Summer Evening in the Gazebo

Monday was the launch of Yvonne's new meme,


"On The Menu Monday"

at her very beautiful and very inspiring blog

StoneGable

She plans WEEKLY lists of her meals

that have inspired me to try so many new recipes

and every single one has been awesome!

I'm not much of a plan ahead menu maker unless its for a dinner party.

Our last big event was the Fathers Day celebration held at my DH's son's lovely home.

I wanted to make things that would travel well, not spoil in the heat,

and would please the vegetarians in the family.

I brought this BIG bowl of fresh fruit along with Marzetti's Strawberry Yogurt Fruit Dip.

It is our favorite topping for fruit!

I served some of it out in the gazebo for dinner for just the two of us,

the night before the big celebration.

I like how the multiple colors look in this hand painted salad bowl.

S0 frequently, I plan my menu AROUND the dishes

I want to use for a dinner party.

I know, that's backwards from most people.

I also made a Greek Spinach & Olive Pasta Salad with grape tomatoes & feta cheese.

It is a combination of two different recipes.

I was trying to duplicate a very similar salad that our local

Mustard Seed Market sells.

It turned out to be DELICIOUS & very close to the original.

I'll post the recipes later in the week, for Foodie Friday.

Our table for two was set with other hand painted dishes,

gifted to me from a cherished FL friend & neighbor after I had some surgery.

She left the basket of painted plates & wine glasses, along with a BIG bottle of wine & a note that said

"Here, drink this...it will make you feel better.

I don't DO chicken soup!"

I still laugh over that note!

RED flatware is from Target, white dinner plates are from T. J. Maxx,

last year & their only marking is the letter "B".

Little white bowls for the fruit salad are from Big Lots.

Little RED bowls were purchased from a restaurant in FL.

I like how you can see the pattern of the white plate

through the clear glass salad plates.

Again, I accidently captured the spiral top

of the inside of the gazebo with this shot.

Honestly, I don't do it on purpose!

I'm always surprised when I download the photos & it shows up.

I also like how skinny it makes me I look in that shot,

too, so I HAD to use it. *wink*

I purchased the salad bowl & this water pitcher at different times & different places,

just because they went so well with the plates & wine glasses.

Our big white, deeply etched mugs were a

"Thank you" hostess gift from DH's sweet son & very thoughtful wife.

On the backs of the chairs, I placed some new dish towels to be used for napkins.

Can you see the fountain down at the pond?

The fine mesh screening of the gazebo makes taking photos out here a wee bit difficult.

I cut some branches from my neighbor's hydrangea bushes for some greenery...

hers bushes are HUGE & I knew she wouldn't mind.

Happily, after leaving them sitting out there, a week later,

they have roots starting!!!

I'll be thrilled if I plant them & they take.

You can see in this shot that the vase is also hand-painted.

Gingham ribbon runs through the reticulated edge

of my Ralph Lauren cake stand and

coordinates with the red gingham on the Wm. Sonoma placemats.

Dessert was maple iced coffee cake with big mugs of hot DECAF tea.

There is NO WAY I could drink a cup of REGULAR tea that size, so close to bedtime.

I'd be wide awake & in the bathroom all night long!

We really enjoyed our quiet dinner outside with just the two of us.

Our summer season is so short, we should do it more often!

Thanks for stopping by The Gazebo House!
Our doors are always open for you &
if you visit during the summer,
we'll eat out in the gazebo!

fondly,
Rett

I'll also be linking with Susan's
Tablescape Thursday
&
The Tablescaper's
Seasonal Sundays

Also joining I Savor The Weekend
for her Patriotic Party!