One of my favourite things about summer is the various opportunities for impromptu gatherings with friends. A couple of week-ends ago one such gathering took place at our country home with dear friends and their darling little boys.
Our back patio/entertaining area is a work in progress ... but that does not stop us from having a great time with friends. The work in progress is also great for keep things informal.
A garden themed tablecloth is quickly placed over the wrought iron table and the table is set.
A round blue scalloped place mat - reminds me of the delicate petals of flowers found in the garden; next a outdoor garden themed plate with flowers and garden inhabitants; topped off with a round dessert plate and napkin secured by a watering can napkin ring.
Mr. G BBQ'd some fabulous steaks and a delicious Caprese salad (a summer time staple at our summer time meals) was served along with baked (on BBQ) sweet potatoes and corn. This great meal was completed with....
...wonderful sweet delights!!!
Pastries from a local bakery.....
and a small red velvet Canada Day cake, from the grocery store.
While our friends and Mr.G. enjoyed their sweet delights with espressos ...
and some cognac .....
I enjoyed a wonderful cup of ginger green ...steeped in a single serving silver teapot...
and sipped from one of the Versace teacups, a collection which Mr. G started for me a couple of years ago. The cups size is perfect and I love the winged handle.
The inside of the rim is equally ornate.*
Our friends' eldest son Lucas is 2 years old and I would say a real cupcake eating expert! Super cute and well mannered. Our little furbabies were delighted with him as a playmate.
Not one tasty bite of this scrumptious red velvet cupcake with deadly icing was wasted...
His little brother Andrew is tres cute!! and we are certain will be giving Lucas some competition in the cupcake eating department soon!!
Do you find summer is filled with wonderful impromptu gatherings of friends at your home?
What is your favourite thing about entertaining in the summer?
* this teacup may have meant with a breaking ending that day...stay tuned for a future post.
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I love the informal gatherings the summer seems to bring about, makes it so much easier to get together and forget about timetables and agendas! What gorgeous pics! The treats look absolutely delectable, love the Canada Day cake!! How adorable are Lucas and Andrew, so cute!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful time! I love your photos and the menu! The Versace teacup is wonderful with the wings. And the red velvet Canada Day is brillian! Thanks fo sharing your wonderful summer occasion and linking to Tuesday Cuppa Tea!
ReplyDeleteRuth
Looks lovely! All I could offer you would be to BBQ a burger.
ReplyDeleteBurger .. no bun... is one of my fav foods on the BBQ! Hope you are staying cool in this extreme heat my friend. xo HHL
DeleteI love informal gatherings...in fact, it's the only kind I do! I am not skilled at throwing formal parties.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool cake! And your Versace tea cup is gorgeous. Please don't tell us it's broken. That would be terrible!
Dearest Celia,
ReplyDeleteOh no...! You did not loose that perfect cup from Versace?! I know that one as I've held it in my hands (not your cup...) for admiring it.
You did set a very nice table for your summer time meal with dear friends! Also the cute watering can napkin ring holders for such an outdoor setting worked great. The desserts look yummy, especially that artful maple leaf for Canada Day!
Today we had such a leisurely breakfast with dear friends. Baked popover pancakes in the oven and served with cherries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries and maple syrup. We had a great time! Such a relaxing Sunday... Friendships are the best vitamins for the soul.
Hugs and love to both of you and it's a pity you're far off, otherwise we would get together.
Mariete
Those Versace teacups are so cool! I would love for you to be a part of the blogger sample swap! >> more info >> http://ow.ly/cfU6G
ReplyDeleteThose treats look so yummy, and they go great with espresso. Those boys are so cute. I love informal parties in the summer, they are so relaxing and fun. I love your pics, they make the post come alive. :)
ReplyDeleteNext time I want an invitation! How much am I loving the Versace cup and saucer, I want one!
ReplyDeleteHi Celia,
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a fabulous summer you are having! What a fun time!
Hope all is good for you!
Busy here as summer usually is!
