Fantasic 40’s Style Summer Party

Choosing an era as a theme for a party is a great idea. Not only is it fun doing research and learning about this time in our history, but guests really enjoy dressing up and reliving an era that has given way to new traditions and styles.

This old fashioned Garden Party was a blast.

There’s always lots of yard work and party prep. It’s a good thing I have this strong crew to help out with lugging heavy tables and hanging lanterns high in trees!

And my momma was always ready to be my mobile ladder. She also spotted me to make sure I didn’t fall. Such a sweetheart.

My big sis, Mitchie, and I are always partners in crime! For decorations we made our usual banners and other cute things made of paper. These are great because you can customize them to your theme, make them unique so they don’t look like everyone else’s decor, and they are easy to store for next time!

The Cricut machine comes in handy for making these decorations for every party. This time we cut out cute butterflies and pinwheels. We also made paper cones to help guests carry around kettle corn and other snacks.

Mitchie made these posters that displayed interesting historical facts about the 1940’s and about the year my mom was born, 1926. We hung lots of cute photos of Granny with family, animals and friends

Fresh flowers from the yard are the best decoration. I absolutely love hydrangeas and they grow so easily here in Oregon.

We had pudding cup desserts labeled, “Older Than Dirt! My mom had a sense of humor!

Momma looked adorable in her 1940’s style hat

The guests all looked 40’s Festive!

The animals always attend the parties. Coco and Shanny, our old dogs, got worn out from all the excitement during party prep, so they weren’t much fun.

During the party, our chicken, Pokey-Dot, decided to take a dust bath. Some of my guests rushed to me, concerned that something was wrong with her. Pokey’s dust baths can look similar to chicken convulsions! I assured them she was just trying to get all pretty for the party!

Croquet and lawn bowling were a hit. It got even more fun after some spiked punch!

The cousins displayed their mad skills!

The goats are always popular. Butch and Sundance are quite friendly.

Buck and Jude had a good visit with Sunny.

For this party I decided that, to go along with the 40’s theme, we would sing the song, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, but I changed the words to make it about my mom, the birthday girl! I handed out the lyrics, we stood up on the deck with microphones in hand and all the guests gathered around Granny below and joined in.

Chloe, Garret, Gavin and Nate rehearsed the song and performed like champs! Oh these adorable kids!

Cruisin’, Sassy, Cutie

Sung to the tune of Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy

She was a famous little cutie out the OC way
She had a sassy style like no one else, I’d say
She was a genius in her chair
And way back when she danced like
That famous guy, Fred Astaire
 
Well she is 90 now
A freaking prodigy
She’s the cruising sassy cutie out in Oregon C
 
She’s always loved her goats and so she has some now
And on a sunny day you’ll find her feeding the cows
And that St. Francis is her Saint
Those cats, canaries and dogs and chickens all share her place
And you’ll see Davey jump
When she says, “water my trees”
 
She’s the cruising sassy cutie out in Oregon C
 
A root -a toot- a rootily otta toot
She grows dahlias and peas
Out in her garden
She saves all her pots
And, oh, she even grows Pot
It’s legal….Whoopie
 
She’ll run you over if
You try to slow her speed
 
She’s the cruising sassy cutie out in Oregon C
 
She is one cruising sassy cutie out in Oregon C!!!!

WWII hit Originally performed by the Andrews Sisters
New lyrics by Momma Jill

She loved it! She said we never ceased to amaze her with our creativity!

Side note…Granny made CBD ointment from marijuana leaves for her shoulder pain which actually helped quite a bit. It had no psychoactive effects it was just very helpful when rubbed on her shoulders. Anyway… that’s why she grew pot…

We adored my mom. Celebrating her was always so much fun.

This big Summer party wore her out a bit but she said it was always such a joy to see the people she loved all together. She was very social and had lots of stories to tell. Her kids had heard the stories many times over, but my friends were always so intrigued by the stories she told and the amazing adventures she had in life.

My friend, Lana in particular, would sit and listen to Granny’s stories for hours. I told Lana how much I appreciated that because my mom had so much fun telling stories. Lana said that she loved her stories and she was not just being polite…she really enjoyed my momma’s company. This always touched my heart.

Clean-up is loads of fun after weeks of prep, last minute decorating, cleaning and hours of party socializing!

NOT…cleaning up is the worst. We usually leave some for the next day. We’re much too tired to get ‘er done the night of the party!

Sometimes the best times are when the party is over,

You leave the mess and you all unwind and chat about the amazing day, around a bonfire.

I’m so happy that we all took the time to celebrate my mom extravagantly for the last few years of her life. And I so appreciate family and friends making the trip to Oregon, which isn’t always easy. We have such great memories of these times.

I have lots more party themes to share so keep checking back on the blog. This upcoming Summer party is going to be Pirate themed. Last Summer was a Rubber Ducky Regatta. I’ll write about that one soon! If you haven’t read about the Mad Hatter Tea Party, Click here!

Honoring the people you love is always worth the effort. Don’t forget to do this with your Loves.

Celebrate, My Sweet Friends! xoxo Jill