• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • MEET CHRISTY & AMY
    • IF YOU’RE NEW HERE…
    • WORK WITH US
    • 11 MAGNOLIA LANE 101
    • DISCLOSURE + PRIVACY (the fine print)
    • BEST OF 11 MAGNOLIA LANE
  • TOUR OUR HOMES
    • TOUR OUR HOMES
    • CHRISTY’S MAGNOLIA COTTAGE
    • CHRISTY’S MCC HOUSE
    • Christy’s Stuttgart Flat
    • Amy’s Virginia Craftsman Home Tour
    • AMY’S VIRGINIA CRAFTSMAN Building Process
    • HOLIDAY HOME TOUR SERIES
  • CELEBRATIONS
    • EVENTS + ENTERTAINING
    • GIFTS
    • HOLIDAYS
    • RECIPES
  • HOME
    • CLEANING
    • DECORATING
    • ORGANIZING
    • ROOM BY ROOM
      • BATHROOMS
      • BEDROOMS
      • CLOSETS
      • CRAFT ROOMS + OFFICES
      • DINING ROOMS
      • KIDS’ ROOMS
      • KITCHENS
      • LAUNDRY ROOMS
      • LIVING + GREAT ROOMS
      • OTHER SPACES
      • PANTRIES
      • PLAYROOMS + BONUS ROOMS
      • PORCHES + OUTDOOR SPACES
    • TIPS
  • SHOP
    • SHOP OUR INSTAGRAM
    • SHOP OUR AMAZON STORE
    • FRIDAY FAVORITE FINDS
  • PROJECTS
    • CRAFTS
    • DIY PROJECTS + TUTORIALS
    • FURNITURE
    • PRINTABLES
    • WINDOWS, DOORS, + WALLS
  • LIFE
    • FRIDAY FREE FOR ALL
    • HEALTH
    • SIMPLY ON SUNDAY
  • TRAVEL
  • CONTACT
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

11 Magnolia Lane

Sharing our easy DIYs, decorating, entertaining and more!

Friday Free For All–Retirement Party

July 8, 2016 By Christy 5 Comments

This Post Contains Affiliate Links

101 shares

Army retirement

We’ve had three good friends retire from the Army so far this summer; these are always bittersweet events for everyone involved.  It’s a loss to the entire nation when we don’t retain mature officers and soldiers, but of course they’re entitled to a well-deserved break from years of deployments and family separations.  Many of them are getting to actually CHOOSE where to live for the first time in their careers (I’m so jealous!) and are able to stabilize their children for those last important years of high school.

We headed down to Savannah over Memorial Day weekend to celebrate Scott’s retirement with family and friends.  Scott and Becky lived next door to us when we were stationed in Savannah and they are some of our favorite people in the entire universe, so of course we had to be there for this big event.  Because they’re from Texas and never do anything small, they were also celebrating their son’s high school graduation that weekend (go big or go home!), so Becky planned a party to honor both of them.

Taven had already left the hangar to get ready for his graduation ceremony, so this is everyone but him.  My son cannot take a normal picture but I’m hoping this will pass with the teenage years. 🙂

retirement-families

|  Annabelle’s Lilly dress  |

I helped Becky set up for the party.  She and I share a love of decorating and entertaining; it was so fun when we lived next to each other and could borrow each others’ decorations and serving pieces.  I brought a carload of stuff with me, as did our friend, Mary, who drove down from Tennessee.

Graduation and retirement party in Savannah | 11 Magnolia Lane

|  Happy Retirement Banner (similar)  |

It was a pretty miserable weekend, weather-wise, but the rain held off long enough that we could keep most of the guests outside.  Cornhole is an integral part of all Army celebrations, and tonight was no exception:

Graduation and retirement party in Savannah | 11 Magnolia Lane

My husband served as bartender and mixed his famous mojitos {that recipe is here} for several hundred guests.  I ran for ice and limes and served as his bar-back, although he didn’t share his tips with me!

Graduation and retirement party in Savannah | 11 Magnolia Lane

|  Black and white paper straws  |  Grad napkins: HomeGoods  |  Galvanized metal tray  |

As someone whose sugar cookies always turn out looking like “Pinterest fails,” I can’t help but be impressed with these gorgeous Army and graduation-themed sweets.  Becky’s sister ordered them in Texas and carried them to Savannah on her lap.

Graduation and retirement party in Savannah | 11 Magnolia Lane

| Galvanized 3-tier stand  | Apothecary jars: HomeGoods  |

They had Zunzi’s cater the meal–if you go to Savannah, you MUST grab a sandwich there, and be sure to ask them to put their “Sh*t-yeah” sauce on it.  It might have a less profane name, but I’m not aware of it.

My chip rack made an appearance because everyone loves the chip rack.  At least, those of us with a touch of OCD love the chip rack.  Everyone else is just a hater.

Graduation and retirement party in Savannah | 11 Magnolia Lane

| Chip rack |

We used lengths of burlap to cover the table; it paired well with the rustic look of the galvanized serving pieces.

Graduation and retirement party in Savannah | 11 Magnolia Lane

| Wood lanterns here and here  |

Graduation and retirement party in Savannah | 11 Magnolia Lane

It was such a fun weekend, and a fitting send off for our friends!

Folks in Savannah know how to throw a party; you can read more of my Savannah posts {here}.

Our posts contain affiliate links.  If you make a purchase after clicking on these links, we will earn a small commission, which helps to keep our content free.  You don’t pay a cent more than you would otherwise, since that would be tacky! Read our full disclosure policy here.
 

Enjoy your day, and thanks for stopping by!
 

