Down and Dirty Derby-Bunco!

 

 Derby-Bunco Party!

Wow, what a fun #Derby evening with my #Bunco Babes!  Had a fun parade of Derby Hats,

 and enjoyed a crazy, fun Day At The Races!  We had a #photofinish between "Queen Kanga" and "Bourbon Babe," thoroughbreds for sure!"

Jane's Watermelon Square Salad was so good I made another  one today for my hubby to enjoy!   Watermelon Squares, feta cheese, balsamic vinegar with mint sprinkled over and sprigs for garnish.

The food was fabulous and I must thank my "snack helpers" for the Derby Worthy Delights-  Derby Pie, Watermelon-Mint Squares and Bourbon Balls!

Jane's Derby Pie was Derby-licious for The Win!  http://www.punchbowl.com/p/kentucky-style-pie-recipe

Gwen's Bourbon Balls were charmingly southern! (will get Gwen's recipe and post very soon)


I had so many menu choices that it was a  bit overwhelming to select  the recipes for my Derby theme.    My snack helpers were truly helpful in making my menu selections pictured above.   It gave me time to prepare more wonderful party foods!

Southern Gentleman Pasta Salad http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/broccoli-grape-pasta-salad-50400000115388/: Bow Tie Pasta made this salad a "must do" for the Derby!  Bow Ties on the wine glasses are from Oriental Trading Company.

The Triple Crown of Derby Salads: Country Ham Salad http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Winter-Blossoms-Often-Requested-Ham-Salad/Detail.aspx,  Benedictine Salad http://www.yumsugar.com/Wich-Week-Benedictine-Cheese-Tea-Sandwiches-1610066,  Creamy Chicken Salad (storebought with grapes/pecans/pineapple added to "doctor it up" a bit)  I served the ham salad with celery sticks, the Benedictine salad on thin white bread slices with a piece of red lettuce in between slices of bread and quartered into triangles; chicken salad served with wheat crackers.  In all the excitement I didn't get a pic of my serving trays so the above pic is courtesy of a magazine from Louisville Visitors' Center.

The featured drink, Wine Juleps,  highlighted the experience of a Day at the Derby!  I opted for this milder drink after having friends remind me how strong a true Mint Julep can be!  And….it was quite simple to assemble: a bottle of white wine, a bottle of ginger ale, crushed ice and mint sprigs.  Light and Refreshing!

Aside from the fabulous menu selections, I also had great fun with the Derby Decor!  (Did I mention I LOVE a theme party??)

fresh mint plant in sugar server from my silver tea set

found this Mint Julep glass from 1981 at local flea market

champagne bucket filled with roses,  Maker's Mark Kentucky Bourbon and prize winning horse (loaned from neighbor)

my husband's high school tennis trophies…glad I held onto them all these years!

found this print of Sea Biscuit at a local flea market

foyer table with ribbons (from neighbor's horse show competitions), roses, trophies, horses, bourbon and all things Kentucky Derby!

black and white checked table covering from JoAnn's Fabrics

Bunco "High" Table with Derby themed candy: "pay day" snack size candy bars, we all hope for a pay day when we bet on the horses, right?  And root beer flavored barrels, that reminded me of Bourbon Kegs :) 

"Junior Mint Juleps (Junior Mint Candy I presented in a  mason jar with a fun printable from HWTM.com)
I tested my artistic talent free handing the jockey jerseys for the high, medium and low tables.
Cute trophies were from Oriental Trading Company-my fave party supply catalog

Living Room Table Decor

Fun free printable from hwtm.com to make the "Hot To Trot" garland and my neighbor loaned me lots of her daughter's 1st Place horse ribbons from her Horse Show Days….lucky me!

Sofa Table showcased some chic Derby Fashion!

Chocolate Horse Pops were a fun find at the Louisville Visitors' Center.   Mossy Grass was the perfect covering for the serving table (JoAnn's Fabrics)

I had just as much fun planning, decorating and cooking for this Derby-Bunco as I did once the Bunco Babes arrived and the party commenced!

Jane's enjoying her winnings on "Millionaire Row"
(I glued large sized play money to a plastic fan)

We all had fun with the "Talk Derby To Me" picture frame (easily made with photo mat and stencil)

photo props are a good ice breaker

plastic jockey hats from party store were fun photo props

me with a couple of my "Fave" Bunco Subs

I planted rose bushes in black urns and added the racing jockeys to each planter.  "Welcome Race Fans" door sign to get the Derby Party off to a great start.

Derby Races had us "rolling" with laughter!  

This "Southern Belle" didn't place in the race - ha!  should have picked the name #CaliforniaChrome!  Congrats to Kentucky Derby Winner 2014!

Jane brought extra Derby Hats for a fun Derby Fashion Show!

Kimberly's Derby Hat looked so sweet next to the Bunco Binder that I couldn't resist a photo op

My Sweet Aussie Friend aka Queen Kanga

A Derby Diva enjoying her Wine Julep

I must thank my dear Bunco Babe, Kathy, for her thoughtful gesture - although totally NOT necessary…she brought me a box of Mint Julep Truffles and discreetly hid a gift bag for me.  Finding the sweet hostess gift the next morning was a happy surprise!  (We went to see Cher in concert together and so the Burlesque video is one I'm looking forward to watching this weekend) xo