Anniversary Lawn Party

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Our croquet party last month was so much fun we decided to have another one with a different constituency but few participants so we could still allow for social distancing.

Our eponymous pins.

As I was planning this get-together I didn’t realize until the last minute that we could also celebrate our wedding anniversary. (I had previously given Charlie his gift of waterproof trousers in preparation for our trip to Iceland next month.)

This party actually began at 3 p.m. — an hour earlier than the one a month ago.

We invited fewer than a dozen friends to come to The Glade to play croquet and have some carefully distanced interaction.  Invitations went out via email.

Flowers and candles were placed around the party area.

The color scheme was yellow, blue, and green with some old pillows for inspiration.  Citronella candles, Tiki torches, and electric fans were employed to dissuade mosquitoes.

The blue, green, and yellow color scheme gave cheery nod to the end of summer party.

I even made some quick pillow covers for our outdoor throw pillows.

Skewered party food was kept in the refrigerator until it was served on a bed of ice.

All food was offered individually on skewers or in bags so each person could be assured that no one else at the party had touched his/her food.

Orange cherry tomatoes, yellow bell peppers, and mozzarella balls were marinated before being skewered.

Sug and I prepared all food with masks on.  Lots of wipes and sanitation elements were available.

The croquet course is set up in the foreground.

I laid out the half-size (50-feet long)  nine-wicket croquet course on the backyard lawn.

Guests were free to choose their color.

Chairs and tables were placed around the yard so folks could converse but still be distanced if they desired.

The game of croquet is more challenging than one might imagine.

Ice cream sandwiches were served at about the halfway point during the congenial croquet game.

Everyone was game to play croquet.

While this group was slightly larger than the first croquet party we were careful to stay safely distanced and disinfected.

The play was fun but serious.

The party ended with individual bags of S’mores fixings and skewers and conversation at the fire pit.

The yard is serene after the guests have gone.

I have loved having people at our home once again.

Jo

The S’mores Kit

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We have had two parties in the back yard over the past month each of which ended with the distribution of a s’mores kit.

S’mores Kits

They were very easy to put together and a big hit since they could be used on the spot at our fire pit or taken away as a party favor.

I used slightly different colored markers to differentiate the contents of the bag.

I bought some small white paper bags at a craft store on which I noted either dark chocolate or milk chocolate contents. Of course all the bags could be identical if desired.

Contents of the S’mores Kit

Each bag contained:

  • chocolate bar — either milk chocolate or dark chocolate

    Each bag had a full unwrapped candy bar.

  • 4 graham crackers packaged in wax paper
  • 4 marshmallows wrapped in plastic wrap

    The bags were packed with the contents in order of use — marshmallows on top.

  • and 1 telescoping fork (which was not a take home)

I brought them out on a tray after the game play was finished.

The bags were popular and everyone was delighted to partake.

Jo

Inspiration for Flower Arrangements

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In preparation for a second outdoor lawn party I made some quick pillow covers to brighten up the Adirondack chairs.

The new pillow covers

The pattern of this fabric is “A Field with Chicory” by Warner led itself to be recreated in real flowers.

The fabric inspired my attempt at flower arrangements for the tables.

Tangerines in vintage pottery with sprays of boxwood were a simple, inexpensive, and non-withering table decoration on a 90-degree day.

The table arrangements for the first party were simply tangerines in vintage pottery vases.

A variety of yellow garden flowers available in September.

I cut a variety of yellow flowers from our yard and the perennial garden at work.

The hydrangea hedge is a good source of flowers in multiple seasons.

Blue hydrangeas change colors at the end of summer.

I also cut some hydrangeas from our side yard which were dried and burnished.

We grow loads of iris which bloom in May and produce distinctive seed heads.

The only flower I did not have available were blue ones which really set off the yellows in the inspiration fabric. I used a little trick I discovered on our trip to Paris where brightly painted elements were added to the garden at Sacre Coeur.

Iris seed pods spray painted blue.

