Potluck with a twist.

I love connecting with friends over the summer, I love casual entertaining, I love traditions...so why not invite everyone over at once? And often?  Who cares that the house is in transition (not to mention the neighbors' house too)!

Every Tuesday all summer we hosted potluck at our house.  We provided "drinks, dishes, and dessert" (and hot dogs and a big old front porch in the shade and a blanket in the yard for the kids).  No RSVP required, so a surprise every week.  Most weeks we had 15-20 guests, and one Tuesday in July we had over 40 (now that was a surprise).  I highly recommend it!

Here's how it worked out, compared to my wishlist published here in June:

reconnect with old friends 

I loved getting to see my old college friend Chris nearly every week!

get to know new friends better

Thank you Curt, Meg & Alice brightening our summer!  Thank you all who shared your
Tuesdays with us!

playtime for the kiddies (just like in the old days)

This is the #1 reason I would do potlucks again.  The kids had sooo much fun.  They played games, ate together, and even put on a few plays.  Every summer we find ourselves trying to orchestrate playdates and work and child care...the kids looked forward to Tuesday nights all summer (and not just my kids, either).

tidy house at least once a week

Needless to say, this Tuesday came & went with nary a dustrag in my hand.

actually follow-through on inviting friends to dinner

maybe someone will look at my scrapbooks!

Or maybe we'll have such good weather that no one will sit in the parlour to look at them!

motivation to complete a few projects around the house (another list?)

Dining room painted (check); F's room painted (check - and not even on the list!); piles of junk everywhere from insulation installation (double check)

try new foods & flavors

YUM!  More to follow on this topic in another post this month.

maybe I'll take up gardening

Does it count if I simply remembered to water the plants?

I'm in charge of dessert

Bonus (Reinvented) Idea:

On the first Tuesday, I took a photo of our front porch at 6pm, before any guests arrived.  Then, each Tuesday, I took a photo from the same vantage point when the potluck was in full swing.  (Unfortunately, I missed one Tuesday in July.)  This idea is courtesy of 52 Projects, where the author suggests taking a photo before the party, during the party, and after the party.  (Our guests were too neat to make the after photo worth taking!)

reconnect with old friends 

I loved getting to see my old college friend Chris nearly every week!

get to know new friends better

Thank you Curt, Meg & Alice brightening our summer!  Thank you all who shared your
Tuesdays with us!

playtime for the kiddies (just like in the old days)

This is the #1 reason I would do potlucks again.  The kids had sooo much fun.  They played games, ate together, and even put on a few plays.  Every summer we find ourselves trying to orchestrate playdates and work and child care...the kids looked forward to Tuesday nights all summer (and not just my kids, either).

tidy house at least once a week

Needless to say, this Tuesday came & went with nary a dustrag in my hand.

actually follow-through on inviting friends to dinner

maybe someone will look at my scrapbooks!

Or maybe we'll have such good weather that no one will sit in the parlour to look at them!

motivation to complete a few projects around the house (another list?)

Dining room painted (check); F's room painted (check - and not even on the list!); piles of junk everywhere from insulation installation (double check)

try new foods & flavors

YUM!  More to follow on this topic in another post this month.

maybe I'll take up gardening

Does it count if I simply remembered to water the plants?

I'm in charge of dessert

Bonus (Reinvented) Idea:

On the first Tuesday, I took a photo of our front porch at 6pm, before any guests arrived.  Then, each Tuesday, I took a photo from the same vantage point when the potluck was in full swing.  (Unfortunately, I missed one Tuesday in July.)  This idea is courtesy of 52 Projects, where the author suggests taking a photo before the party, during the party, and after the party.  (Our guests were too neat to make the after photo worth taking!)

Comments

[sosser]

i love potlucks and your tradition of a weekly hosting over the summer months is terrific! i've been known to host a few every year for some busy girlfriends i never get a chance to see otherwise. it's even more fun than eating out at restaurants :)