Outdoor Party

There are some people in this world who are talented at throwing great parties. You know the kind of parties I'm referring to -- where you feel so welcome, where the conversation is easy, where the kids are entertained, and the food is...well, divine? I'm blessed to have some amazing friends who have this talent. Last week we attended their farewell to summer and hailing-in-autumn party.

Outdoor tables were decorated with candles and wildflower bouquets. Arbours and trellises ladened with late-blooming roses perfumed the air. We dined on warm spinach artichoke dip, smoky barbaqued chicken, gourmet hotdogs wrapped in bacon and topped with grilled red and green peppers, applebars with cinnamon icing, and homemade lemon cream pie.

Baby C found a chair and table just her size. She was perfectly content sitting in her comfy pink chair munching on a hot dog and watching the older kids play a game of football on the lawn.

My friend strung tissue-butterflies from her arbour next to the roses.

And the outdoor mural painting was pure genius.

Even the sprinkle of rain near the end of the evening seemed almost planned, not dampening the festivities in the least. The raindrops released the smell of sweet, wet grass and made the football game (with the added slippery footing) that much more exciting.

It's perfect moments like these...candles, laughter, sips of ice-cold rootbeer, paint on fingertips and noses, sitting by a friend, sampling my second dessert (okay, third), and heralding in autumn...that make life so good.

Thank you dear friends for a wonderful night!