Oh What a Circus!

The Shed Warming Party was a great success. Although the weather wasn't quite as bad as forecast, it was quite cold and cloudy with the odd shower of rain. However, we were prepared for all eventualities! The local hotel gave us this HUGE umbrella because they no longer sell the drink it advertises so we used it to bridge the gap between the shed and the gazebo. Therefore, we all kept dry and those who wanted a warm went into the shed where welcome heat was being generated by the woodburner. One night-out, having a drink, a friend and I decided to have a loosely-based Circus theme for the party. I asked everyone to wear or bring one circus related item.

We had various circus-type equipment scattered around: A unicycle, 2 diablos, 2 sets of juggling balls and a hoola-hoop. The party theme idea was really generated from the fact that one of our friends was keen to try out my son's unicycle.

This is the view from the shed into the gazebo where we located the 'bar'.

And the view from the gazebo into the shed where I put the food. Unfortunately, I forgot to take photos of the food which I am quite disappointed about because I spent a lot of time preparing it! But I can still tell you what I made......... First we had leek and potato soup in mugs with mini bread rolls. Then everyone helped themselves from the table to the following: bowl of salad (with dressing made by DS), bowl of olives and feta, broccoli and mushroom frittata, ciabatta with goats cheese and red onion jam (made by DS), crackers with morrocon chick pea pate, plate of cold meats, more rolls and pretzels. Finally, we had scones with jam and cream or/and choc chip muffins with cream. There wasn't much left especially as a couple of DS's friends popped by later.

We all had great fun trying out the equipment (toys!) but none of us was able to master them. DS was the best at the diablo and juggling, but they were his own so he had an unfair advantage.

My attempt at the diablo. You can see I managed to get it spinning but throwing it was a complete disaster.

When I said to the guests to wear or bring one circus item, it was, to some of them, like a red rag to a bull. I had a few funny bow ties but one lion tamer (complete with 3" lion), one ringmaster and one elephant!! I couldn't resist this photo of my sister as she bent down to pick something up. In case you're wondering this is the back view and she has the 'head' of the elephant on her back like a hood.-

Later on we had a couple of party games including a circus themed game of charades followed by a prize-giving for the best costume, mastery of the equipment and best at the games (the prizes were Curly Wurlys!!)

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If it all sounds a bit like a children's party, I have to tell you that it wasn't - it was much more disorganised - and much more fun!!

My lovely friend, Jill, brought this for me. A gorgeous hook rail for the shed (in cast-iron
I think because it's quite heavy) which will come in very useful. She bought it when the party was origingally organised a month or so ago as it was my birthday. As it's Jill's birthday next week we are all meeting up again for Sunday lunch at a nearby pub for a more civilised gathering. :-)

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The only cloud over the party was that my OH hurt his back getting the garden ready! He's had a lot of trouble with his back in the past but it's been better recently. His trouble is he doesn't know when to stop or to ask for help! DS and I did help taking everything down the next day.

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(I should be able to show you the diamond patch pincushion next time. The camera battery ran out yesterday when I went to photograph it.)

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Bye for now

Teresa x

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P.S. Vintage Girl - Please let me have your postal address so I can send your goodies. Apologies if you've already let me know somehow and I didn't get it. Let me know if you need my email address.