Family Blessings

Last week was our week to host, it seems! I told you yesterday about the friends we had over during the week...and then on the weekend, we invited Ryan's dad and step-mom, along with his grandma and step-grandpa over for dinner!

I will admit to you - I was a bit nervous! We don't get to see his dad's side of the family very often, and I am still the new girl! I felt that strange bit of self-imposed pressure to make a good impression, because I wanted them to think he'd made a good choice when he chose me. I guess the measuring stick for choice is the ability to serve a good dinner? {??????}

We were blessed with an unbelievable weekend of weather - my GOODNESS it was perfect! - so we set everything up on the patio again, and enjoyed a lovely evening with his family.

We kept it simple with the food...a chili bar!!

Ryan made the chili himself - simmered it in the crock pot all day long, so it was good and flavorful by dinner time. I made some cornbread and put some potatoes in the oven to bake in case anyone wanted chili on a potato. I chopped up some onion and green peppers, dished up some shredded cheese and sour cream, and added a plate of saltines and a bowl of chili flavored Fritos. There you have it! Build your own chili! {Shawn, I entirely spaced the pasta...OOPSIE!!!!}

For decorations, I just borrowed all the stuff I had on hand for my October mantel!

A little bale of straw I bought at Hobby Lobby a couple of months ago...a handful of tiny pumpkins, and a vase with some fresh cut mums Ryan brought home for me. Simple - but cute. And I appreciate the side of the pirogi being a nice fall color for me. :)

I had another little table for the water and tea pitchers...and I put the extra mums on that table.

And I can't forget dessert!! I wanted to make something pumpkin-y, and I wanted to try something new. {Always a gamble for company.}

I've made Paula Deen's gooey butter cake and the chocolate version of the gooey butter cake.  I figured I couldn't go wrong with the pumpkin gooey butter cake...right? So I whipped up a cake....and at the very last minute, decided I might want to candy some pecans to go with it. I didn't have time to do the whole long baked version, so I found this quick and easy version. It's not quite the same as the way I've made them before, but it really does just take five minutes and we all loved them. I was so glad I did that...the crunch was a good addition.

It was a delightful evening. So laid-back...and my worries were in vain. They had a great time and I loved watching Ryan exchange stories with them.

One of the many things I love about this married life...the chance to open our home to our families!