Life with the Ball's: FUNdraiser

We hosted a gathering that tops all previous gathering/parties we've ever thrown. This one required a ton of work and a lot of planning. And stress? Why yes, that too. The things we do for church I tell ya.
It was a "Mid Summer's Eve Gala" and we went all out for it. The teenagers provided babysitting at the church while other teenagers served dinner and provided musical entertainment. We had appetizers of cheese and crackers, crisp salad with buttermilk dressing, Chicken Marsala with creamy garlic potatoes, and three choices of dessert. Luckily I wasn't in charge of the food, just the appetizers and table centerpieces. We hoped the weather would cooperate so everyone could eat outside but it was too cold so a couple hours before showtime Randy and I rearranged what felt like every piece of furniture in our house. We needed to maximize seating for thirty people plus have room for the dinner entertainment after. Twenty minutes before guests were supposed to arrive there was still not a soul there with food or place settings. I tried not to panic while I took the boys to the church for babysitting hoping miracles would happen while I was gone. And there was a miracle. I returned home to a kitchen full of women preparing food, unpacking their good China, setting the tables, and lighting candles. It sounded and smelled like a bustling restaurant in the height of dinner hour and reminded me of all those hours I spent waiting tables to pay for college years ago.
The guests had a great time while enjoying delicious food, good company, and live musical entertainment. One of our friends sings and plays the guitar and is so good I really think he should quit his day job. The kids worked hard and earned just under a thousand dollars to pay for their summer camps and I know the adults were happy to contribute for such a fun evening. It beats holding a car wash any day!