Monday, June 18, 2012

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!

14 comments:

  1. Can't beat that girl at ANYTHING! Just amazing. It's true, we don't often see the pond and accompanying art work. Doug's salmon is divine...and I'm sure all the rest is too. Monique's dessert is killing me RIGHT NOW! The kitties are their handsome selves. But that last shot...simply sweet!

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  2. Great post and homage to Chez' Fortnam ..that desert looks like a killer!

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  3. Oh what fun it is to see the gardens through another set of eyes! Thanks Sue! It looks so nice and you didn't get any of the 'problem areas' either, LOL. I especially LOVE that last shot of Doug doing his thing at the grill and also love, love, love the pic of the grapes urn from standing on the bench. That looks awesome from that view and I never thought of doing that.

    The very best thing the Internet did for me is bringing our garden group together. Our friendships have so enriched my life....

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    1. Deanne, I did see a weed in one of the pictures. Oh well-we all have them! A couple of pictures I wanted didn't come out well enough to include them. I guess I'll have to come back and try again :).

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    2. Any time Sue, any time! ~~~ yes I saw that weed in the Berry Smoothie pic... Jeesh... how can that be?

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  4. This post is very interesting and it also helpful for us. liking stuff like this blog as well as this has now given me Some inspiration To succeed, ever so Appreciate it.

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    1. Thanks for visiting and sharing your thoughts. I feel fortunate to have so much garden inspiration around me to share.

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  5. Well Blogged Sue. Love the choice of highlighted photos. Visiting her gardens is always amazing and changes by the week as new things bloom and others go by until next year.

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    1. Thanks Deb. I wish I lived closer so I could join you for a Friday night gathering once in a while.

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  6. Glad Deanne mentioned Doug at the grill, because I never noticed any humans with all that amazing garden and food to see. Great post, Sue, but it is a tad cruel to post photos of Monique's pot de creme...

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    1. Denise you need to make an appearance on the right coast and sample Monique's desserts in person!

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  7. Sue, that garden and garden party look delicious (love the reference to Rick Nelson's song, whose lyrics are more profound than he was given credit for). Much to enjoy in your images, including a cat that could be my Buuud reincarnated.

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    1. Alfresco dining and gardens make the perfect summer pair, don't they? Deanne's cats are Bengals with good taste-they were after the shrimp cocktail.

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