Monday, January 10, 2011

When you can't get a fog machine, distract them with pizza!

It works just as well.

When our guests arrived, I told them, "Gosh, sorry, can't look around right now...can't do anything...run, run, RUN to the backyard! We have pizza! It's baking as we speak! No, no, don't put your purse down...no, NO, NO! Don't look at me! Run! RUN!"



"We are jet-lagged!" They cried! "We need a bathroom!" they moaned.

"No, NO! Come outside, quick!" I told them.






"Sit still," they said, "Let me look at you!"

"Quick, quick! See the bonfire!"



And then, when they were all full and happy, I let them go in to use the bathroom. I kept the lights in the house dim. They thought everything was wonderful!

And, actually, it was! We made some killer pizzas...one of the favorites being carmelized onions in creme fraiche with crumbled bacon! ooooh....awwwwww...

OK. I let them use the bathroom and all that stuff before I dragged them outside...AND we had a great time...AND they didn't gasp in horror when they saw me or the condition of my house...

So I guess I might have been kinda/sorta worrying for nothing...

And when I looked at these pictures and saw that Mr. Jenny took hardly any of all the people there he said to me, "Did you taste the pizza? I was busy eating!!!!"

So this is all you get to see...

Except...these four sweet little girls getting cheerio crumbs in our bed...





And this brief visit from an un-named Boise State celebrity player...


See? I told you you shouldn't worry about old friends you haven't seen in years visiting! Next time don't get yourself all stressed out, OK?

Just relax, enjoy...and fire up your wood-fired oven! It distracts them every time!

Sigh...

PS. If you missed the fog machine post and feel all out of the loop and everything, you can read it by clicking here.

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43 comments:

Paula ~ castleandcottagesigns said...

Ha! good food always does the trick! Do we get the recipe for this pizza?? it sounds awesome!

Unknown said...

Pizza is magical my friend! You're the 2nd person in as many days to mention carmelized onion pizza...going to have to do that the next time we have pizza night!

Theresa said...

Looks like LOADS of fun at the pizza party and I know everyone had a great time! No fog, no problem:) Have a blessed day dear Jenny! HUGS!

noexcuses said...

What a treat for them to be watered and fed the minute they arrived. I'll bet everyone slept well!

Great pictures! The girls are darling!

The house? Fagettaboutit!

Julie Kwiatkowski Schuler said...

It looks like a great party!

Kat said...

Good food, good friends, good times! Sounds like everyone had a wonderful time. Now don't you feel silly for worrying about all the "extra" nonsense? And that pizza sounds amazing, can't go wrong with caramelized onions. And you had me at bacon crumbles.... Kat

Deb said...

food and fire always does the trick....why do we worry so much?

Kim Lehnhoff said...

Loved ones don't care about the state of disarray your house is in (real or imagined) - relax and enjoy!

Personalized Sketches and Sentiments said...

haha! Love the feel of this post...I felt like running to my backyard! actually...seriously...reading what you wrote made me feel like running around in excitement! haha Sounds like a wonderful time! Love the photos that were taken (between the pizza eating).

Agh! I am supposed to be out the door for work! But wanted to take a peek at what you were up too!

Blessings & Aloha!
You look marvelous, by the way...the glow of the fire pit and pizza is very flattering :o)

H said...

A stomach full of tasty food has an amazing way of making people see the good in everything.

Willoughby said...

I missed the original post, so I clicked your link and read it. Now I understand the fog machine!

It's true that friends and family really don't care what you or house look like, they're just happy to spend time with you. That being said, I totally understand how you feel. I'm a fanatic about my house being extra, super-duper clean if company is coming.

It looks like everyone at the party had a great time! I love the pic of the girls, just adorable!

And now, I want to know everything about your pizza oven! My husband and I have been planning an outdoor kitchen for our backyard and we're thinking about including a wood fired pizza oven.

Busy Bee Suz said...

I am so happy that your visit went well!
Love those cheerio messy kids in the bed; SO CUTE!

Pondside said...

Everyone looks like they're having a grand time - and that pizza is amazing. Please check your calendar and let me know when you'll be firing up the oven again and I'll be right down.

Unknown said...

MMMmmmmm that pizza sounds so yum!!! Do you and Mr. Jenny do delivery? Glad you had fun with your friends!

Lorrie said...

OOh, your pizza bake sounds delectable, and fun, and the PERFECT diversion.

