Archive for the ‘garden’ Category

The Feel Factor – There’s something sensual about the feel of cloth napkins – it seems so indulgent but it’s truly the greener way to go. Soften your guests’ hearts WHILE making the planet happier. Keep a stash of supple, cotton napkins at the ready in one of your favorite urns or flower pots. Use them instead of paper napkins to up the feel-factor and make your guests feel extra special.

Light the Night – Let the party melt into easy conversation on the deck with the flicker of candle light. Stow votives, extra tea lights & matches in a basket close to the back door to bring out at dusk. Candle light during hot summer nights offers the same effect of a fireplace in the winter – it softens the mood, warms the heart and brings people together.

A Special Reserve – Some of our most intimate conversations between friends and family happen after the bustle of the party is over. Towards the end of a social affair, people tend to be more relaxed, have settled into their comfort zone and let their guards down a little. Have something ‘special’ in reserve for your guests who linger. Try sparkling cider, dessert wine, fresh fruit, sorbet or frozen grapes. Anything to foster an atmosphere of ‘plenty’. In essence you’re saying, ‘I value you and want to connect with you”.

Join Your Own Party - A little advanced planning will let you enjoy your guests and not be stuck in the kitchen while everyone else is having a good time. Cut, slice and arrange what you can on platters way ahead of your guests arriving. The day before (or early the day of) your party, go ahead and set the table with all the candles, linens and serving dishes you are planning to use. Label each platter or dish with sticky notes so you know what is going to go where. Make sure you have enough serving utensils laid out appropriate for each dish. You don’t want to be pilfering through your cupboards at the last minute looking for that tray you know you got as a wedding gift! With this done – all you have to do is bring your prepared hot or chilled food out and set in its place – voila! Instant party.

This past weekend was the Birmingham Botanical Gardens ‘Glorious Gardens Tour’. If you’ve never treated yourself to this delightful extravagance, you’re missing some of Birmingham’s best kept secrets! It was Mother’s Day, so of course I invited my Mom.

Mom in Garden

We went to church and then had brunch at Mudtown (oh, my! you must go! We both had the French Toast and highly recommend it!). We hurried home to change, jumped in the car with tickets, map, water and sunglasses (what a beautiful day to be outside!). We toured five private and two public gardens. Can I just say God is one amazing artist! I’m speechless (among other things). And the talent, vision and dedication of these Master Gardeners and Garden Architects…wow! I left energized, inspired and amazed. Each garden unique. Each one with it’s own character and personality. Each one glorious. I can’t help thinking about God’s unique and beautiful purpose for each individual person he so carefully thought out and created. On purpose. With much devotion and love. (again, I’m speechless). I took some pictures, but I’m telling you it’s nothing like seeing it live.. in vivid high definition color. It was one of those rare and perfect days. Happy Mother’s Day, Mom – I love you.

Fountain (of youth?)

Perfect Roses

Perennial Border

Inside pool house (yes, I took pictures through the windows!)

The floor is tiled in pebbles! Amazing.

Fire pit side yard - is this really still the same yard?!

Bermuda grass makes great looking pot mulch!

Formal English Garden (yes, same yard! they have everything!)

Beautiful mosaic.

Iron, glass, ceramic...it's all in there!

My Friends and Me

It was just the right thing to do at halloween…the right night to do it.. and the perfect mix of friends and neighbors (okay, they are ALL neighbors who are great friends – how blessed am I?) With taco soup on the stove and our pile of pumpkins on the deck, we each gutted and cleaned out our favored gourds, took them into surgery and unveiled the results with a photo op in the dark. A motley crew for sure… and kudos to our first time pumpkin carvers!!!! Look at the talent on my little street!

Susan, me and the Great Pumpkins

Jordan, Krista, Susan & me - and the jacks of all.