I cut some iris seed pods from our garden then spray painted them 3 shades of blue with paint from my stash.  It doesn’t take much paint.  I used 3 colors to give the pods dimension.

The blues and yellows look nice together.

I like an informal arrangement created by clumping like flowers together the way they grow in the garden, especially since they will be used outside.  I was able to get 4 bouquets from the flowers I had collected arranged in some of the same vintage vases as the tangerines above.

The floral arrangement goes well with the inspiration pillow (in the background).

I am eager to see these cheery seasonal flowers on our party tables.

Jo

Masquing

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I have a plan for next month which includes a party that will call for a disguise.

Even my avatar is masked.

Personally I have been wearing a mask that covers my nose and mouth to all events that include a number of people.

I found inspiration in this image.

I wanted to create a different kind of mask that would cover my upper face.

The sturdy mask is labeled papier mache.

I bought a plain white heavy paper mask at Michaels for $3 along with a couple packages of stick-on bling:  rhinestones and pearls.

I laid a piece of heavy paper behind the mask and traced the eyeholes, strap holes, and top to orient the extra piece.

The first order of business was to reshape the mask more like the inspiration.

Note the piece is not symmetrical.

I drew freehand a shape on the paper that looked similar to the inspiration mask.

It doesn’t look like much of an improvement. YET!

I cut the piece just above the eyeholes

One goal is to eliminate the line between the mask and the additional piece.

and taped it onto the back of the mask.

I wanted a hazy line between the two colors.

I spray painted half of the mask green and the other half white (and a little silver) using only spray paint I had on hand.  It didn’t take much.

After allowing the spray paint to fully dry I went over the white section of the mask with white nail polish.  I also highlighted some of the green areas with nail polish — above the eyehole and along the top edge.

Note how the paint and bling helps to disguise the edges at the top of the mask.

Then came the fun part: deciding where the bling should go.  I started by sticking a rhinestone flourish in the center of the top of the mask.  Then I added more rhinestones on the dark side to outline the top of the eyes and the additional piece of paper.  I cut shapes from the rhinestones to use only what would fit elegantly.

White on white is not very exciting.

The rhinestones did not contrast well on the white side of the mask.

A good old Sharpie to the rescue.

Instead I used pearls colored with a green Sharpie.

Stay tuned for the reason behind the masque!!!

After sticking sections of pearl swirls onto the white side I called it finished.

Inspiration

My creation

Some projects are just fun.

Jo

September, 2021: Plans

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September always seems like a new start — probably because it traditionally begins the school year.  Charlie and  I were married in September, the month that still feels like summer without the high heat and humidity.

  1.  Celebrate wedding anniversary.
  2. Work on a project:  shore house bed nook.  Paint and paper.

    Hope to finish soon.

  3.  Throw a party.

    We decided to recreate the Lawn Party with a new cast and color scheme.

  4.  See a movie:  The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel . 

    I need an exotic getaway.

  5.  Read a book:  The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. 
  6.  Collect all sporting equipment and sell or give away.

    Balls hang overhead in the shed — unnecessary.

  7. Make reservations and collect documents for Iceland trip.
  8. Research slipcover makers in the area.

    I would like to have white slipcovers made for my matching bergère chairs in the living room.

  9. Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: RENAISSANCE.
  10. Write a goal list for October, 2021.

Jo

August, 2021: Checked

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August turned out to be a productive and fun month.  Even the weather cooperated.

It was supposed to rain the afternoon of our party but it never happened. Yea!!

Although the Delta strain of Covid is running rampant and I’m  wearing a double mask again I have reintroduced some fun activities back into my schedule.

  • I’ve seen some movies at the local theatre:  Jungle Cruise, The Green Knight, Free Guy.
  • I whitened my teeth. (Really a pointless task since I wear a mask everywhere I go.)

    Even my avatar is masked.

  • I went out to dinner with friends.
  • I made some flowered pillow covers.

    I made slip-on covers for throw pillows.

