And The Secret Garden Bloomed And Bloomed….
Yes, it certainly did bloom with about 50 friends according to the Captain’s count.
You see this past week-end, the Captain and I entertained with our annual Christmas Open House….and I must tell you that my Secret Garden never looked better, as it was graced with all the happy faces of our cherished friends.
And the Secret Garden bloomed and bloomed….
And The Secret Garden Bloomed And Bloomed….
Yes, it certainly did bloom with about 50 friends according to the Captain’s count.
You see this past week-end, the Captain and I entertained with our annual Christmas Open House….and I must tell you that my Secret Garden never looked better, as it was graced with all the happy faces of our cherished friends.
And the Secret Garden bloomed and bloomed….
….which is a line I borrowed from one of my favorite books, “The Secret Garden” by Frances Hodgson Burnett, and the namesake of my own private Secret Garden.
This intimate outdoor room surrounded by towering hibiscus plants in shades of reds and pinks, is also my early morning quiet time retreat…. And in the evening it changes into this magical garden of hundreds of green twinkling lights dancing in and among the plants and palm trees.
Saturday evening, it was aglow with bright red Christmas candles and lots of food and laughter,
… hence it bloomed and bloomed with our wonderful guests.
I apologize for not taking pictures of all the guests and food. The Captain and I were very busy playing host and hostess.
However, there were plenty of pictures being taken as I witnessed guests taking pics in front of the 12 foot living room tree, the fireplace, the lanai and of course the Secret Garden. So if perhaps any of our guests reading this post want to share their photos…please feel free to do so.
Picture this…..
The Secret Garden’s rectangle table was all decked out in a red plaid tablecloth and laden with the many platters of deli ham, turkey, cheeses, chicken tenders, condiments, ham and cheese roll ups, chips and dips and those wonderful Hawaiian rolls. The Captain did all the food arranging along with the help of our guests, Maggie, Claudia, Jennifer, and Pat…just to name a few that I saw. (We are very informal here). This table had literally wall-to-wall food, as well as the extra table, also adorned with a buffalo red check tablecloth that we brought out to assist the Christmas cookies and other desserts.
And where was the hostess?
I was playing the part of the tour guide… and by the end of the evening…this tour guide’s feet were ready for some lay-up time! 🙂
You might be asking why did there need to be a tour guide if we were among friends.
If you know me, then you know I love Christmas and I love to decorate for Christmas.
Each room has it’s own Christmas Tree….and each tree has a story to tell.
Yep, There are trees and more trees, all decorated with a different theme….and of course there are the vignettes of Christmas everywhere.
I will have my Christmas tour 2016 in a future post…showing more details in each room.
Christmas and the build-up to it can be very stressful but I hope you all take the time to really take pleasure in the season and the festivities.
Although there will be other parties to go to…our Christmas party is over…that is the good thing about having it early in December. Now, the Captain and I can sit back and enjoy all the trees and lights. It is like our own little fairy land.
And we can enjoy the season and the reason for the season.
It is magic!
Blessings and hugs
Kari…it all looks beautiful. May YOU and the CAPTAIN enjoy the holiday season. Merry Christmas! K & J
Thanks Karole…wish you were here! Merry Christmas to you and John, talk to you soon.
Hugs