Overview
Dinner under the stars in a formal garden, a tea amid the roses, rustic breakfast in an Adirondack camp, a harvest luncheon . . . these are parties that celebrate the best that nature has to offer, paired with food and drink perfect for the surroundings. You know how much enjoyment and relaxation your garden brings you—why not share it with friends and family? Throughout Garden Parties, Suzy Bales inspires fancifully fun parties that transform outdoor spaces into enchanting playgrounds for the senses—the plants, the decor, and the food intermingle to create truly memorable themes.But Garden Parties isn’t just a beautiful book for inspiration. It’s also eminently practical, with how-to instruction on prolonging the life of cut flowers, constructing wreaths, and using a birdbath as an hors d’oeuvres stand, as well as making edible treats such as candied petals, floral-decorated ice cubes, and flowers for salads and garnishes.
And Garden Parties is packed with delicious recipes perfect for the occasion: the spring luncheon features the spring treasures Asparagus Bundles with Chives and Lemon Butter, Mustard and Garlic Grilled Butterflied Leg of Lamb with Fresh Mint Sauce, and Creamy Watercress Soup; the midsummer eve’s romantic dinner includes seductive Champagne Framboise, Seared Scallops on Rose Petals, and Blooming Salad. All the recipes are designed to utilize advance preparation, allowing you to greet and enjoy your guests instead of struggling with last-minute details.
Whether you have a pocket-sized terrace in the city, a simple suburban backyard, or extravagant country acres, your garden can provide the inspiration and the setting for the perfect party. Garden Parties shows you how.