I am committed to lightening my possessions and clearing the clutter.

  1. Get a haircut.  I made an appointment on the 4th of the month for the 27th.  It was the first haircut I’ve had since February, 2020.  Happy to have a little style back in the old tresses.
  2. Work on a cool project:  pond at the shore house.

    The orangish plants are bulrushes.

  3. Al fresco get-together.

    Croquet party with a photobomb by Rory.

  4.  See a movie: The Long, Hot Summer. A vintage movie with young Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward based loosely on the book in item 5 on this list.  I really enjoyed it.

    Orson Welles as Will Varner in The Long Hot Summer and, of course, Paul Newman.

    Orson Welles was a treat.

  5.  Read a book:   The Hamlet by William Faulkner.  Faulkner seemed so complex while I was reading the winding story.  In the end I’ve been enlightened and entertained and, at times, horrified.
  6.  Get rid of 20 books.

    I left a few novels in a local “Take a book; leave a book” Little Free Library.

  7. Repair shingle on east side of house.

    Before

    After

  8. Paint trim on round window.

    Painted and protected.

  9. Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: COMMITMENT .
  10. Write a goal list for September, 2021.

Jo

Ponding 2

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After sending new photos to the state pond expert we received the following reply:  “The brown water color could be from organic matter breaking down – leaves, etc.; fish stirring up sediment and soil; or clay particles washing in from nearby soils. What type of fish are in the pond? Do you see any fish: Koi and some catfish species can stir sediments and cause a brown color. ”

The driveway is a possible reason for suspended particles.

“From the photos, it appears there is a driveway nearby, and this could be a source of clay particles.

After 24-ours the pond water was light greenish but clear.

To test this, you can fill a clear jar with the pond water and see what settles after 24 hours. If the color still remains in suspension, then you can add a little of either gypsum (calcium sulfate), Epson salts (magnesium sulfate), aluminum sulfate (alum), or limestone (calcium carbonate) to see if the color settles. Epsom salt or garden limestone may be easier to find, but you only need a very small amount – 1/8 teaspoon in a quart jar. If the color settles, then it confirms suspended clay particles, and you can treat the entire pond.”

After adding about a teaspoon of Epsom salts the waster remained the same.

According to our expert at the University of Maryland Extension Agency  “the water settling test showed that it is not clay turbidity, rather, other dissolved organics and some phytoplankton. A brownish color that does not settle can also be an indication of tannins from decaying plant matter. Tannins are not harmful to aquatic life, but can reduce the pH of the water. (Do you have pH strips that you can measure the pH?) Take a measurement in the morning and later afternoon and let me know the results.”

The orangish plants are bulrushes.

I also sent a photo of the plants growing around the edges of the pond which are now flowering.  Our expert confirmed “the plant in the photos is called rufous bulrush (Scirpus pendulus) and is a good waterfowl and the roots provide habitat for a variety of aquatic organisms. The plant is also taking up nutrients, which is desirable.”

We’ll wait until fall to remove some of the overgrowth.

I asked if we could plant iris versicolor around the pond which was confirmed as a good choice. I have one to transplant from my garden at The Glade where it is NOT thriving.

There’s a lot to know about managing a pond.

The next step is to take the pH of the pond water as suggested by my expert and send him the results.

Ponding 1

Another Party Color Scheme

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Never liking to repeat myself exactly the same way twice, I decided that although we’re having another lawn party the color theme should change.

Orange pillows enhanced the Adirondack chairs at the fire pit.

Last time I went with Hermes orange for which I made a few simple pillow covers.

The bright, floral pillows will be festive in the middle of September.

This time I decided to use my yellow/blue flowered pillows as they are.

Unfortunately the pieces of fabric were not large enough to fashion 3 full pillow covers — long but narrow.

Since I have an additional 3 unmatched pillows that I also want to use, I checked my leftover fabric bin in the attic for something to coordinate.  Lo and behold, I found the exact fabric my mother had used and saved from her covering of the original pillows.  (Like mother — like daughter, Mother has been gone for over 11 years but I’m still saving her things.  Every once in a while something comes in handy.)