Enjoy,
Barb
Hi Celia, Your table is pretty, and the pastries and Canada Day cake look wonderful! Glad you had a good time. Stay cool!
ReplyDeleteSit back, relax and enjoy all those goodies!!! The Versace teacups are gorgeous. Looks like a wonderful time! Happy Tea Day!
ReplyDeleteHello Celia,
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely table set with blue goblets, beautiful teacups and oh, so yummy treats! Looks like everyone had a wonderful time.
Thank you for stopping by for tea today. I will add your link if you like. Enjoy your week.
Blessings,
Sandi
Celia,
ReplyDeleteYou look great!!! I love your dress, and what a lovely get together! It sounds like a perfect afternoon :) I particularly love the patriotic red velvet cake!
I hope life is treating you kindly this summer ~
xo,
Nathalie
You are so sweet to think of my Grandmother, Bless you! She has had a major turnabout, and is doing incredible (sfter some scary times!)...we are SO happy and pleased, and I am grateful every day that she calls me! Yes, I have heard your weather has been HOT...our dry heat I can handle, but the humidity...another story...that is what C is for, stay cool my friend. And a Happy belated 1st birthday to your little guy, xo Nathalie
ReplyDeleteCelia,
ReplyDeleteI just love this post! You have the most amazing smile and what a wonderful recap of your luncheon. These table looks so pretty and those desserts look perfect.
Hope your week is off to a wonderful start.
leslie
A nice photo of you Celia, shows what a good time you had. Impromptu meals for us are usually done with family and they are fun with an odd assortment of food at times.
ReplyDeleteThe desserts you served look decadent, the Canada cake a real treat. Having a meal outdoors is the perfect place with little people so they don't have to be careful of spilling anything.
Judith
I think the look on that baby's face is, "WHERE is MY cupcake?" I love when you have pix to go with your story because your stories are always inspiring. This one makes me wish I lived closer to my friends. Unfortunately, they are scatter all over the world. But when they pass by, we have a good time!!
ReplyDeleteHello Ceila,
ReplyDeleteThat is what I love about summer too! Visiting with family and friends is fab. It looks like you all had a great time. Your tea is delicious looking, such fine desserts! Your tea cups too are lovely...both of them. And your single serving silver tea pot makes me *swoon*!
Hugs,
Terri
Love your attitude...it is so easy to decline to have guests if everything isn't 'perfect'. What fun you had!! Mmm, the desserts look sinful and the table is inviting. Have a great week :)
ReplyDeleteShawn
I'm envious! It looks like so much fun!
ReplyDeleteI love the relaxed atmosphere of summer and y'all look like you had a great time celebrating life :)
ReplyDeleteThis looks so lovely and wonderful to see you too :)) ... We are still waiting for summer here in Wales.. fed up.com xx
ReplyDeletePerfect tablescape for a gathering with friends. Dinner sounds fabulous and the desserts are unreal. Breaking the teacup would break my heart. Thanks for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteYou look relaxed and beautiful my sweet friend!!
ReplyDeleteI'm not mentioning the desserts. Lawd!!
(and caprese salad...truth? I once came to Florida and ate it every.single.day for a week. The buffalo mozzarella at Costco here is ridiculously good and reasonable)
Celia,
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful country table you have set here! And you look so beautiful too! We live in the city and have virtually no yard, but have a grand wrap around porch, where I like to entertain in the summer and where we often eat our dinner.
Hope you are staying cool.
xoxo,
Mary
Hi Celia,
ReplyDeleteThose desserts look so delicious. The little fella is really enjoying that red velvet cupcake. You have done a wonderful job bringing together good food, friends and a lovely setting for all to enjoy. Summer is such a great time for entertaining b/c you can enjoy the outdoors. We had a BBQ for friends a few weeks ago and we had so much fun. Thanks for sharing. Hope you will visit Magnolia Cottage.
Blessings,
Lisa
I agree, the desserts look delicious, especially the red velvet. Good party with good friends is always fun.
ReplyDelete