You Making Party?

I've spent a good portion of mid to late morning outdoors today.  It IS a big deal!  I'm not a gardener or a yard-girl.  I feel bone tired ..like The Lady above but very satisfied and all I did was weed.  I'm most thankful that I have a gaggle of girlfriends from different parts of the country.  Pictures show their efforts in the yard and every once in a while I get inspired. 

I dream of living by the sea...

                                                 (photo by Sandi)

 or to have a forest in my backyard!

                                                                                             (Photo by Deborah)

Then again, to have a green thumb.  Period.

(Photo by Jennifer)

Oh, to traipse through the snow...in THIS setting!

(Photo by Mary)

But, here we are in suburban Texas.  My yard lacks personality; therefore, I must make up for the lack in other areas.  With Easter round the bend and company coming...I gotta spruce up the place.  I hope the weather allows us to have a

Tracy Porter-inspired-outdoor-brunch Sunday morning.

We'll bring out the 8' long Home Depot table.  Cover it with an old, shabby rug, bedspread or several table cloths.  I'll move two wicker arm chairs from upstairs to the head(s) of this table.  And, since I'm all about the hi-low in clothing, decorating AND entertaining....my table will sport:

• 
  
  Plates from Dollar Tree
• 
  
  Crystal from my Mom
• 
  
  Bamboo flatware from Big Lots interspersed with Mom's sterling
• 
  
  Monogrammed cloth napkins from Ballard Designs           
• 
  
                    (Photo by Kelly)
• 
  
  A BIG centerpiece inspired by Kelly above and...
• 
  
  Nell Hill rattan chargers (they dress up my $1 plates!)

Hospitality IS my thing.  Yards and gardening, not so much.  If I don't get to everything in the yard I hope my guests won't notice.  I'll have to make my table extra special so the focus is on it! 

Recently I met the owner of a restaurant to reserve their room for an event.  A waiter with a really thick (unknown) accent said to me:  "You making party?"  I knew what he meant.  And loved what he said.  And thus replied:  "I am!"

It's Tuesday.  I'm (pretending to be a) gardener, browsing through cookbooks, swapping recipes with friends....all because I'm making a party!  And I so love a good party!

Happy Easter!

xoxo