This year’s Garden Party & Ladies Lunch was an outstanding success! With such an amazing group of friends our garden party was bound to be enjoyable, lively, and fun.
I had been preparing all week for Sunday’s garden party. After a few days of 90-degree temps, and a day of solid rain, I was worried the weather may not cooperate. But when Sunday finally arrived, I was relieved to see the weather forecast was calling for a pleasant cool afternoon.
I started the day by making a big bowl of my signature yogurt dessert. Then I moved on to making a lemonade green tea drink. The last time we hosted a garden party I had made sangria and the ladies loved it, so I decided to make it again. Once the sangria was done, I got started on baking a few samosas. Since we had pretty much set up everything for the party the day before, everything was ready.
Hitesh, Anjali and Rani were our in-house valet for the afternoon. They graciously helped direct parking for everyone, and assisted the ladies with their dishes, purses, and baskets.
Our friends showed up at 12:30 p.m. elegantly dressed and ready to have a good time. A leisurely lunch was in order this Sunday and all the ladies looked happy to be relaxing in the company of friends old and new.
The idea behind this wonderful gathering of ladies was to give my friends from all walks of life a chance to meet new people and make new friends.
Even Hitesh, my Dad, Anjali, and Rani were mingling and seemed to be enjoying the moment.
It was turning into an awesome party with a festive mood. Everybody seemed to be having a fun time.
Our friends brought the most delicious selection of food imaginable. Tossed green salad, quinoa salad, butter bean salad, fresh fruit, Indian dishes, cheese platters, casseroles, a veggie platter, eggplant spread, pastas, baked treats, and sweets were contributed by all. We were swimming in food, all enticing and a feast for the eyes.
The food was just out of this world!! The wonderful variety of cuisine in different colors, textures, and flavors was just amazing. Everything looked and tasted scrumptious.
We enjoyed the food buffet and sat down for a feast.
A few of us had lunch outside in the courtyard next to the warmth of our outdoor fireplace. My Dad was delighted to give these ladies company and get to know them better.
Some of our friends hung out in our family room and kitchen.
Another group of ladies huddled around our dining table.
After a delectable lunch, we headed outside to stroll in the garden.
The highlight of the garden tour as expected was our fenced-in veggie patch. The ladies lingered in this area forever. Everyone was just relaxing in this little patch of heaven with views of the surrounding hills. This veggie patch is also my favorite area of the garden.
Following our walk in the garden, we headed back for dessert and tea. ANZAC biscuits, decadent brownies, Florentine bars, date-nut cookies, Greek yogurt dessert, and a beautiful fresh fruit platter were our amazing sweet treat cornucopia.
A few of my friends requested recipes of their favorite food dishes. I will post these once I have collected them.
It turned out to be a perfect afternoon! I want to acknowledge Hitesh, Anjali, Rani and my Dad for all their help pulling this party together.
We ended the party at 4pm after a wonderful afternoon spent with a fabulous group of women. Even if half the ladies who came feel relaxed and happy after they left the party then I accomplished my objective, which was to give all the women who do so much for their families an afternoon of relaxation in our home and garden, an opportunity to socialize with friends, and to partake of delectable food and drinks.
By the end of the day Anjali and Rani my assistant hostesses were tired and took a snooze after the party.
This was by far one of the best garden parties I have ever hosted. I want to thank ALL my friends who came and made this year’s garden party truly memorable. I couldn’t have done it without all of you. I look forward to doing this again next year.
