Girls-Night-In (GNI)

I'm hosting the group of ladies from my old neighborhood.  I'm the 6th person to move out, but the group keeps going (for now).  Remember when I was on the fence about staying in the group?  Hosting this month gives me a pass to figure that out over the next year (there are 12 of us in the group -- host once a year -- heavy MATH!).  Moving could be the reason I get to leave gracefully.  But, as my crazy has it, as soon as I COULD leave, I questioned leaving.

I'm making a "lady's" supper tonight.  Salad bar because we all have restrictions.  Green vegetable salad and all the GOOD stuff on the side.  I made a mustard-honey-paprika grilled chicken last night (Pioneer Woman - so easy and good).  I have cheese, nuts, dried fruit, etc for the side.  Usually, I'll make a salad dressing, but with my weekend recovery still on-going, I decided to buy instead.  I also have a fresh fruit.

I took a short-cut on starters too.  Costco precooked, marinated shrimp (I'll make a sauce) and my favorite cheese presentation.  Blue cheese drizzled with honey and roasted, chopped pecans.  I don't like honey or blue cheese very much, but together it's DELICIOUS.  Easy, pretty and something different than sliced cheddar.  Done.

Dessert is a bag of brownie crips -- no one will eat dessert, but I feel obligated to have something sweet.  Hubby will polish off what's left.

I went to Costco for some good, but cheap white wines.  I don't love Chardonnay, but all the girls do. Costco usually has a helpful wine buyer standing by to help -- Costco for the win on wine ALWAYS!

The "fun" part of the night is a repeat from the first one I hosted.  Used accessory exchange.  Clean out something from your closet, wrap it and then the draw-the-number game.  Last time everyone left with some cute things.  We all can stand a closet, jewelry clean out.   It requires no shopping or spending money -- you should also try to reuse a gift bag (we all have them).  The girlfriend who gave me the idea, did hers like a shopping experience.  Bring 5 things, take 5 things, for example.  She arranged tables with "like" things and you shopped the tables.  That's fun, but tons more work.  I simplified it.

My heart was NEVER into this night so I'm trying to slip by as easily as possible.  Even with everything easy, it's still a lot of set-up.

We are watching our grand-dogs for 5 days.  Hubby is taking them to their apartment while the party is going.  The little one will be too stressed with everyone here.

I got some new house things.  I'll post about that tomorrow.  Later gators.