Final New Christy headshot 2015

 

icon-facebook-1icon-instagram-1icon-pinterest-1icon-twitter-1NEW Google+
 

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE THESE POSTS... :

Festive Holiday Fashion - Outfit Ideas
Twilight Polo
The Coastal Grandmother Trend
Our Favorite Ideas + Recipes for Outdoor Ente...

Filed Under: Entertaining/Events, Friday Free For All Tagged With: Army, entertaining, graduation, party, retirement, savannah

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Pat says

    July 8, 2016 at 1:18 pm

    Fun times! Do you know who made the cookies here in Texas? 🙂 They’re really amazing! All the decor is just perfect and their yard is gorgeous. I know it was a great party! Yes, we need the maturity of these officers but, as you stated, they need a break. I so appreciate their sacrifices and service!

    Have they “chosen” their new home destination? How exciting!
    xo
    Pat

    Reply
    • Christy says

      July 12, 2016 at 2:59 pm

      Thanks, Pat! They are going to stay in Savannah–their daughter is going to be a senior this year so she gets to finish high school in the same place, too. I’ll let you know if I can track down the name of the cookie lady. They were so cute!

      Reply
  2. Rebecca Purdie says

    July 8, 2016 at 3:45 pm

    I so appreciate the men and women who serve and protect our country. My husband served in the air force for 4 years.
    We r having Purdie’S on the Patio tomorrow evening. 16 friends. Nothing fancy light finger foods and drinks. Minimum décor. Clear plates etc. Cream paper napkins monogram black with the letter P. Any suggestions?
    Glad you had a wonderful time in Savannah.

    Reply
    • Christy says

      July 12, 2016 at 3:00 pm

      I’m so sorry, Rebecca–I’m just now seeing this. 🙁 I have no doubt that your get together was wonderful and beautiful! Simple is always best when it comes to these things.

      Thanks to your husband for his service!
      Christy

      Reply
  3. Julie says

    July 8, 2016 at 9:46 pm

    Chip Rack Hater, LOL.
    and those cookies, to die for!!!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Lowest prices. Straight Teeth,

•Don’t Miss A Thing!!•

•Do You Know Jesus?•

•Featured In•

Holiday Gift Ideas

Footer

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Copyright © 2023 · 11 Magnolia Lane· Blog Design by Little Blue Deer
Privacy Policy

11 MAGNOLIA LANE IS A PARTICIPANT IN THE AMAZON SERVICES LLC ASSOCIATES PROGRAM, AN AFFILIATE ADVERTISING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A MEANS FOR US TO EARN ADVERTISING FEES BY ADVERTISING AND LINKING TO AMAZON.COM AND AFFILIATED SITES. AS AN AMAZON ASSOCIATE, WE EARN FROM QUALIFYING PURCHASES. WE ALSO PARTICIPATE IN SEVERAL OTHER AFFILIATE PROGRAMS; THIS INCOME ALLOWS US TO MAINTAIN THE QUALITY OF YOUR USER EXPERIENCE AND KEEPS OUR CONTENT FREE. WHEN YOU PURCHASE THROUGH ANY OF OUR AFFILIATE LINKS, WE EARN A SMALL COMMISSION AND YOU DON’T PAY A CENT MORE THAN YOU WOULD OTHERWISE; THAT WOULD BE TACKY!   READ OUR FULL PRIVACY AND DISCLOSURE POLICY {HERE}.
  ©11 Magnolia Lane 2019. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s authors and/or owners is strictly prohibited. Please email us at admin@11magnolialane.com for more information.

  • MEET CHRISTY & AMY
    • IF YOU’RE NEW HERE…
    • WORK WITH US
    • 11 MAGNOLIA LANE 101
    • DISCLOSURE + PRIVACY (the fine print)
    • BEST OF 11 MAGNOLIA LANE
    • Back
  • TOUR OUR HOMES
    • TOUR OUR HOMES
    • CHRISTY’S MAGNOLIA COTTAGE
    • CHRISTY’S MCC HOUSE
    • AMY’S NEW HOME BUILD
    • HOLIDAY HOME TOUR SERIES
    • SPRING HOME TOUR SERIES
    • Back
  • CELEBRATIONS
    • EVENTS + ENTERTAINING
    • GIFTS
    • HOLIDAYS
    • RECIPES
    • Back
  • HOME
    • CLEANING
    • DECORATING
    • ORGANIZING
    • ROOM BY ROOM
      • BATHROOMS
      • BEDROOMS
      • CLOSETS
      • CRAFT ROOMS + OFFICES
      • DINING ROOMS
      • KIDS’ ROOMS
      • KITCHENS
      • LAUNDRY ROOMS
      • LIVING + GREAT ROOMS
      • OTHER SPACES
      • PANTRIES
      • PLAYROOMS + BONUS ROOMS
      • PORCHES + OUTDOOR SPACES
      • Back
    • TIPS
    • Back
  • SHOP
    • SHOP OUR INSTAGRAM
    • SHOP OUR AMAZON STORE
    • FRIDAY FAVORITE FINDS
    • 11 ML ETSY SHOP
    • 11ML ORGANIZING SHOP
    • Back
  • PROJECTS
    • CRAFTS
    • DIY PROJECTS + TUTORIALS
    • FURNITURE
    • PRINTABLES
    • WINDOWS, DOORS, + WALLS
    • Back
  • LIFE
    • FRIDAY FREE FOR ALL
    • HEALTH
    • SIMPLY ON SUNDAY
    • TRAVEL
    • Back
  • CONTACT
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
101 shares