Surprise Party Success...

Well...I am happy to report that I still have a boyfriend!!!  YIPPEE!!  The surprise party that I planned for Darby's 40th was a complete success and the birthday boy enjoyed himself...thank goodness!  The best part about the night is that most of our closest family and friends were able to make it.  After all...a party is only is good as the people who are there and we had the best of the best. 

Planning the surprise party started after Christmas and began with the invitation...

Then it was a matter of planning the menu.  I wanted to be sure that EVERYTHING I served was something that I new Darb loved!!  For dessert I made Golden Oreo Truffles (his favorite store bought cookie), Red Velvet cookies and Snickers Brownies.  All of his very favorites on one tray...

I will be posting the recipes for each of the desserts over the next few weeks because if you like Snickers Bars then you have GOT.TO.MAKE those Snickers Brownies!!  Guest were literally making them selves sick from eating so many of them...definitely the hit of the night!!

I also made whiskey bottle sugar cookies to bring the invitation back into the party.  At the last minute I decided to display them in an old soda crate that I had and I have to say it was just sort of brilliant...look how cute they are in there...

For the food table I made Rotisserie Chicken & Cheese sliders (a spin on Darb's favorite sandwich), Shrimp Cocktail, Ground Beef Taquitos, Chicken and Bacon Jalapeno Poppers, a bowl of Doritos (can't plan a party for Darby with them) and my sister made a bacon and cheese dip...

The Chicken and Bacon Jalapeno Poppers were a new recipe and sometimes that makes me nervous because you never know...but they were awesome!!  The entire pan was devoured in no time flat!!  The kids even loved them.

A few gifts, a few drinks, and a ton of great conversation finished off the night just perfectly.  Now on to Reno (tomorrow) to keep the birthday celebration going.  Sweet Darb-