Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Lovely evenings...........with friends and twinkle lights


Maryann is my happiest friend. Always a smile, always pleasure in her voice, always looking to bring people together. And she does, each and every summer she and her husband gather us together for a annual outdoor party. A large group of lively friends, fabulous food, twinkle lights everywhere, a different table theme each year, and after dinner...............her husband's famous hummers. Which are most decadent and perfect at about 11 pm on a hot summer night. 


Maryann is a working girl so pulling together this annual feast is no small effort. She gets her ever-changing garden in order, the colour scheme picked, the menu planned, the weather tracked, the twinkle lights strung, the wine selected, the food prepared, and this year they even provided take-home containers. Nothing more perfect than having a few bites of an incredible meal the next day. 


Her delicious shrimp appetizer was a big hit this year.


Her husband Ken grilled the most incredible veal chops we ever tasted. You get these at a butcher in the Eastern Market in Detroit, Michigan. Yes.............those divine potatoes are simmered in cream.


Don't you just love wonderfully gracious and happy people? 






Photos by Sande Chase ~ A Gift Wrapped Life

26 comments:

  1. Love it ? a million times, yes !! Your friend Maryann is a gem, i so admire this form of entertaining, all the effort and the grace put in it...may i steal the take-home containers idea ? this is so great ! :-)

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  2. Sande,

    Wonderful food, great friends, beautiful setting, and it's summer! Who could ask for anything more. You are right it is a wonderful life. Cheers!

    Bette

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  3. The joy of life is to always have something to do, someone to love, something to share and something to hope for.
    You're lucky to have friends and enjoys their company.

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  4. It sounds like Maryann has really learned how to use her talents in the most special way-to show her love to her friends. I am sure that you leave her home feeling cherished and inspired. And that grilled veal and shrimp appetizer looks delicious!

    Mandy

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  5. Maryann is a beautiful woman, in so many ways! Don't you feel so lucky to be in the presence of these people! What a beautiful night, and oh, potatoes and cream...bliss!

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  6. This looks like it was an amazing evening!

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  7. Dear Sande,
    First of all, sorry that I haven't been around for a while.....I've been staying with my sister but, I'm back in the land of blogging again. That's the trouble when you've been away......it takes ages to get back on track !!
    Your evening with Maryann looks as if it was wonderful. Maryann has such a lovely, kind face and I like her just from the photograph ....and, I want to eat the shrimp cocktail NOW !!
    ....and finally..... you can't beat twinkly fairy lights. There is nothing better to give a wonderful ambience. XXXX

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  8. What a great party. Am working on a birthday for Mitchell in August and hope it will be half as nice. Hope I can find some lights! Those are so pretty!

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  9. love love love it! But then, the nicest people always do have the nicest friends!

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  10. Beautiful party...love how the appetizer was served in those mason jars, great looking. Nothing is better than great food and even better friends to share it with.

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  11. "Happy people"...well, sometimes it is hard, indeed, to find them. I am always, without fail, a "glass half full" person. It's very difficult and so tiring to be with those who are "glass half empty". What makes us the way we are? Personality? Circumstances? Hard to say. This was a lovely post Sande...

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  12. What a wonderful evening. How lovely to have such a night. And nothing beats a good twinkle light.

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  13. Certainly looks like a gorgeous moment in time. Sande can you please tell me what a hummer is?

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  14. What a sweet & darling friend MaryAnn is! Her smile is more twinkly than the lights:) This looks like the most perfect evening Sande~~~
    Big Hugs from Me to You!
    XO

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  15. Yes I do Sande.....What a gorgeous party....xv

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  16. Oh I love the twinkle lights in the leaves... so magical! What a lovely post - nothing better than wonderful friends in a beautiful setting with delicious food!

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  17. What a lovely meal! Love outdoor dining! Enjoy the fabulous day, Kellie xx

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  18. I agree with your lovely friend, Mary Ann. When you prepare a special meal for special people not only do you prepare delicious food, but you "gift wrap" it by the ambience and presentation. It is a gift to those you feel are special. It takes more effort, but so does a beautifully wrapped gift. It shows people they are special and you are willing to go the extra to show them that they are.

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  19. i do. i do.
    i love happy gracious peeps.

    what a lovely setting you have made for them.
    who wouldn't be happy?

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  20. this is how summer nights are meant to be enjoyed

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  21. Nice friends, nice party, nice food .. all make for a wonderful and memorable evening.

    All the best, Katie from
    www.westiejulep.blogspot.com

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  22. Sande ~

    Your summer is amazing ~ as are your truly wonderful friends!

    I always enjoy annual gatherings...they are so very special.

    Keep on living the good life as I know you will!

    Bisous,
    Melissa

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  23. What a special friend and a simply delightful get together. Those are the very best kind. Thanks so much for sharing. Mona

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  24. Absolutely!! Looks like a marvelous evening - LOVE veal chops on the grill. Maryann is the kind of friend everyone needs!!

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  25. Oh I do indeed, people to treasure. How totally wonderful...but it does not surprise me that you attract wonderful people Sande.

    love DJ

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Your comments are such a lovely addition to my day. Thank you.

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