Anatomy of a Wild Game Dinner

"First things first...We are truly blessed to have the means to set a pretty table and invite our friends to join us for good food and fellowship. I am mindful that many are not so fortunate. My daughter has a passion for the work of the Food Bank. As a singer-songwriter, she has written and recorded a song that is the anthem for the world wide Crop Hunger Walk project. Her song, "Raise Your Voice" is featured in their video. I've included a link in the side margin of my blog. As you consider your own philanthropic opportunities, I hope that it will encourage you to support projects in your community that contribute to the effort to overcome hunger.

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Tonight is the premier edition of Cuisine Kathleen's meme, "Let's Dish".  So excited to become a charter member.  Pop over (pun intended for the Chef Supreme Kathleen) and join the fun!

On March 9, we were one pair of 9 host couples who sponsored a wild game dinner for about 130-150 guests.  Our dinner was held in the home of one of the couples, and we gathered on the prior Thursday to set up for our party.  Have china, will travel...

Linens and silver...

Menu cards, Votives...check.

Sterling Flatware... 

...and china...

 ...Check.

Handpainted flutes for Brandy Ice Dessert...

Tablescloths... 

...more silver...

...and extra chairs...Check.  Ready to roll.

Things are unloaded, and we're ready to organize for our evening of fun.

 

Tablecloths are in place, and we've begun to place the centerpieces....this is a magnificent home for a party!

 The long breakfast room table has been moved to the dining room, and a large round table has been set up in its place.  It will hold silverware/napkins, appetizers, and breads.

I ordered the camo cocktail napkins online.  What do you think?...Camo and toile...I'm thinking that it's the new trend look for Spring.

This gorgeous loggia will be closed to the night air once the party starts...and a roaring fire will welcome more guests to dine at the tables.  They'll also be covered with the toile cloths.  There was more seating in the family room, but I didn't end up with any pics to share...sigh.

 I can't remember who made these.  One of the other hostesses provided them for our dinner.  Aren't they beautiful!

I made another run to bring back the Heron and other decoys for the tables....Check.

 Waiting for the game entrees to arrive tomorrow evening.

 Friday evening, at last. The guests will arrive in just over an hour.  The hostesses are beginning to bring in their contributions to our Wild Game Dinner.  

What a dining room!! 

 

Additional seating in the living room...

Some guests gathered on the couches and chairs to visit while dining...

Check.

The long table that you see in the center is the breakfast room table...

The three square tables are actually the dining room table.  They can be used as one long table for 16, or broken up for more intimate seating.  Each square table will seat 8 people.  This is one of my favorite ideas for a dining table...so many great options for seating guests.

We're ready for our friends to come through the door...

The office has been converted into a wet bar for the evening.

 Big Bird is ready for the fun to commence!

So many amazing Wild Game recipes.

 

   I shared my "signature salad" recipe for one of the hostesses to prepare.

Some appetizers...on the bar in the family room.

...More appetizers on the table in the breakfast room...the empty dish to the left will soon hold Duck Eggrolls.  The pedestal will be filled with bread.

The hunters thought that this was really cool....I could have lived quite well without it.

Making last minute preparations.  That's Sweet Mister across the room in his "Camo" grilling apron.  He's just finished grilling his Dove Diablo.  He makes me smile!

Italian Venison Stew was passed to guests as an appetizer...Cups and demitasse spoons were the perfect combination...Easy to eat while standing and visiting.

Sweet Mister's "Dove Diablo"...

Here's the Venison Stew.  I don't even like venison, and this was fantastic!  I asked for the recipe.

Enthusiastic guests...

...Plus hard working hostesses...and an abundance of delicious food...

My Creamy Baked Pheasant Spaghetti.

Pun intended.

What's a wild game dinner without Wild Rice...lots of Wild Rice!

Pheasant Paprikash

No one went home hungry!

The Cuban Roasted Pig was one of my favorites!  So tender and tasty.

..And the fun has begun!!

Everyone had Brandy Ice for dessert...and then we found out that one of the gentlemen guests had made and brought a double batch of incredibly delicious Bread Pudding with a delectable Brandy Sauce...

Who could resist?  There was a whole lot of "straightening the edges" going on after dinner.  Have you ever done that ?

The last of the guests left after midnight.  It was a great party, and I "napped" much of Saturday!  We all agreed that we look forward to inviting friends for another Game Dinner next year.  Let me know if you're passing through, and I'll put you on our list.

Thank you, yet again, to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for hosting her magical meme, Tablescape Thursday.  I'll be linking my post to "TABLESCAPE THURSDAY."   Hop on over and check out the myriad of marvelous tablescape designs, after 10:00 AM on Thursdays.  You'll be glad that you made the trip...it's a wonderful adventure.

When I think of March, I think of early Spring evenings that are perfect for entertaining friends with a sumptuous dinner.  How about you?  With thankfulness for her dedication and efforts, I'm joining the multi-talented Tablescaper for her fabulous meme SEASONAL SUNDAYS.  Hope to see you there!

You can check out KC's music at www.kcclifford.com, on iTunes, and on YouTube.  I hope that you'll take a few minutes and give her a listen.  You'll also enjoy reading back through her blog on this site.  The girl can really write!  Her latest CD is called "Orchid."  It is available on iTunes or through her website.  I hope that you'll give her music a chance.  I know that I have zero objectivity where she is concerned, but I think that you'll fall in love with her music and her!