It’s been a secret dream of mine… to have a garden open house that is. 

We moved into our farmhouse seven years ago. It was an abandoned foreclosed
home with most of the windows busted out and an interior that said a lot about
the previous owners- nothing good! We looked at the house for the first time in
the middle of winter, little did I know there wouldn’t be a garden to find.

As for trees and shrubs, there was one very large and beautiful maple tree
and an apple tree in the back yard, a nice hedge of antique hyrangeas on the
side of the house and a couple lilac bushes. Not bad for some, but not near what
my heart desired.

I’ve shared the creation of all the gardens here in my blogs except the
patio. Unfortunately, I didn’t take any pictures of the first  two years labor.
It was a big job and being busy with the other things in our life, it ended up
taking three years… we finished just last month!

Over the years my garden’s have evolved as have I… my likes and my tastes
have grown and are depicted in my cottage style gardens. I love simply being in
them… breathing the aromas that surround me… listening to the wind whisper
through the leaves… watching the hummingbirds busily work. My gardens are simply
my sanctuary.

So, an open house… now that will be an undertaking I’m sure. I’ve read
about and attended several… and secretly dreamed, “Some day… some day I can
share my gardens…”

So when will I say that the time has arrived? I don’t know… so I think
I’ll just create a plan of action right here with all of you and maybe a
Pinterest board of my dreams, LOL- you can follow me there too at For
Dragonflies And Me @ Pinterest.


Lets start with the INVITATION… garden themed of
course. I plan on using vintage prints of botanicals with some pretty ribbons.
You’ll need to decide who you are planning to invite: will it be just close
friends and family? neighbors? What about your Facebook, Twitter, Blog followers
and whatever other social media sites/groups you may be involved with? You can
send out a formal invitation using snail mail and/or via email/FB/Twitter,
etc.

Have a Guest Book ready for the guests to sign.
I plan on using a pretty garden style notebook/journal like this one.

A ‘Thank You Gift’ is a special touch that your
guests will appreciate. I make blank stationary photo-greeting cards with many
of my photographs to sell at market. These are a useful and beautiful gift that
your guest will appreciate.

When you’re guests arrive, have a cute chalk board set up on an easel
to ‘Welcome’ and direct
them.

Creating the MENU is next and the time of year
should determine what will be on it. If you have your own garden, try to use
things that you’ve grown. This is the menu and photo’s from one of my recent
get-to-gethers.
~Watermelon bowl with mixed fruit served on a green
Depression glass cake plate.

~Artisan goat cheese served in antique tea cups with garden themed
spreaders served on platter with several varieties of crackers on an elevated
platter.

~Fresh home made Garden Tea served in my bee hive drink jug

I made tags stating the flavors of each dressing and goat cheese and
attatched it to the handle of cups and pitchers.

Put utensils separately in Terra cotta pots along with napkins in a
slightly larger one. Place all these in a fabric lined long handled basket along
with throw away trays.

The Table should be as special as the
menu…
~Use a quilt for the table cloth. If you plan on having several small
tables, use a mix of cute sheets or table clothes overlaid with pretty linens.
This is one of my favorite quilts to use. It can be used for spring, summer or
fall!

A pretty centerpiece is the final touch for the table…and don’t forget
candles. Here I’ve placed two scented jar candles in Terra cotta pots to go
along with the theme.

~Bouquets should be made with whatever is blooming in your
gardens…
Peonies in blue mason jars are beautiful and such an elegant
contrast

Hosta leaves are timeless and will last for weeks in the vase…mix
different varieties of height and colors for interest.

~Having a few welcoming area’s for guests to sit and visit is always a
nice touch…

Room for two in the grill station.

Three old metal chairs around a cozy fire bowl in the patio

Neil built this swing frame beside our fire pit. It’s more child friendly
than adult… Seating for six around the fire…very cozy in our over sized chairs.
I typically use cute sheets or table clothes as seat covers.
Here are my home made Ranch Dressing and Garden Tea Recipes… enjoy
friends


Ranch Dressing
2 cups Mayonnaise DO NOT exchange for
Miracle Whip or Salad Dressing!!!!
2 cups milk
2 Tbsp. dry parsley or
1/2 cup fresh, chopped finely
2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
1 Tbsp.
onion powder
1/2 Tbsp. sea salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. paprika


Combine mayo and milk; whisk together until smooth. Add remaining ingredients
and refridgerate for at least an hour so flavors can blend.
*Note: It will
thicken, but if you want it a bit thicker add 1 Tbsp. of mayo at a time until
desired consistency; if too thick do the same, but with milk.


Fresh Garden Tea Concentrate
8 cups water
4 cups raw
organic sugar
6 cups tea leaves

 Bring water and sugar to a hard boil for 5 minutes; add tea leaves and remove
from heat. Cover and let steep 5 to 8 hours.


TO MAKE: combine 1 part tea concentrate to 2 parts cold water.
You can
freeze the concentrate for up to a year, so if you have lots of tea growing, you
can enjoy this all year long.

