Last week I spent most of my time in the gardens, weeding, planting, and edging, getting ready for the annual pot luck brunch we host for our exercise class. I thought this year we might not have many attend, but when it was time to sit down, about thirty people had joined us.
We lucked out on seating. One of the men offered to bring chairs. I never thought to discuss with him just how many chairs he was bringing. He brought eight. My niece's four folding chairs were still here from Easter (Thank you, Sweetie!), and Elegante Mother has four folding chairs. I began to think we might have to use a bench, and the two vanity seats from my bathroom, and maybe the office chairs, to get everyone seated. It turned out just right. I'm sure there's an angel who sits on my shoulder. There just has to be someone watching over me.
The meal was wonderful, as usual. There were several exceptional fresh fruit salads, all sorts of deserts, and a yummy Mediterranean salad that I plan to make tonight! On Thursday, I made a huge pan of baked ziti, and cooked about four pounds of beef brisket. Friday morning, Elegante Mother made her homemade barbecue sauce, and I shredded the brisket and combined the sauce and beef in a Crockpot. I'd picked up small dinner rolls for those who wanted to try the barbecue, rather than the usual large buns. Everyone wants a "taste" of the food, so the smaller rolls were just right. When I went to clean up after our friends left, I told EM that we'd had a horde of locust come through. There was enough barbecue left for about one and a half servings! I guess it must have made a hit.
The gardens were at their peak on Wednesday of last week. Thursday we had 40 mph winds all day long. I was surprised that the iris and peonies made it through the wind. I went out early Friday morning to deadhead, and there were enough blooms left to make a beautiful show. I have to apologize. I didn't get pictures. This was one year when I really SHOULD have taken pictures, too, because we had a number of new iris open that are spectacular.
I thought this weekend was supposed to be bright and sunny, good sailing weather. Instead, it's been a little on the cool side and overcast. They think we might get another shower or two today. I won't complain. We are desperate for precipitation, and anything that saves me having to pull hoses out to the extended gardens is just fine with me! But, the rain was VERY hard on the peonies. I'm afraid that our season will be beautiful and very short. Dear Husband told me that as he was mowing the lawns, he saw people walk up our drive to see the gardens. :-) I didn't realize that I'd had visitors. I'll have to get to work on the summer gardens now.