Laissez les bon temps roulez

Don't let the gator get 'cha!

Let the good times roll.  Well the Bayou BBQ gathering we planned was a success, and the best part?   We had perfect (well nearly perfect) weather.  It rained all week, and Saturday was the only day forecast to break with some sun.  This time the predictions were accurate, thank heaven.  

So here's how the entertainment and cuisine panned out from my original notes:

Cajun cuisine

The menu included Grilled Cajun Shrimp, Stuffed Tomatoes, Fresh Fruit Salad, Cajun Burgers, Bacon Wrapped BBQ Chicken, Asparagus Potato Salad, and Corn on the Cob. 

Bacon wrapped BBQ chicken, grilled then warmed in slow cooker. 

Swamp water (Limeaid, ginger ale, lime sherbert, vodka)

Setting the scene

My outdoor colors are aqua, so I injected colors that included:  swamp green, black wrought iron, and tan burlap.  I had lanterns and candlesticks and curtains for the trellis.  I purchased burlap to use as table covers and stamped a fleur-de-lis pattern on the corners to give them a bit of Bourbon Street flair.  I added Spanish moss to the chandelier, and used moss and black river rocks to give the whole centerpiece a swamp-like feel. One of our new additions to the garden this spring was a recycled lattice that I decorated with tin signs.  While not specifically for the party, it gives the feeling of a backwater gin joint doesn't it? 

Inexpensive burlap, a stamp and some paint... and you've got decorations. 

The Spanish moss dangling from everything made it feel swampy.

Wrought iron, burlap and swamp green.  

The black lanterns really give it a Bourbon Street feel.  

I just love this trellis - recycled from scrap lattice.  

Watch for gators

What’s a Bayou without a few alligators?  Alligators are harder to come by in Wisconsin than you think.  Thank heaven for Amazon.  A bit campy, but fun. 

Amazon store $10.  Cute as a button.

Best to warn guests of gators...

Bonfire

Fortunately we live remotely where we’re able to have a bonfire.  As the evening was cool, the fire felt good.  It’s officially “summer” when you spend the evening staring into the embers of a log fire. 

Summer's first official bonfire.

Lanterns

Not in the original plan, but a gift brought over with a friend.  It’s fun to see these lanterns light up the night sky.  With so many people lighting these off recently, I’m surprise we have not seen more evidence of their bi-products, dangling from trees?  Ah... Elle est ce qu'elle est.  (It is what it is.) Bon soir. 

Lanterns are today's message in a bottle... what shores do they find themselves adrift upon?