How did the party go you ask? Or perhaps you’re not asking but I’m going to tell you anyway because it was fantastic! There was a great mix of friends and the only unreasonably demanding person was me, the Queen of Hearts. That was my job however and I took it seriously…well mostly seriously.
This was my first murder mystery where all of the guests dressed up and tried to stay in character, it was amazing.
Fall weather in northern Utah is iffy at best. A week or so before the party the temperature dramatically dropped and a rainstorm blew through. Oh the stress. With my decorations and activities designed for the outdoors, my already tight schedule was imploding, making me behave like the white rabbit before he disappeared down the rabbit hole. I was late! I had wanted to have the backyard decked out Thursday evening to free up my Saturday and allow time to make any necessary adjustments. Unfortunately, the unpredictability of the weather meant I had to wait until Saturday to see if Wonderland would be in the front yard (to be seen as people arrived) or in the backyard to be interacted with and it was driving me crazy.
I lucked out. The rain dissipated on Friday, allowing the lawn to dry and the temperature stayed warm enough on Saturday to allow some outdoor frivolity including a rousing game of croquet before heading inside for food and murder. Not quite as many decorations as I would have liked, but still a great deal of fun.
Giant flowers
Painting the roses red
The croquet field
Occasionally my executioner forgets it’s off with their head not off with their foot.
As the card wickets did not move around such as those in the story do, I encouraged chaos by having those who weren’t playing to interfere as much as possible with those who were. My son’s girlfriend was particularly adept at this, spreading her harassment across all the players which led to some very interesting croquet techniques. Naturally I won, heads would have rolled if I hadn’t, thanks to my husband, the king, and my trusty executioner, Ace.
The Cheshire cat insisted upon relaxing in the apple tree…
…when she wasn’t applying for Ace’s job.
Eventually we headed inside for food, drink and murder. Tea anyone?
Clue books all tied up and ready to hand out. Time to find out who is the killer among us.
It took a bit, a couple of strange turns, and lots and lots of laughter but eventually TweedleDee’s murderer was discovered and dealt with in true Wonderland style.
OFF WITH THEIR HEAD!
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