Summer is now in full play in Newport! To toast the official “start of the season” (which is kicked off by the Newport Flower Show) I hosted a garden party.
Photo Credit : Maaike Bernstrom Photography
Just thinking about entertaining brings a smile to my face. It’s been a way of life for as long as I can remember. In my heart, entertaining is a souvenir of life, a gift we give our family and friends. As always for me, party planning starts with a theme, a title, nothing complicated but something inspirational that gets me in the mood. For this occasion, it’s “Bellinis and Blossoms,” peach nectar topped off with champagne and served in a decorative flute. Everything after that point is a breeze…especially if you have dear friends who are here for the Flower Show, Margot Shaw ( founder and publisher of Flower magazine, and Katie Baker Lasker, both from Birmingham, Alabama.) The out-of-towners also included P. Allen Smith (gardening and television personality) and Jim Sumter, both hailing from Moss Mountain Farm, outside Little Rock, Arkansas.
Photo Credit : Maaike Bernstrom Photography
Photo Credit : Maaike Bernstrom Photography
Knowing that everyone would be scattered throughout the grounds, I chose passed hors d’oeuvres for their convenience and also because it adds such a “special touch.” That morning, silver platters of tea sandwiches…chicken salad with chutney, egg salad with minced parsley edges to the thin bread, salmon tartare on small rounds of marbled toast with a sprig of dill, and that old classic, cucumber slices…were prepared, each dressed with a small, floral bouquet. To round out the menu – demitasse cups of yummy cream of asparagus soup, and a rainbow selection of French Macaroons for a sweet finale.
Photo Credit : Maaike Bernstrom Photography
Photo Credit : Maaike Bernstrom Photography
The house was festive with flowers from the garden.
Photo Credit : Maaike Bernstrom Photography
Photo Credit : Maaike Bernstrom Photography
Photo Credit : Maaike Bernstrom Photography
It had rained all night and all morning (a freak tropical storm, up from the Gulf) but fifteen minutes before the guests were due, those droplets stopped just like magic. The first ladies arrived, the guest book started filling up with signatures and “the hats” headed to the garden, bellinis in hand. Please join us…
Photo Credit : Maaike Bernstrom Photography
Photo Credit : Maaike Bernstrom Photography
Photo Credit : Maaike Bernstrom Photography
Photo Credit : Maaike Bernstrom Photography
Photo Credit : Maaike Bernstrom Photography
What makes for the ultimate house party gift? Something that is from the guest’s part of the world and that is special to her, that she wishes to share. Here, a handblown glass container (by Orbix) that pairs perfectly with the hostess’s favorite flower – a magenta pink ITOH peony.
Bettie. I’m having the best time being a part of the Newport scene via your blog.
Very entertaining, pretty and fun
You are gifted
Best, marjorie
Are we ready to go back to London?!
Oh , Bettie , just too beautiful for words. Besides the gorgeous garden and roses, loved the hats and shoes!! Much love, Sue
Thanks! And I wish those were my shoes…
What a magical gathering!
Your house and garden are nonpareil!
Guests in their chapeaux and the beautifully presented goodies, and the rain stopped…
Prayer works!
It was perfection.
Merci mille fois, Bettie, you are a hostess extraordinaire.
xo Margot
But having you with me was frosting on the cake. I Thought of you last night as I arranged my Princess Margaretha roses and put them in one of your yummy Orbix vases.
Lise Beane says, “I love your newsletter. It is creative and entertaining. “
Just like you! Hope you’re having a happy summer…
Delightful time in your garden with friends, food and flowers.
What could be better!
Cheryl
So glad you could be with us. Weren’t we lucky about the rain?
Every time I read one of your delightful posts I feel like I have enjoyed a personal visit. Each of your insights of Newport reminds me of our Dallas Garden Club trip to Newport and your beautiful home. Your return visit to Dallas is not to far away and I look forward to being with you soon.
Fondly,
Ann
It’s right around the corner, Ann. Can’t wait to be back with all of you in Dallas!
Everything is absolute perfection…and I am dying to find out who made your dress!?!?!?!?
It’s fun to wear…Alice and Olivia.
Bettie, I so do enjoy your blogs. I’m a very good friend of Anthony Picozzi and he turned me on to you and your books. Love them! Now I’ve found this treasure. Don’t you just adore face book?
Thank you so much…and please thank Anthony for sending you our way.Yes, I adore Facebook…it’s addictive, though