Bits-n-Pieces said...

Man, do you know how to entertain your guests or what?? I think I may just have to pop in sometime for a visit!! lol
xoox

Deborah said...

Aahh the old diversion tactic! LOL ... I'd be certainly have been distracted with those pizzas ... mmmm :o)

Susan Anderson said...

I think going to your house sounds like lots of fun.

=)

Susan said...

Darn, I just sent you my fog machine. {:o)
Looks like a fun time was had by all.
susan

Jo said...

oh that pizza does sound totally delish, what a great distraction! who needs a fog machine when you have a cozy fire, great food and great company!

MrsJenB said...

I just laughed so hard at the mental image of you throwing sand in your guests' eyes! You are so funny!

That pizza sounds amazing - how jealous am I that you have a wood fire oven???

Sue said...

I have found that as long as you feed people...they don't care about anything else. Not to say that I don't get nuts when company is coming, but after...I always wonder why I was so worried about it. Much like many thinkgs in my life!

Hope all is well with you!

Tracy said...

Hah, isn't food a lovely distraction? Your girls are too adorable! those reddish hues of their hair are beautiful!
When loved ones come, there is NO worry; they love you regardless!

Terra said...

I am glad you had such a great time, and I want Pizza if I ever get to come over.

The Words Crafter said...

Distract them with food. I gotta remember that one. See, it's a rule around here. When the house is clean, tumbleweeds meander down the street.

When I've missed a few days (a week), everyone and their dog shows up!!!

Loved all the pics!

Amy said...

So, when are you going to invite me over? I am so glad it turned out well. Your grands are beautiful, and it looks like you had quite a weekend!

LuLu Kellogg said...

Oh Jenny...those kids are just adorable!!

I especially loved the pic of YOU with your beautiful smile!!!

xoxo

Marlene said...

Mmm....pizza!

DIYbyDesign said...

Pizza always does the trick. Thanks so much for stopping by and for your kind comments. I really appreciate it.

Anonymous said...

Oh, sweet Jenny how funny you are. See I told you all was gong to be just fine. Those pizzas look and sound yummy. Love all the pictures and your post is super. Hugs

Melinda said...

It IS amazing how stressed we can make ourselves when we entertain.
Looks like EVERYONE is having a great time and the pizzas look delish!

Melinda and 5" of SNOW!!!!!

Stef said...

Oh my heck, that pizza looks good. That is the kind of pizza that you can hold it for. Love it. Very cute kids!

21 Wits said...

Oh my that pizza looked soooo good I think I could smell it all the way here! Amazing what a bonfire and yummy food can do to distract! Funny stuff!

Gattina said...

Wow ! that must have been good and in such a nice company ! I think the dirt you only see yourself, the others don't care, it's not their dirt either and they are no health inspectors, lol !

Debbiedoos said...

If the food was good then that was their focus! So nice to pop over here Miss Jenny. Me bad, it's been a while...but you are always on my blog roll....Hope all is well. The pizza did look great, and carmelized onions are the best.

"Cottage By The Sea" said...

I LOVE pizza parties! That reminds me, I'm over due for one. Maybe tonight, I'll get all impromptu and throw one. My husband keeps saying I need to be more spontaneous and go with the flow. So no worries! Just fun like you had! If you can do it maybe I can do it! Thanks for the advise Jenny.

Unknown said...

Were those magnificent-looking pizzas followed by s'mores? And did you have a gluten-free version for yourself?

Unknown said...

Were those magnificent-looking pizzas followed by s'mores? And did you have a gluten-free version for yourself?

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

You are sooooooooo smart! Who wouldn't be distracted by those yummmy pizzas?!? Oh and you're cute too. As well as smart.

Can't believe you are out back, in Jan. I know, different area of the country. :-)

Gentle winter hugs...

Marie said...

That pizza sounds wonderful! I'm glad you all had a wonderful time!!

I'm finally getting my blog restarted and catching up with everyone that left comments before I took that very long break :-)

My new blog is at http://www.bonkersinbarnhart.com

Hugs!

Bonnie said...

They didn't gasp in horror?? Imagine that!

You lost me at wood fired pizza and carmelized onions.....yum yum!!!!!

Gattina said...

I wanted to show you a crazy dad, (my son) with Toby my grandchild but you don't see very much, lol !

Gattina said...

here is the link

http://gattinawritercramps.blogspot.com/2011/01/wordless-wednesday_12.html