Garden Party Luncheon

 With the mercury edging towards eighty, wild black raspberries gently ripening, fireflies starting to light up the night, I got an itching to host a party. The front porch was just begging me to have a luncheon full of tasty in-season produce. And once I get an idea in my head, I obsess for hours, trolling pinterest, reading articles on edible flowers, making grocery lists, until I've completely planned an entire event. Before you congratulate me on my persistence, I should tell you that I should've been otherwise occupied. But, this was the result, so it wasn't a total waste, right?

I went with a "garden party" theme. Purply-black pansies, little yellow violas, punched tin pots. Invited some ladies I know. There was the softest of breezes that fluttered the flower petals & kept the conversation fresh. The sun was out, (but not in anyone's eyes) on the shady porch. Lots of mint tea. A slow mid-day meal, relaxed & just because.

To prepare, I hit up The Antique Shoppe's farmer's market Saturday for my beets. And because I just love The Antique Shoppe.

 I hocked this lettuce from my sister's garden. Also the mint for the tea. And a few beets, maybe. Do you think she'll ever get tired of my mooching?

 Floral tabletop decor, doing duty as place cards & take-home favors! I do love me some multi-purpose, utilitarian decor. Also cheap. Got the lot of flowers for less than it would've cost me to buy a Subway footlong. And that would've been a much less attractive & slightly puzzling table centerpiece, don't you think?

Menu as napkin ring. (I do gravitate towards multi-purpose, don't I?)

I know! Gorgeous, right? These beauties were made by my favorite local pastry chef. The only local pastry chef, actually. She also happens to be my sister. Works out nicely. But these tasted better than they looked. So, in a word, Yum.

 Granddaughter & Grandmother.

It was an absolutely perfect day for a luncheon on the porch. I'm so blessed that I have such a gorgeous porch at my disposal. And talented sisters. With gardens. I also need to give credit to my friend, Carmen (She's the one in red in the group shot. Wave to everyone, Carm!), who feeds my harebrained ideas, and also brought half the food, and arrived before I did to get set-up:). I shudder to think what my already scattered life would look like without these ladies in my life.

Now, I'm off to plan my next luncheon, titled "French Country Chic Brunch"!