The Picnic

My Dears,

I hope you've all kept cool these past several days...what a scorcher it has been! Thankfully I've kept comfortably cool in air conditioned rooms. As much as I love the days of old I still cannot fathom how those dear folks got through the dog days of summer without AC. *sigh*

So here I am tapping away on my very modern keyboard to share with you a very vintage event. Two posts prior I made mention of my annual Independence Day picnic. Well, needless to say it was truly an affair to remember. The weather cooperated, the food was plenty, and the guests were as ever delightful. To add to the fun of our day, we had reporters for the Star-Ledger drop by to do a story for their "Munchmobile" feature. What is the Munchmobile you wonder?

Well get a load of this!!!

 TA-DA!!

Yes...a van with a large wiener on top graced the driveway of Harmonie House.  No really dears, this is truly on the level! The Edwardians were not scandalized...that I know of. *winks* Anyhow, the reporter and his munchmobile companion of the day were quite lovely people. They seemed to enjoy taking a stroll back in time with us. They sampled the food, toured Harmonie House, watched the croquet match, and snapped many pictures. I was even interviewed on video. How fun!!

With Munchmobile reporter Pete.

Tables laden with delicious fare!

Sweets are on the left!

How pretty!

Of course lemonade was served along with other soft drinks and water. However, what most of these dear, proper ladies and gents preferred was the ever popular frozen gin & tonics! Oh indeed!! Our sweet friend Heather made sure to keep those glasses filled with this refreshing brew. Not one to skip a beat she was there, pitcher in hand, ready to greet the reporters with a frozen cup! These gin & tonics have become the signature drink at this annual affair. 

My dear Heather..sans the pitcher.

Naturally there was music to be played. Tunes from the teens, 20's, 30's, and 40's kept us tapping our toes and singing along. What about our game of extreme croquet? Well of course we played! As usual, the flowers were not too happy when a ball would land in their bed....and as usual, I kept on hollerin' "Stay away from the flower beds!!!" *sigh* Even I, yes, I too was guilty of this faux pas. *shrugs* I guess it wouldn't be called extreme croquet if we weren't challenged by the garden's inhabitants. Bless their sweet lil hearts. I made sure to water them well and give them some extra TLC after all was said and done. Thankfully my friends know to treat my plants gingerly at all times during a croquet match.

These lovely gents tenderly held back the plants
so that I could knock the ball out of the bed.

When evening came along, my fella brought out the grill and put on the burgers and hot dogs! We sat under the night sky and feasted on our yummy, grilled food while the stars twinkled high above us. We chatted away until it was time for everyone to return to their homes. 

It was a memorable affair. How can it not be when in the company of dear, beloved friends?

By the way...there isn't a picture of me and my fella at this event. Why? I don't know. I guess we slipped the camera's radar. Needless to say, I pouted fretfully when I realized that my honey and I were not photographed together. *sigh* So in lieu of a picnic picture, I shall share of picture of us together at a friend's wedding this past June.

 I think we make a cute couple....don't you?

Well my dears..tis late and I'm tired. Another day of work beckons for the morrow so I must bid you all a good night. Oh and just to let you know...I'll have another "This & That" post coming up real soon! 

Blissful tidings!!

xoxo

Miss Sandra

Tis That time Again!

My Dears!

It's that time again when I, my fella, and the rest of our "vintage" friends gather together for our annual Independence Day picnic at Harmonie House!

I've been working diligently on getting everything ready. I do find that I never seem to have enough time to prep for these gatherings, but by the same token I tend to become giddy as a child while I get the house ready, and spend oodles of time in the garden weeding, mulching, and just making everything pretty. On the day of our picnic I never lack help, for my fella and some of my closest friends make all the early prep and work flow smoothly.

The lists have been made (food, linens, outdoor accessories, etc). I still have shopping to do, food tent to put up, and finding something to wear. Shall I go Edwardian or perhaps 1920's? Hmmmm..I do have a few Victorian outfits as well as a 30's style summer dress. *sigh* Who knows? My guests always look fabulous in any era they choose.

Needless to say, we are all excited and ready for a trip back in time, a wonderful gathering of dear friends old and new, a most enjoyable game of extreme croquet (do avoid the flower beds), delightful vintage music, delicious food, and pitchers of frozen gin & tonics. Yes my dears, we also serve lemonade.
Oh indeed....this party is the "bees knees"!!

Here are a few images of picnics from years past....

That's me all the way on the left in the red and white.

 

That's me sitting at left with the hat.

 

I was trying to avoid the flower beds...not sure I succeeded.

Pondering...

No..that is not a frozen gin & tonic in my hand. *winks*

I hope each and every one of you has a most lovely 4th of July weekend. May bliss follow you wherever you go!

 Hey! What am I doing in the flower bed??

xoxo,

Miss Sandra

Summer Recap

My Dears,

How has the summer been treating you? If you are anything like me, then you're certainly counting the days till the autumn equinox. The summer heat does not become me, but I must make do with Mother Nature's season of warmth..and believe me, I have.

This year's annual Independence Day Edwardian/ Vintage picnic was truly a blast. My darling friend Heather came over the night before to help me prep. When morning came around Heather and I wasted no time. Sandwiches were prepared as were other edibles for the party. My fella arrived early enough to lend a hand. Together we three got the tables set up in the canopy/gazebo and readied the garden for an afternoon of vintage frolic and bliss. By the time our first guest arrived, we were dressed and ready to entertain.

My sweetheart and I

The absolutely lovely Heather

Lost in time...

Our sweet friend Jenn who looked lovely in her 20's frock, set up the wickets around the lawn for our usual game of extreme croquet. Heather made sure to keep everyone's spirits high by her steady supply of frozen gin & tonics. *smiles* The tables were laden with yummy picnic fare and the mood in the air was bright and festive. Music from the teens/2o's/30's/& 40's kept us tapping our toes and some of us even tripped the light fantastic.

Aptly named extreme croquet due to the non-traditional
way the wickets are placed around the flower beds.

Pondering my next move..

A view to the past...

Indeed it was a wonderful party..a moment in time...the days of old. My thanks to Bill whose lens always captures our parties beautifully...and to Zaida who makes sure these photos get to me. *hugs!*

So you see, I am trying to enjoy the summer as best as I can. My fella and I even decorated the canopy/gazebo and created an outdoor room. A small table with two chairs..a wicker sofa..dragonfly lantern lights and a curtained wall make for a cozy retreat. The coffee table and chaise lounge will follow in a week. We have spent many a lovely time inside our outdoor retreat, listening to music while enjoying candlelit dinners and nitecaps.

My sweet and humble retreat rests under the shade of the linden tree. This is where I go to relax with a book and a nice cold drink or perhaps a soothing cup of tea. I keep adding plants to my surroundings and also a plethora of solar lanterns to light my way in the evening. ..especially the breezy evenings when I can just lie down and linger languorously, watching the light bugs as they twinkle brightly in the garden and listen to the crickets serenading me through the night.

...lingering languorously.

Ready for company..


That's Sir Twigginham on the right near the fence.
My fella gave him that name. *smiles*
He's also responsible for setting up this corner of the garden.


My garden crystal ball...


...and my handsome fella who captured this lovely set of photos.
Thanks honey! ~~x~~

So until the first autumn breeze places its crisp kiss upon my cheek, I shall just grin and bear the rest of the summer. I guess it isn't so bad when such fun is to be had. What say you? *winks*

In the meantime, how about a cup of tea?


Enjoy the rest of this summer....blissfully!

xoxo
Miss Sandra

Happy 4th Of July!

My Dears,

I want to wish you all a wonderful Independence Day Weekend. Do the things that make you happy. Enjoy every minute of each day!!

I shall be celebrating with my Victorian/Edwardian friends at my annual picnic.

In the meantime I have lots to do and plan for the morrow.

*sigh* A woman's work is never done.

Have a wonderful time. Till the next....

xoxo
Miss Sandra