We had another Cocktails last weekend, and I have learned a few more things about entertaining:

1. Buy a tablecloth for a table. So glad I did. It was vinyl, but after the party, I wiped off the chocolate and red wine, folded it up, and there was no damage done to our lovely Ikea Bjursta table.
2. Don't make boiled peanuts in a small, badly-ventilated area. Not only did the pot try to explode, our place now smells gross. Like burnt boiled peanuts. Not good.
3. Make drinks with liquor you actually like. Apparently, I do not like Jim Beam, even when it's masked by sweet tea. Now we have a giant bottle of it left. Ew.
4. Recruit friends for help the day of. The Saz came for the weekend, and peeling 250 shrimp would not have been as much fun without her! Cristin came over early and helped set things up. Love my friends!
5. Try the recipes yourself before you make them for a giant crowd. Our beer-broiled shrimp tasted beer-less. I def could have tried that before. Everyone ate them, but I was a little disappointed.
6. Tell people how to eat boiled peanuts. If you don't, people might end up eating the shell and all (ahem…Julie)!
7. It's hard to be the host! I tried to spend time with everyone, and hopefully I did. If I didn't talk to you, I apologize! I meant to, but I'm still getting the hang of this hosting-25-people-at-our-house-thing.
8. One of the best parts of the party is recapping the party after it's over.

Here are a few pics:

Giant mess. Thanks, boiled peanuts.

 Pre-party table.

The Kell(e)y's

A reunited Fantastic Four. Now we've gotta convince one of them to move back!