An Enchanting Evening In A Garden

It was a rare Monday evening. It was a magical evening. It was a garden tea party purchased at a benefit auction. It was a 75th birthday celebration for a very special lady, and it was an evening that will always remain a treasured memory.

Many years ago the owner of this property created a four sided play house for his little girl. She is a beautiful young lady now and the playhouse has evolved into a tea room in the middle of the garden and pine trees. It's lace curtains and tiny electric candles at the windows make it perfectly suited for garden tea parties.

Walking through the gardens quickly made one realize how talented this family is in mastering gardening and water ponds.



Three very special ladies who have been good friends since childhood. Now in their seventies, their friendship continues to grow. The stories they could tell and the valuable lessons that I've learned from each of their lives could fill volumes.

Each of the three friends had daughters born within a few years of each other. Here we are, their three daughters, and we have been friends throughout our lives. Sharing many of the same celebrations and events through the years. The six of us were the privileged ones to enjoy an evening in the garden.

So much beauty to behold everywhere one looked. The hostess had bouquets of her flowers, old starched white linens, and beautiful dishes gracing every table.

Flowered tea cups, tiny brass spoons, sugar cubes and soft evening breezes...it is difficult to define the moment.

I photographed this plate of food so that you could see the thought, detail, and variety of the food we were served. I only wish I could give you a taste of each delicious morsel.




Our hostess, her daughter and her neice walking into the garden with the plates of dessert and pots of hot tea.

What an amazing array of desserts to choose from, and so attractively displayed, including edible glitter and tiny flowers on each of the chocolate truffles.





Our hostess and her sister. Their warm, caring personalities and their cooking and baking skills, along with their gardening abilities produced a truly elegant, garden tea party. The beautiful black and white apron on the hostess was one of my sister-in-law's designed creations.

As darkness set in, the lanterns were lit, the candles were glowing, and the tiny white lights out lined the log tea house, creating an ambience that was of storybook material.




As we said our good byes, and walked away from the from the enchanted gardens, I was filled with gratitude for the privilege of participating in such an event with dear friends who have been instrumental in shaping my life for many years. Our three mothers make the seventy years look good. I wanted to share this evening with all of you, so hopefully you do not mind the length of this post.