Charlie and I with the help of Sug are planning a party on Midsummer Evening.

Midsummer is celebrated on June 24 and it’s a day that’s meant for us to appreciate all the gifts that nature gives us. With roots in pagan times, Midsummer is a celebration of the summer solstice, but it is also a celebration of life and love. The summer solstice marks the longest day of the year and that lands on June 20, but because the old Julian calendar marked it differently, the date for Midsummer Day remains June 24.  The holiday was originally a pagan celebration to honor weather gods and celebrate the summer but later conquering Christians adopted the holiday as a birthday for St. John the Baptist and the two holidays merged into one summer festival. The celebration involves a lot of food and flowers, so preparations start early in the day with cooking and picking wild flowers.

The invitation went out by email asking invitees to dress in “whatever Boho means to you!!” The following suggestions were included but not exhaustive:

•          Tie-dye
•           Ethnic design
•           Peasant clothes
•           Maxi dress
•           Caftan
•           Flowy Fabrics
•           Flared Jeans
•           Funky Prints
•           Mixed Prints
•           Earth Tones
•           Fringe

I have chosen an inherited Indian print long skirt to wear with a silk shirt.  Charlie has a comfortable cotton shirt and jeans to fit the bill.

My color scheme is pink, deep pink, blue, white (no red, turquoise, orange or yellow) which I will support with blue hydrangeas, pink Joe Pye weed, pink and white roses, white astilbe, and thistles.

Last week I recovered our outdoor occasional pillows to tie into both the color scheme and Bohemian theme.

The menu will be simple as befits an evening party which need not include a meal.  I do have one surprise which I hope will get everyone into the party mood (see photo).

Jo