Since we settled into our home, Ben had the idea for quite some time that he wanted to have an acoustic get together at the house with all the musicians he knew. As we looked at the never-ending list of musicians, we decided to shoot for a smaller party for his birthday with 20 (so we planned) or so (which means, double that) friends/family/musicians. After sending out the invites, we prepped the house by moving around furniture, setting up the drums in the living room and planning the feast that would be included. Without a doubt, we knew this celebration called for the snare drum cake that he has wanted for so many years which would feed a large quantity.
We baked the cake Thursday, decorated it Friday and cooked all the food Saturday. Our dearest friend, Sarah, came over to help us prepare for the night of complete choas shindig. From shopping for bulk finger foods at Sam’s, creating a homemade photobooth complete with fun props (glasses, hats, leis, masks, etc.) and cooking for hours before the first guest arrived, she stuck by our side like a champ, mustache and all.
The guests began arriving at 5, and the house began to fill quickly. Jada Bell, our weenie dog, greeted each guest with a get out of my home vicious bark and growl which led us to keeping her in the bedroom to keep the scardey cats company and the guests from tucking tails and running. The temperature began to rise and the count kept increasing. I began to pray for a loaves and fishes miracle with the food and the size of our home. Before you knew it, there were 38 bodies (more guests than our wedding) packed like sardines in our kitchen, dining room and living room complete with numerous guitars, bass, drums, accordion and wind piano (which I’ve designated to call the unfamiliar contraption). The musicians took their seats and the tunes began to flow. What began as an acoustic idea quickly evolved into a PA hooked up in the house. During a music break, the house broke out in song, singing Happy Birthday to the man of the evening, followed by the cutting of the cake. (see cake below)
As the night went on, the decibels went up. I began to anticipate a knock at the front door by an angry neighbor or a stern policeman ready to pull the plug (luckily, never happened). Instead, I focused my attention on the leaves that were being tracked into the house that made our dining room look like a campsite complete with wild indians. Having to fight the homeowner/wife instinct of cleaning up after everyone, I just rubbed my ‘stache, took a deep breath, smiled and enjoyed the evening. A few of the guests left around 10 or so, one being the singer, Garrett, with the PA. He told me he could leave it there, but I assured him I had no problem at all watching it go out the back door in hopes that the original “acoustic” idea would satisfy the remaining guests. The party continued as we grew tired. Finally around midnight, we called it an evening. The tunes were a hit, the food was eaten, the cake was plentiful, the photobooth created nonstop laughs and the pictures/videos will remain a lovely keepsake for the years to come. Now, we’ll need the next year to try and talk ourselves into doing it again.
See pictures below of the eventful evening:
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houseofrossco 