I Went To A Garden Party...

On Sunday I trekked up to Nashua, NH for the first of what will no doubt be many garden parties this season at my friend Deanne's garden.  A visit to her home and garden is always a treat and without exception always involves swoon worthy food.  Deanne is one of a group of people I fondly refer to as my axe murderer and serial killer friends.  It was through an off topic forum on the Gardenweb Forums where I became a part of this group over ten years ago.  Gardens brought us together and have kept us together.  Many long term friendships have been forged from connections made through this group.

Geographically we are scattered throughout the US and Canada.  Once a year we schedule a long weekend (although the past few years it's been turning into a week) in a garden rich location and attempt to get as many of us together as possible.  Next month we will be gathering for the ninth straight year...hard to believe...

But enough of the sentimental drivel.  On to the garden and the food!  A frozen margarita was the perfect accompaniment to home made guacamole and shrimp cocktail (provided by the CT contingent) and a selection of stuffed olives and grape leaves (not pictured).

For the main course we dined on a scrumptious surf and surf meal-a combo of teriyaki marinated grilled salmon and scallop skewers-accompanied by fresh asparagus, and a green and pasta salad.

Monique outdid herself with dessert.  We decided the chocolate pot de creme topped with freshly whipped cream and served with a side of native strawberries soaked in Cointreau was the best dessert she has ever created...until whatever she creates next...

Be careful not to give up your seat at the table or these con artists will move right in.

In addition to creating fabulous garden spaces, Deanne is also a master photographer and posts hundreds of pictures of her garden on various forums throughout the season.  Since I'm a point and shoot hack, my goal in highlighting her garden is obviously not to try and compete with her photography but to find what I consider to be areas of her garden she doesn't often photograph herself.

Deanne was the first to acquire garden fish from Tyson Weiss.  A picture of this vignette is actually featured on the home page of his website.

Deanne is also an artist and professional decorative painter.  Art, much of it her creation, is displayed prominently throughout the garden.

One of Deanne's container borders.  She designs, plants and maintains over three hundred containers.

What can I say?  Occasionally Deanne opens her garden for various garden clubs and the Garden Conservancy but like most gardeners, she would welcome a visit from a fellow garden enthusiast any time.  Too far away to visit in person?  No problem-recently Deanne started blogging.  Check it out!