I love having parties. I really do. There’s something special about gathering people together, sharing food, laughter, and a little bit of chaos. But I’ll be honest—now that I’m getting older, pulling it all together isn’t quite as easy as it used to be. Still… it was Cinco de Mayo, and there was no way I was letting that pass without a celebration!

We invited about 18 people, and around 15 showed up—perfect in my book. Not too crowded, but just enough to make things lively. We all gathered out in the carport, which turned out to be the perfect spot. There’s something about being outside, even under a simple covering, that makes everything feel more relaxed and festive.

🌮 The Food (Oh, the Food!)

I started cooking the day before because I knew I’d never survive doing it all in one day. The star of the show? The Pioneer Woman’s Taco Casserole. Let me tell you—it was a hit! Easy to make, not complicated, and full of flavor. That’s my kind of recipe these days.

To round things out:

• Chicken enchiladas (thank you, Costco!)
• Mexican rice from WinCo (delicious and easy)
• Mexican pizza, taco salad, taquitos, and snacks brought by neighbors
• Chips and dip galore (because you can never have too many)

And dessert? Well… let’s just say I completely forgot about it 😄
Thank goodness Annemarie showed up with cupcakes—crisis averted!

🎶 Music & (Lack of) Dancing

I spent some time putting together a playlist on Spotify with a mix of Mexican and “Mexican-ish” music. Yes, Margaritaville made the cut—and honestly, it fit right in.

Now, I had visions of people dancing, maybe a little swaying, at least a toe tap or two…

Nope.

Not a single dancer in the group—except me.
I might need new friends. 😂

💬 Good Company

Even without dancing, the energy was wonderful. Conversations flowed easily, laughter came often, and everyone seemed genuinely happy to be there. That’s really what matters, isn’t it?

🐦 A Surprise Guest… or Two!

But the best part of the day? Oh, this was something special.

Our hummingbird—Mamma Hummy—chose one of our outdoor carport lights to build her nest. Not exactly the safest or quietest place, especially with us sitting out there all the time. For a while, she stayed away whenever we were outside.

But on this day… she didn’t have a choice.

Her babies were hatching!

We couldn’t see much since the nest is pretty high up, but we did catch a glimpse of at least one tiny head bobbing up and down. It was such a sweet and unexpected moment—like nature decided to join the party.

🌅 Winding Down

By around 6:00pm, the party started winding down. Early, yes—but remember, we live in a 55+ community. People get tired.

Not me, of course… even if my back was trying to tell a different story.

Later that evening, after finally sitting down for a bit, I got up and—oh boy—was I sore! Maybe it was a good thing the party ended when it did.

🥡 The Leftover Situation

And the food? Let’s just say we could’ve fed another party.

We even had a few friends come back the next night to help us tackle the leftovers… and somehow, we still have more!

💭 Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, it was everything I hoped for:

• Good food
• Good friends
• A few laughs
• And a little unexpected magic

Yes, it took more effort than it used to. Yes, I felt it the next day (and maybe the day after that too). But was it worth it?

Absolutely.

❓ What About You?

Do you enjoy parties?
Do you like hosting them, or would you rather just show up and enjoy?

I’d love to hear your thoughts—because who knows… maybe I’ll get some ideas for the next one! 🎈