So, now we have a plan of action… just need to get all the projects done!
Please take a trip over to my Word Press blog to see the gobs of pictures that go with this post! Follow this link http://fordragonfliesandme.wordpress.com/2013/07/21/garden-open-house-plus-my-homemade-ranch-dressing-and-fresh-garden-tea-recipes/ 
 
Happy Day,
Jean

The sun is rising right now, its rays glimmering in the puddles… the breeze
feels cool and gentle… the air is filled with an earthy scent from the rains
we’ve enjoyed… the robins and Baltimore orioles are saying good morning to
whoever is blessed enough to be listening. Sitting In the gardens this time of
day is so relaxing and free, it almost makes me feel guilty to have this little
piece of Heaven right here under my feet.
 
I’m sitting in my breakfast patio writing this right now
while everyone else is still sleeping. There’s a male Ruby Throated Hummingbird
sitting on my clothesline… he seems to be enjoying the quiet morning along with
me. 
 
All my life we had a garden and it’s a part of who I am, what I feel, what I
love. My life would be so empty without it. I love sharing my gardens with
friends and loved ones, entertaining and making them feel at home. There were
two main reasons why we created the patio: the first of course was for my family
to have a special place to fellowship and have our meals and the second was to
entertain.

 A cozy space is an inviting place to have friends and family.

 Here are some Garden Party idea’s and tips…

*Garden Themed Invitations.  Use a 4 x 5 1/2 piece of card stock. Pick up
some 10 for $1 seed packs and use the seed pack for the ‘picture’.  Use a rubber
stamp with ‘party info’ on the back. Not just cute, but practical.
You can also take photos of flowers, garden junque or garden scenes, crop them down and
use them for the front of your invitation.

Here's a photo I took that I put on the front of a blank card. ‘Your Invited’ rubber stamp and pack of seeds!
*Decorating the table and buffet will speak loudly when done right! Here are
some super cute ideas!
~Use pretty floral sheets or plain white that drape
to the floor with quilts laid diagonally over for table clothes.
~Use 3 clay
pots of the same size to hold forks, spoons and knives in.  Tie a piece of
raffia around the rim with a bow to make it even cutter.
~Use baskets  lined
with floral napkins to hold napkins & breads.
~Mason jars make the
cutest drinking vessels, especially if they are blue! Not to mention flower
vases and candle holders.
 ~A hodge podge of old plates and platters are a great way to serve your
sandwiches, cheese & crackers & appetizers.
~Use an old galvanized
wash tub filled to the top with ice and put bottled water, juice or pop in for
guests.
~An old pickle crock thoroughly cleaned makes a spectacular punch
bowl.
~Print the menu out on card stock and lay over each guests plate.  
 
*The Menu! Your theme is garden, so plan according.
~Sandwiches can be
very special! I like to make mini sandwiches but cutting the sandwich into
quarters. First I trim off the crust; make your sandwich and then cut into
diagonally so you have four triangles. I like to use chicken, egg and tuna salad
for my fillings along with a yummy cucumber filling. Go to my Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/For-Dragonflies-And-Me/550000798362651
for the recipe! Be sure to LIKE AND SHARE while you’re there, please and thanks! 
 
~Watermelons aren’t just yummy, they can be beautiful centerpieces as well. 
Most of us have seen how melons can be cut to represent a handled basket,
hollowed out and then filled with a beautiful and delicious fruit salad.   The
long oval shaped melons work best.

 *Punch is the funnest drink for a party! Try making ‘real’ lemonade!  It is
very simple- use 3 parts water to 1 part lemon juice, add 1 cup of sugar for
every 4 cups of liquid! Cut lemon’s and limes in slices and let them swirl
around to make it extra special.  If you have a ‘color’ theme to your party, add
a few drops of food coloring to make your lemonade your color!  You can use any
large container to hold your punch!  Use jelly jars for your glasses with
umbrella straws!

 *Of course the Cake! Check out this Teapot cake tutorial- this really makes
an impression! A little time consuming, but worth the effort! http://www.flickr.com/photos/popocreation/3669618629/in/photostream/ 
 
*Garden themed craft projects are a fun way to send your guests home with a
gift. Try making Posy Pots!  Here is what you will need! Organic Potting mix, 1
Quart Zip Lock baggies, Sunflower or Marigold seeds, pretty card stock , tulle,
raffia, and a small clay pot.  Fill the baggie with enough potting mix to fill
the pot then place filled bag inside the pot. Take the card stock and make a
small packet to put 2-3 seeds in, seal. Place seed packet on top of dirt bag in
pot.  Gather tulle around the outside of the pot, and tie with raffia.  Cut out
a 4″ x 4″ piece of card stock for a gift tag and using a rubber stamp or sticker
of the type of flower seed you chose, place it on the square, punch a hole in
the corner, write planting instructions on back and attach to raffia bow. Such
fun for everyone!

The ideas of course are only limited by your imagination… so have fun, host a
party and let your creativity shine!

To see all the awesome photo's that go along with this post, please go over to my Word Press blog at http://fordragonfliesandme.wordpress.com/2013/07/10/garden-parties-how-to-host-a-party-garden-style/

 Don’t forget to take a trip over to For Dragonflies And Me Facebook page for
this yummy Cucumber ‘Herb Garden’ Sandwiches!

 Happy Day,
Jean

 This entry was posted in Garden Party, Gardening, Uncategorized and tagged baltimore orioles, food, garden party idea's, garden party invitations, garden party menu, Garden themed, how to Hosting a garden party,
photos of flowers, ruby throated hummingbird.
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