Cowgirl Dinner Party ~ Pioneer Woman Style

What can I say except, "This was the best idea ever!" It all began when my dear friend Kelly, gave me a Pioneer Woman cookbook. The inscription said, "Just Because". 

Signey, Me, Syndi, Sherie, Jess, Alanna,
Trisha, Sarah, Farmer Jess, Tami
Missing: Kelly(we took the picture before Ben left and she wasn't there yet.)

 In the cookbook is a collection of recipes for a Cowgirl Dinner Party. How fun to have a dinner party, Just Because, with women! Farmer Jess, is Jess' Sister in Law, and she graciously agreed to host our party when we approached her with the idea.

The perfect table for a large family, or an intimate gathering of friends

 I really am not sure how I got so fortunate to be surrounded by such wonderful women, but also to have a party where I only had to show up! I'm not sure if you can see in the photo but Jess made us wine glasses, Mason jars epoxied to candlesticks, with raffia and bandanna embellishments.

I even ate the tomatoes, everything was delicious. 

 We began the evening with Jess gathering us in the living room and reading a wonderful nugget from God's Word.
        Psalm 75
         We give thanks to you, O God;

we give thanks, for your name is nnear.

We1 recount your wondrous deeds.

2 “At othe set time that I appoint

I will judge pwith equity.

3 When the earth qtotters, and all its inhabitants,

it is I who keep steady its rpillars. Selah

4 I say to the boastful, ‘Do not boast,’

and to the wicked, s‘Do not lift up your horn;

5 do not lift up your horn on high,

or speak with haughty neck.’”

6 For not from the east or from the west

and not from the wilderness comes tlifting up,

7 but it is uGod who executes judgment,

vputting down one and lifting up another.

8 wFor in the hand of the Lord there is xa cup

with foaming wine, ywell mixed,

and he pours out from it,

and all the wicked of the earth

shall zdrain it down to the dregs.

9 But I will declare it forever;

I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.

10 aAll the horns of the wicked I will cut off,

bbut the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up.

Doesn't Tami look beautiful, how fun that Taylor did her hair

 Then, she reduced us all to tears by saying meaningful, wonderful things about each person at the party, even someone she had only met a handful of times. The honesty and reality was refreshing! I appreciate how giving Jess is with her words, her time, and her faith.

Sangria and Pioneer Woman's Cookbooks

 We divided up the recipes and were treating to an amazing feast! We had Sangria (Sean said, in my day we called it Spodie) Sangria sounds much more feminine and grown up. We also had Cherry Limeade, Whiskey Glazed Carrots, Burgundy Mushrooms (they took 9 hours to cook, but were well worth the wait), Artichoke Cheesy Bread (could have eaten a whole loaf all to myself, maybe I will some day...), Caprice Salad, and Beef Tenderloin.

Kelly loves me despite my quirks.
She drove up from Snohomish to come to a party where she knew exactly 1 person, me! 

 The one who started it all, me and Kelly. For dessert we had Pots de Creme, and Flat Apple Pie, with homemade caramel sauce and Flat Blueberry Pie. I only wish I could have eaten more!

What Cowgirl party is complete without the Cowgirl boots? 

 Pioneer Woman Recipes have never disappointed me, and her party idea was even better. We laughed until we cried, we cried, and we talked and ate, and talked some more.

Jess, in the middle of one of her hilarious stories, or it might have been an impersonation.
Savannah did her hair

 Sherie, was Mikaela's 7th grade teacher and she is also the sister of Sarah, Jason O's #1 volunteer and one of the most generous, thoughtful and thorough women I have ever met. Sarah is conspicuously absent in all but 1 picture. Sherie told stories that had to be true, because there is no way you can make these things up! Side splitting laughing funny. Plus she brought the cute baby, so she's a keeper.

Don't be fooled by the quiet ones, they have the best things to share. 

 Alanna is pregnant with boy #4! Does she ever have some wisdom and experience to share.

*sigh*

 The Artichoke Cheesy bread might be the death of me, or at least my waistline! My friends really do love me! The original recipe calls for olives, but since I detest olives they changed it, Just.For.Me! Tami was happy with the change as well.

Why did they let me in? I don't have blond hair! 

 This is a Jessica Sandwich! Jess, Tami and Farmer Jess. Beautiful women inside and out. I really can't express how much they have blessed me just by who they are. Honest, hard working, full of integrity, fun, Biblical wives and mothers, and true friends.

Sherie and Jess

 Both Kelly and Sarah brought lovely hostess gifts. Kelly made us candy dispensers that are the cutest ever! They look like chicken waterers! and Sarah brought the 3 of us beautiful potted tulips! I love tulips, they give me the hope of warm weather, blue sky, and fresh air. I really felt like I was cheating. I said, let's have a party, then I showed up at the party and got lots of credit for hostessing.
I'm full of great ideas and always ready for some fun! If it's that easy I think I will do it more often.

Kelly, Me, Jason, Syndi, and Tami

Jason came and had some dessert, then Farmer Jess' husband, Ben came home, and Sarah's husband, Marty was with him. super fun to have some of the husbands there. Next time, I will make sure Sean comes to pick me up so he can join in!