchiladas for this party, and send out sign ups for appetizers, sides and dessert. With our potlucks, we usually have a theme and ask guests to plan around that theme. This is what my friends came up with: two appetizers, salsa and chips and guacamole and chips. On the buffet, next to the the build-your-own taco bar and the chicken enchiladas that I made, were a corn and avocado salad, refried beans, and Mexican spoon bread. I asked for ice cream bars or ice cream sandwiches for dessert so I could cut down on using another set of plates and forks and my friend brought It's Its! For a long time It's Its were a local San Francisco Bay Area treat, but I understand now they are available nationwide, as they should be! Best ice cream sandwich ever.

Two days before the party I did the grocery shopping and made sure I had enough wine and beer. I also hung up my knitted bunting which was perfect for a fiesta. The day before the party I made the pan of enchiladas and prepped the taco fixings: spicy ground beef, chopped tomatoes and lettuce, and shredded sharp cheddar cheese. I also set out all my glassware, plates, serving pieces, cutlery, vases, tablecloths and napkins and checked to see if everything was clean, and decided the glasses could do with a run through the dishwasher. The morning of the party I picked oodles of flowers and made six blousy and colorful informal arrangements; a big one for the drinks table and five smaller arrangements for the dinner tables and to place around the house. If you don't have a flower garden, grocery store flowers are pretty amazing these days and a great bargain. I then gathered up all my knitted blankets and stacked them on an outdoor table. I love it when it gets cold and I get to pass them around, but unfortunately the weather was perfect and they were unused! Later in the day I set the tables, then took a shower and we waited for our guests. 

We served Mexican beer and wine on a table set up near the vegetable garden. I made several pitchers of wine spritzers (one part wine, one part sparkling water) and that ended up being the most popular before dinner drink. I put water glasses on the dining tables and filled them just before dinner, then everyone brings their wine glass to the table. This cuts down on the glassware. I used to hire help when I entertained 12 or more, but with our casual group I don't feel the need to as we are all easy-going about the party routines.

When the party's over, our group is a well trained bunch. When it's time to go, whoosh, everyone clears the tables. In minutes, everything is scooped up and taken inside, including the tablecloths and even take away their serving dishes unwashed; it's just easier for the hostess that way. After the guests have left, we put away leftovers if any, then put one load in the dishwasher, put the napkins and tablecloths in the washing machine, and then head for bed. The next day there is one more dishwasher load to do, the tablecloths to go in the dryer then folded and put away, then a few little other tidying up chores to do, and then there you go, the party is officially over!

Do you know about these taco holders? We use them all the time! I ended up buying 18 for parties just like this but we use them when we are having a taco dinner on our own, plus my grandson loves to play with them, as if he doesn't have enough toys of his own! On one side it holds two tacos upright for filling, but flip it over and it holds three tacos. It's ingenious, right? They are even dishwasher safe.

Thank you for dropping by and I hope you enjoyed hearing about my Mexican Fiesta. It certainly is one of the easier parties I have hosted, and definitely the most colorful! I hope this summer you are having opportunities to enjoy some good dinners with good friends. xo Kristen