Have you ever been in the presence of someone who has the ability to float about their house when they host a party, inconspicuously ensuring that everyone is completely comfortable while chatting away, refilling wine glasses and making the whole ordeal somehow look effortless?
Meet Sandy Coughlin and her wonderful husband, Paul.
Doesn’t Paul kind of look like Bob Harper from The Biggest Loser? In person he looks a lot like him and when I asked him whether or not people tell him that a lot he said, “Yes. Either that or Brad Pitt.” Can you tell Sandy’s family is awesome? (Her daughter even serenaded us with two songs on her violin at the end of the evening!)
The Coughlin family opened their home to a group of 12 bloggers and kicked off the Harry & David trip in the perfect way. The evening felt intimate, warm and relaxing.
It was great to spend some time with Aggie who I met earlier this year when we were both on a panel for the Southeast Produce Council Conference in Tampa.
She is so sincere and warm and we laughed saying that even though we live less than two hours away from each other, we somehow have to go to Oregon to cross paths!
Aggie is the only blogger I knew from our group ahead of time and meeting so many new food and wine bloggers was one of the highlights of the evening for me. Despite long travel days, everyone was in good spirits.
Perhaps the wine helped with that a bit? 
(Thanks for sharing this picture, Aggie!)
I must also take a minute to discuss Sandy’s gorgeous backyard and fabulous autumn décor.
Her garden and backyard patio looked like they came straight out of a magazine. The best part? Sandy is a big-time bargain hunter and pointed out platter from Goodwill and dishes from the Dollar Store to me when I told her that bargain hunting is right up my alley. Sandy, can you come decorate our house for Christmas, please? 
A dinner party wouldn’t be complete without a meal and there was certainly no shortage of food at the Coughlin house. The appetizers and dinner centered around Harry & David gourmet goodies!
The raw jicama slices dipped in a Harry & David mango jalapeño jelly with cream cheese won the appetizer round for me. That dip was out of control and incredibly addicting.
Dinner itself featured mushroom leek soup, marinated salmon, pesto green beans (YUM!), macaroni and cheese and Harry & David lobster risotto that got rave reviews from around the table. We kicked off the meal with a cheers!
My dinner pictures didn’t come out very well because of the dim light, but it was quite a meal! Just when I thought I couldn’t eat anymore, it was time for dessert. There’s always room for dessert!
Our group headed inside and snuggled onto Sandy’s couch in her living room to eat Harry & David pear pumpkin pecan cake with maple ice cream. (You can find the recipe on Sandy’s blog.)
Warm cake, gooey pumpkin butter topping, creamy maple ice cream. Heaven.
My eyes are about to shut as I finish up this blog post. It’s 3:15 a.m. Ocala-time and I’m ready for BED! Can’t wait to explore the pear orchards tomorrow!
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Wow! What a beautiful back yard and looks like some magnificent eats. Glad you’re having a good time so far!
Wow what a beautiful house/setting. I don’t know that I could pull off that kind of dinner party! I would love to be in Oregon just to RUN I know the trails are beautiful there and I am sure they are incredible this time of year! Pumpkin butter icing sounds intriguing do they add anything to it? I think it may be time to go to the Goodwill if they have decorations like that!
All of the food looks amazing and the setup is absolutely beautiful!
Wow! Her backyard is absolutely stunning! I love themed dinner parties. The food looks fabulous! What an incredible opportunity! 🙂
That looks like my kind of dinner! Impressive and so beautiful. Love themed things like this. What a fun looking night. 🙂
That backyard is definitely gorgeous! I love that she got some of her plates at the dollar store and goodwill – I love a good bargain!
What a pretty party! And how great the weather was perfect for a backyard party in the fall, I’m glad you’re enjoying Oregon so far!
That looks like such a gorgeous setting for a dinner party. When I grow up, I want to be a hostess like that. 😉
the whole evening sounds amazing and I am insanely jealous of Sandy’s backyard, it does look like something straight out of a magazine!
