Book Club Dinner

I hosted our Book Club Dinner this week 

and I thought you might like to see the pictures...

Come along with me.

Dinner was served on the porch.

It was a perfect evening.  Not too hot, not too cold.

It was still daylight when my friends arrived

and the gardens around the porch were in full bloom.

 I am so grateful to have the kind of friends that appreciate 

the efforts we make for each other! 

These fabulous peonies are from my sweet, generous friend Alice, 

whose fantastic gardens will be the subject of an upcoming post.  

Thank you, Alice.  

These are beyond gorgeous!

I set the table with some spring green favorites.

I just picked up these Moss Green Seneca Driftwood tumblers

at the Kane County Flea market this month-

I needed them the instant I saw them and I got them for a song.

I had a very strong sense of deja vu about them

 and I am pretty sure we must have had these in our house growing up.  

Any of my bros remember these?

I absolutely love them.  

I loved everything about the 70's and these take me right back.

The sterling candle holders belonged to my Mom.  

They graced her dining room table for years.

The china was Mom's. too.  All Haviland and Limoges.

The white plates were her wedding pattern 

and the delicate green floral plates were her mother's.

Sometimes it's actually good to be the only daughter...

The menu was simple and all done ahead so I could enjoy the time with my guests.

Dessert was simple, too. Mandarin Brownies and Chewy Lemon Cookies.

The brownies are made from a mix, but I add a teaspoon of orange oil to them 

for a chocolate orange flavor - my all time favorite chocolate combo.

 I made the lemon cookies from a recipe I saw on a blog- they were deeelicious!

I will definitely make these again!

In this picture, you can see the honeysuckle vines climbing up the porch column on the far left.

They are in full bloom and very fragrant.

Here's the honeysuckle vine along the path.

Close up.

These are so intricate and so beautiful!

As the sun began to set, my friends clamored to use the remote to turn on the candles...

It's nice to have friends who are such faithful readers!

In summary:

It was a wonderful evening with great friends.

Thanks for joining me!

 Linking to:

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

Thursdays Are Your Days at 52 Mantels

Open House Party at No Minimalist Here

Mission Possible Great Outdoors Party at It all Started With Paint

Sunday Showcase Party at Under the Table and Dreaming

Treasure Hunt Thursday at From My Front Porch to Yours

Uncommonly Yours Link Party

Home and Garden Thursday at Delightsome Life

Tuesdays Treasures at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia 

Transformation Thursdays at Shabby Creek Cottage 

{Living The Width} at TerpBlog 

Vintage Inspiration at Common Ground 

Cottage Garden Party at Fishtail Cottage 

Home Sweet Home at The Charm Of Home 

Time Travel Thursday at Brambleberry Cottage 

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage 

Inspiration Friday At The Picket Fence