Railroad Retirement Party

My dear friends, I never meant to be gone so long! As you might note from the title of this post, we've had a lifestyle change with Mr Delight's recent retirement and as such, I took some unplanned time off from blogging.  It is a bit of an adjustment as I'm still working full-time and wanting to spend my off-hours doing things with Mr D now that he's home but I'm also hoping to carve out some time for creating tablescapes and sharing them with you. Hopefully, I can find a balance and fit it all in.

Of course, I want to show you the backyard retirement party we had last weekend to celebrate the occasion. The set-up began with this large tent we rented to cover the tables I decorated.

Mr D was a locomotive engineer (drove trains) for CP Rail for 32 years.  Thus, the centerpieces I created reflected a railway theme.

Railroad tracks and lanterns were placed on each of the tables. Pebbles were arranged under the tracks.

Black & white checked tablecloths and burlap runners added to the look.

I created the railroad tracks by cutting the sides off this garden edging I got at the Dollar Store.

It is hard to see but I ran battery-operated mini-lights under the tracks which looked nice at night.

Here's the table arrangement under the tent. I didn't get a pic with them on but the lanterns have battery-operated LED lights in them. 
I got them locally at Home Hardware and Pharmasave.

This is the display table I set up where guests entered the backyard.

This banner I made acted as a backdrop.

Gifts were placed on a table adjacent to the display.

Mr Delight's hobbies include riding his Harley in the summer...

...and downhill skiing in the winter. These were highlighted in glass cloches at each end of the track on the table.

Appetizers were in the form of charcuterie boards 

with various cheeses and meats for guests to nibble on...

...while they waited for the Taco Bar to open.

My daughter made some yummy pinwheel tortilla rolls as well.

Beverages were kept in coolers in this area and we also had a keg of beer (not shown) from a local brewery.

Nonalcoholic drinks were served via my drink dispensers.  I made ice tea as well as pineapple mint lemonade.

This is how the Taco Bar was set up once we took away the appies.

Three crockpots held the ground beef, spanish rice and refried beans.

I kept the soft taco shells warm by placing them in a metal BBQ bowl set atop baking cooling racks in an electric fry pan filled with water.  I set the pan on low and the steam generated kept the tortillas at just the right temperature.

I placed the toppings in glass vases which showed off their colours and added to the festive look.

My mom is an expert baker and she provided the delicious squares on the dessert table. The trays were refilled often throughout the party.

She is famous around these parts for her Butter Tarts.

There were Raisin Date Squares and Triple Brownies as well.

Pecan Tarts had to be sampled as well :)

Not to mention the Lemon Squares and Choco-Nut Cookies!

And here's a look at the whole set-up in the backyard. It was an open-house type of event with approx 75 guests coming and going all evening.

The weather was pretty good although at one point, a thunder storm rolled in and we even had some hail. 

I was thankful for all the tents/canopies we'd put up.

As the evening wore on, we lit a fire in the chiminea which we had moved to the center of our yard. 

I was sorry I didn't get any pics of the yard at night but as those of you who entertain know, there comes a point where you just want to forget about everything and p-a-r-t-y! 

Yep, there was dancing too! 
Our daughter snapped this fuzzy pic which captured how I felt about Mr D's retirement :)
Let the good times roll!

(Framed sign I created for the display table)

Thanks for visiting!

I'll be linking this post to these wonderful blog parties:

Saturday Sparks on Pieced Pastimes

Share it One More Time at Everyday Home

A Bouquet of Talent  at Life on Lakeshore Drive
Sundays at Home at Love of Home
Silver Pennies Sunday at Silver Pennies

Dishing It & Digging It at Rustic & Refined
Amaze Me Mondays at Dwellings
Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

Show & Share at Coastal Charm
Celebrate Your Story at Celebrate & Decorate
Brag About It Tuesday at My Husband Has Too Many Hobbies

The Scoop at Stone Gable

Inspire Me Tuesdays at A Stroll Thru Life

Tuesday at Our Home at Our Home Away From Home

Tutorials & Tips at Home Stories A to Z

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

Swing Into Spring at DIY by Design

Share Your Style at Essence of Home

Share Your Cup at Have a Daily Cup of Mrs Olson

Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch

Grace at Home at Imparting Grace

Home Matters at Life with Lorelai

Inspiration Gallery at Craftberry Bush

Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home

Foodie Friday & Everything Else at Rattlebridge Farm

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage