A Summertime Alfresco Evening

Hello, and welcome to the Alfresco Tablescape Blog Hop sponsored by Chloe Crabtree @ Celebrate and Decorate blog.
Join me for a summertime alfresco evening here in the deep south with a table set for two. I'm in my garden nestled under the shade of the trees enjoying a nice breeze perfect for alfresco dining for my husband and me.

Hydrangeas, my favorite flower, fill a vintage McCoy pot as a centerpiece along with green nadina berries.  
The different hues of hydrangeas inspired my centerpiece and table elements. At this time of the year, the colors of hydrangeas change from blue or pink to lovely shades of blue-green and smoky purple.

Setting a table surrounded by the beauty of God's creation stirs up so many memories for me. 

It's getting close to our anniversary and I'm feeling a little romance in this setting.

 The green hydrangeas on the bush in the background were all blue just weeks before. 

Dining in the freshness of the open air is so pleasant.

The phlox is blooming and butterflies are lazily flitting from flower to flower. Summer flowers make us happy because summer evokes pleasant memories 

of family vacations and a more laid back atmosphere. We want to get outside and enjoy nature.

Summer shades of green in the flowers and garden foliage inspired me to chose green Paula Deen plates for my alfresco tablescape. A floral napkin print with several colors worked well with purple stemware and since butterflies are everywhere in my garden I was reminded to use the butterfly napkin rings purchased on a wonderful trip with my husband to Provence.

Colors evoke moods or feelings and the ambience of the outdoors calms and relaxes.

Are you feeling relaxed and tranquil? It's time to escape the noise of the T.V. and pull of the computer and focus on your dining companions.

Can you smell the flowers and even the fresh clipped rosemary in the tiny votives? Are you getting hungry?

Our menu:
Grilled salmon (my husband's speciality) with lemon-dill sauce 
Roasted asparagus
Tossed green salad
Lemon icebox pie with graham cracker crust

I've enjoyed sharing my Alfresco Tablescape with you today as part of the Alfresco Tablescape Blog Hop. View other alfresco tables here and here. Join all the other fabulous tablescapers all week. Links are given below.

MONDAYStarfish Cottage | Knock it Off Kim | Life and Linda | Southern Hospitality | Everyday LivingTUESDAYMy Kentucky Living | DesignThusiasm | Simple Nature Decor  | Living With ThanksgivingWednesday
Red Cottage Chronicles  | The Little Yellow Corner Store | Ramblings of a Southern Girl
CoziNest  | Love of HomeThursdayPanoply | Flourish & Knot | The Painted Apron | Dining Delight
FridayB. Lovely Events | Lolly Jane | A Toile Tale | Bluesky Kitchen | Rattlebridge Farm

Linking to : Metamorphosis Monday, Show and Share,The Scoop, Inspire Me Tuesday, The Enchanting Rose, Wow Us , Share your Style Party, Tablescape Thursday, Thoughts of Home,Feathered Nest Friday, Home Sweet Home, Foodie Friday,Dishing It and Digging ,Your Inspired Design,Celebrate and Decorate, Share It One More Time

A Summer Luncheon

 High school classmates gathered in my home recently for a summer luncheon. Everyone brought a dish and we enjoyed a delicious meal together and great fellowship.

 I am so thankful my hydrangeas bloomed this year. These lush new blooms take my breath away. 

 The flower colors inspired me to use my purple stemware and blue and white pottery dishes. You can view another tablescape with these dishes and stemware here. I usually take many more shots of the table but I was quite busy with the flower arranging not just for the table but throughout the house.

This is my favorite time of year to entertain when I can cut flowers from my garden and fill the house with arrangements.

Three square vases full of blooms in varying shades sitting on mirrored tiles were the centerpiece. 

I had a great time making seven arrangements. It has been such a blessing to me to have blooms  to cut this year in my garden since it has been slim pickins the last few years.

 A simple white pitcher filled with blue hydrangeas on the  kitchen island. 

Small arrangement in a mason jar.

 The aqua flowers on the tole tray were the inspiration for using the aqua mason jar as a vase on the kitchen buffet.

 Guest bathroom with shades of pink and lavender.

The master bath rated an arrangement too.
 Are you doing any summer entertaining? Do you like to make flower arrangements? Hydrangeas make it easy.

Nothing like a pot luck meal!

I am thankful for these high school friends.



Linking to : Metamorphosis Monday, Show and Share,The Scoop, Inspire Me Tuesday, The Enchanting Rose, Wow Us , Share your Style Party, Tablescape Thursday, Thoughts of Home,Feathered Nest Friday, Home Sweet Home, Foodie Friday,Dishing It and Digging 

New Blooms in my Garden

 Please join me as I stroll through my garden. Smell the fragrance and see the new blooms that have blessed me this week.

I believe this is a Queen Elizabeth rose. 

A red knockout rose.

Caladiums and a white hydrangea that I am so pleased that lived and is blooming.

One of two white hydrangeas that were planted two years ago and is blooming for the first time.

 An old wrought iron porch column adds a touch of blue in my garden.

 Delighted to spy this ladybug in my garden. They are gardeners friends because they eat other bugs that damage plants.

 I have over 80 hydrangeas and most of them I have rooted.  See other hydrangea posts here and here.

 My oak leaf hydrangeas  were moved a few years back and they are finally getting adjusted to a new spot in the garden. The blossoms are huge.

The agapanthus are beginning to unfurl. 

It is such a delight to have hydrangeas blooming this year. Last year I did not have a single blossom. A late freeze is the only culprit anyone can figure out. 

 Autumn joy sedum are so easy to root and will do well in the sun or part shade.

 Elephant ears are trusty perennials.

 Pink spirea is a delicate perennial that is lovely cut for arrangements.

Hostas are another shade perennial that are faithful to come up each year. I have several varieties and I love this light green color.

I am growing milkweed for the first time to attract butterflies. Hopefully some monarchs! It has been fun identifying butterflies. View post here on the varieties I've enjoyed in my garden.

 In about a month the phlox will be blooming.

 I moved these benches from the back of the garden recently. The concrete bench I had here was moved to another spot. I'm enjoying the white color that lights up the garden in the evening and early morning as well as their comfort for seating.

I enjoy planting pentas each year because butterflies love them.  This has been the most beautiful and pleasant spring I can remember. The mornings have been slightly cool and it has been delightful to sit on the porch with my morning coffee enjoying the birds and flowers with no humidity. I know it can't last but I am so grateful to have had a long spring.

What do you have blooming in your garden?

                                                         Joining:

Linking to : Metamorphosis Monday, Show and Share,The Scoop, Inspire Me Tuesday, The Enchanting Rose, Wow Us , Share your Style Party, Tablescape Thursday, Thoughts of Home,Feathered Nest Friday, Home Sweet Home, Foodie Friday,Dishing It and Digging