Garden Party 2008 Part IV

Our place for dessert. I used silver, white and black on the table. The placecards were black mosaic frames that I added photos of other good times with our friends. We had a tent with corner shelves over the table and in the corners I made vignettes using past party pictues in silver frames, roses and anything silver I could find.



Dessert is all about the lighting because by the time we get to dessert it is dark. I had a used chandelier from the thrift store, spray painted it silver, added candles and fresh roses and ivy. I used a black and silver lamp(from our bedroom) in the center of the table for a soft light. And lots of candle light too.


I am sorry that I didn't photograph the food but I was busy at this point. I thought the cake was good, it is very light and creamy. I'll post the recipe sometime soon and for the pineapple too.

Garden Party 2008 Part III

Next stop, main course at Mark and Karen's place. They have a covered porch that everytime I set my foot on it, I covet it. Her table was so creative and pretty and detailed. Driftwood, sea grasses, beach glass, shells, so pretty.

Starfish butter pats for the cloverleaf rolls.

My spot.

The party crashers- Max and Braden- they followed us to our house next. Just couldn't lose those guys.

Have you ever had beef tenderloin stuffed with lobster? Hah hah hah, I have! With mushroom tumble...oh my! Every single bite was delicious. Grilled potatoes with the a yummy topping of creme fraise and the sea salt and fresh ground pepper at each place setting in an open shell. The details, oh my!

Garden Party 2008 Part II

Upon our arrival at the farm for appetizers we came upon this pretty lady making drinks for her guests. The drinks were pretty too. And so delicious.

Shelly and her husband always stage their setting for the party in a different spot in the gardens. So, then we went wandering to find where we would be this year. Her gardens are beautiful and it is nice to wander at the farm, especially with that drink in hand.

The table was so stunning. As Karen quips, "dang, no one does white like Shelly!"

Karen's cute skirt and top went perfectly with the icy yummy drink. I really can't think of anything that wouldn't go with that drink, but hey, she matched too.

The food... and angels sang! I can't tell you how good it was without my mouth watering. She found all of her recipes in her Mom's cookbook, from Hawaii. Nelia got it from a chef while on a trip to the islands, it is even signed. See the menu in previous post. My hubby keeps saying, "the chicken, oh the chicken'...

Such a gorgeous setting, table, friend and her farmer at the first stop of the Garden party 2008! Thanks guys!

Garden Party 2008

Oh! My! Last evening was the Garden Party Dinner and it was so over the top, it is doubtful that I can do it justice with my limited skills using photography or writing. The sights, tastes, smells, the fun, the perfect weather, the creativity and resourcefulness of our friends... Oh! My!
Vern and Shelly's year for Appetizers

Mark and Karen's year for Dinner

Our year for Dessert

I'll share more later, probably for a week, until you feel as though you were there. Today I am doing dishes, lots of glassware and then laying and hopefully recuperating on the patio.
*If you click on the photo, they will enlarge and you can read every delicious word.

Entertaining at Home and Work

Tomorrow evening is the Lynden Pioneer Museum's 10th annual Members' Only BBQ. We hold this event in the alley behind the museum. My hubby cooks, the Jazz Omelets play, Jerrie and I serve, Troy schmoozes. I'm expecting about 150 for dinner tomorrow night. Every year we have more people and the same menu, Costco sausages and rolls, sauteed peppers and onions, chips, baked beans and dessert. Usually cake or an apple crisp but this year we are having strawberry shortcake. Jerrie met me at Costco this morning to help me with the hunting and gathering. I also went to both grocery stores in Lynden today. Then I chopped 10# of onions and 18 peppers. In the morning I'll make the beans, pick up the berries and go like crazy until it is over at 6:30 p.m. If you are not a member of the museum and would like to come for the BBQ, you can join tomorrow and then come for the festivities. We also show off a new collection and this year it is motion lamps, they are so cool. I am totally coveting them. If we get them all going we could blow a fuse or two.
Friday night is the progressive garden party dinner with friends. This is a huge deal, lots of fuss and incredible food and wine pairings. My hubby and I have dessert this year. Tonight I finished my place cards, polished the silver, wrote my grocery list again, and tried to visualize the piles of dishes and doo dahs laying on every single flat surface of our home as they will look Friday evening. It is going to be a Martha moment! Unless, I fall over.

Fourth Fun

Visit the Snapsisters' site to learn more about Sparkler fun. It really does not take much to entertain my sisters and I. We think this activity is really fun. Our kids do too. http://thesnapsisters.blogspot.com/