I wanted to share my Mother’s Day with friends who live far away from their mothers, or whose mothers passed away already (mine died when I was seventeen), mothers whose children live across the country and couldn’t celebrate with them, or aunties like me who don’t have children of their own but have spent time spoiling and nurturing nieces and nephews.
It so happened that several of us were also looking forward to the premiere episode of “Little Women” on PBS’s Masterpiece Theater which would air that night too. The local weather forecast promised eighty degree sunny weather, so I had hopes of entertaining in my backyard for the first time this year. We agreed on a potluck dinner (so much easier for me as the hostess! I was relieved!)
I thought it would be nice to surprise my guests with party favors they could take home. I hadn’t had anything in mind until I happened to walk by the Sugarfina store at Bellevue Square. Their baby blue Bento Box full of sugary treats caught my eye – a bit of a splurge, but why not treat my friends to a lavish surprise on what can be a difficult holiday for many women?
I set up a little table in the backyard, putting out my chilled white wines from Woodinville tasting rooms just before guests arrived. I didn’t want to fuss with ice buckets, knowing this crowd would drink up the wine before it could get too warm!
With twenty assorted little darling boxes of candies, each guest could choose two to take home with her. However, these generous spirits tended to open up their boxes and pass them around the circle, so everybody could try more than two flavors.
I served a 2014 Lightning white wine from Airfield Estates, and Cougar Crest’s delicious 2016 Viognier. For these special guests, I broke out my cherished antique blue Fostoria Versailles goblets.
I also set out a Riesling from Trust Cellars, and though I was reluctant to share it (due to deliciousness), Cave B Estate Winery’s 2016 Roussanne. I’d thought to start off the evening (still 80 degrees when guests arrived at 6pm) with white wines, and move our way into the reds when the outside air cooled off a bit and when we went in to dinner.
Sugarfina candies are available via their website or on eBay.
-Carrie