Wow sounds like an amazing night! I am super jealous of effortless hostesses. That is not me at all.
Wow, what a great night! Being a great hostess like that is definitely a wonderful ability to have and she seems to make it look pretty effortless! I love all of the details, from the leaf plate all the way to the place card. So so cute! That cake sounds amazing too! With maple ice cream? Yum!
I truly thought backyards like that only existed in magazines 🙂
Wow, that is someone who knows how to entertain!! I think I am a pretty lousy hostess when it comes to having events at my home. I am a big stress ball and can never relax enough to enjoy it.
Oh my gosh, her yard is insane, I want that! What a great hosting job!
What a great spread your host has laid out! Yum!
That looks like such a fun evening! I am so impressed with the way everything is set up 🙂
Omg that food all looks delicious and the family sounds so nice! I love Harry and Davids!! So glad you’re enjoying yourself girly!
That looks like such a fun time!!! 🙂 I’ve never been to Oregon!
Wow! She did an amazing job! I need to become more of a bargain hunter! I totally thought that was Bob Harper when the page opened. Too funny!
WOW What a beautiful set up she did!
Maple ice cream..say whaaat
AH! I look at Sandy’s blog/have her book… she is literally the coolest. SO jealous y’all got to hang!
What amazes me the most about Sandy and her family is how often they entertain. Everything looks so beautiful and welcoming.
WOW how fun! I love that she is all about finding good stuff as deals–what a beautiful backyard & setting!
And that food sounds sooooo good!
Looks like y’all are having fun so far. Jealous of that spread!!
Their backyard table setting and decor reminds me of set of Parenthood!
What a pretty backyard!!! Those fall decorations were simply adorable 🙂 I love that she totally bargain shopped for all of that, my kinda girl 😉 Can’t wait to see more!
OMG… I love Oregon.
My fiance’s family lives near Portland and I love visiting them. It’s a nice change of weather and scenery (at least for us Floridians) 🙂
How long are you there for? If you get a chance to drive to Cannon beach (where they filmed part of the Goonies) and the Tillamook cheese factory (best cheddar cheese EVER!)
Enjoy the rest of your trip! 🙂
whoaaa that backyard looks like it’s wedding reception-ready! so beautiful 😀 And what a wonderful and fun time you guys had~the crab risotto sounds to die for.
Such a beautiful table setting and beautiful food! I aspire to be that “effortless” hostess one day, isn’t it every little girl’s dream? Not sure if I’ll ever get there..currently I run around absolutely frantic cleaning toilets and washing dishes before I have company. Eh, one day!
Wow – what a great setup! I love the table and the pumpkins in the wheelbarrow! Too cute!
I thought it was Bob Harper! I totally scanned the pics before reading!!! The cake looks and sounds divine!!!
That dessert is off the chain!!! He totally looks like Bob Harper too…being compared to either him or Brad Pitt is a pretty big compliment 😉
What a gorgeous backyard. Those apps look healthy and delicious!
Yea can I have her backyard? And her food? The dessert looks so gooood
He does look like Bob Harper! Oh, and sorry, but I have to say this since I just taught my English students this today, but last names don’t take apostrophes when pluralized. In fact, you pretty much never use an apostrophe to pluralize anything. Unless you meant “Dinner at the Coughlins’ [house]”?
Amazing! It’s so awesome to go outside of your comfort zone & meet so many new people. Anddd it helps when you have wine & incredible food 😉
You are so sweet Julie, I’m so glad we got to reconnect out here in Oregon. Dinner at Sandy’s was amazing!
What a great post, Julie! Such a fun evening and I have sure enjoyed meeting and getting to know you. Cheers!
Wow! What a woman! She has done an amazing job- love the piccies!
Those decorations are seriously adorable! 🙂 Makes me want to throw an Autumn party! 🙂
Girl, not sure why my comment didn’t come through, but it was an honor to meet you and host YOU in our home! You’re the best. Can’t wait to stay in touch … from afar! xo