Hello
Summer!
Colorado
Summers! We love to be outdoors and I know few places where people appreciate
entertaining outdoors more than in Colorado. We help people plan events
of all kinds and I wanted to share some ideas with you.
Summer
entertaining is casual and interactive. Impromptu dinner parties, evening
barbecues can happen with a phone call. Guests are invited to bring
their own dishes; wine tastings/tapas style dinners are fun. Doing some
“ plan ahead” makes it easy for you too. Here are some tips:
1.
Take a look at your outdoor space. Plan an outdoor bar where guests
can serve themselves a drink or you as host can stay with your guests
while offering refreshment. Plan a space for buffet, or snacks, and
another for sit down dining.
2. Rethink the Umbrella table. An awkward shape for dining with the
pole in the center, it makes a perfect outdoor bar, easily accessible,
the right size and protection from the sun! Using a square, round or
oblong table for dining is easier for food serving, elbow room and conversation,
and can be set with mats, cloths and china much easier than umbrella
tables.
3. Put together a basket for decorating. Have clippers, knife, moss,
raffia, tape and oasis there for last minute table décor. Use
containers you love for flowers- water pitchers, casserole crocks, and
serving bowls make beautiful flower arrangement.
4. Use the colors you have in your garden area for your flower designs-it
completes a space.
5. Clip and trim-any flower that has a woody stem can usually be used
for a centerpiece, and don’t forget foliages and fruits-they make
spectacular designs and you will not need to go to the store!
6. Call your florist-a good florist is a wellspring of ideas to help
7. Enjoy! Part of the summer entertaining experience is sharing with
your friends-let them be part of the evening, helping to cook, serve
and clean up is half the fun!
Karen
Novotny owns the Garden Path Co. in Castle Pines. She specializes in
European style floral design for all occasions, including weddings,
parties and special event co-ordinating.