One of the panels was pieced with 3 remnants.

The same piece as above flipped right side out, top to bottom.

After some careful piecing, I made 3 pillow cases for my odd pillows.

Creature comforts around the fire pit.

Now I have 7 matching pillows to strew around the croquet lawn.

The pattern of this fabric is “A Field with Chicory” by Warner.

Can somebody say: FRUGAL?!

Jo

Get Your Game On

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Last month we planned a party for August that would take advantage of summer weather and our back large lawn.

A view of the croquet lawn from behind the players seating gallery.

We invited fewer than a dozen friends to come to The Glade to play croquet and have some carefully distanced interaction.

Invitations went out in emails.

Invitations were sent via email with the instructions that side dishes and desserts would be welcomed (but unnecessary) as long as they were individually wrapped.

Tangerines in vintage pottery with sprays of boxwood were a simple, inexpensive, and non-withering table décor on a 90-degree day.

The color scheme was Hermes orange, green, and white.  Citronella candles, Tiki torches, and electric fans were employed to dissuade mosquitoes.

Orange pillows enhanced the Adirondack chairs at the fire pit.

I even made some quick pillow covers for our outdoor throw pillows.

Our fruit skewers were stuck into a cantaloupe rind.

All food was offered individually on skewers or in bags so each person could be assured that no one else touched his/her food.  Sug and I prepared all food with masks on.

I was bold to hang a sign in the bathroom to keep us all safe.

Lots of wipes and sanitation elements were available.

By party time (4 p.m.) the croquet lawn was shaded over.

I laid out the half-size (50-feet long)  nine-wicket croquet course on the backyard lawn.

The only new purchase for the party was a patio umbrella.

Chairs and tables were placed around the yard so folks could converse but still be distanced if they desired.

Everyone was surprised just how challenging the game of croquet is.

Ice cream sandwiches were served at about the halfway point during the congenial croquet game.

Even with a fire in the fire pit guests chose to take their kits home due to the extreme heat of the day.

The party ended with individual bags of S’mores fixings and skewers.

Ladies wore sunhats.

Everyone was happy to have a chance to engage.  We have another similar party scheduled for next month.

Jo

Lawn Party Menu — Covid Edition

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We are so happy to be planning a party after a long hiatus.

We stuck loaded skewers into a half watermelon rind on ice.

Not wanting my guests to worry about eating from community bowls and having other people touch their food Sug and I loaded bamboo skewers and cocktail sticks with all manner of charcuterie, fruit, and goodies.  (We wore masks while preparing the food.)  The near skewers in the photo are marinated cherry tomatoes, orange bell peppers, and mozzarella balls.

Our fruit skewers were stuck into a cantaloupe rind.

The fruit skewers were of two varieties:

  • watermelon and blueberries
  • figs, grapes, and dried apricots

Guests were awed by the presentation.

The plate to the left of the watermelon has cantaloupe wrapped with ham  or salami.  A dish of cornichons and olives were placed in the middle of the jamon y melon platter.

Self-serve canned drinks were offered in a cooler near the food table.

Paper straws were held individually in a vintage glass flower frog.

We served a variety of ice cold sodas with paper straws.

Even with a fire in the fire pit guests chose to take their kits home due to the extreme heat of the day.

S’mores bags were designated dark or milk chocolate.  The labeled bags contained a candy bar, 4 marshmallows, and 4 Graham crackers.  Everything was individually wrapped.  Mini ice cream sandwiches served halfway through the croquet game filled the bill for something cold and sweet.

Individually wrapped packages of candy orange jellies.

Brightly colored face masks were a hit.

We also offered some party favors in the form of masks, prepackaged orange candies, and hot peppers from Charlie’s garden.

Cucumbers fresh from the garden.

I forgot to put cucumbers on the menu but guests were happy to take some of Charlie’s garden produce home.

Jo