• About GH&P
  • Contact Us

Garden, Home & Party

~ My love of gardening, making home comfortable and entertaining friends and family.

Garden, Home & Party

Monthly Archives: July 2014

{Party} Recent entertaining and recipes

23 Wednesday Jul 2014

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Food, Recipes

≈ 32 Comments

Tags

orzo salad recipe

Hello sweet readers!  How is your summer going?  Has it been filled with fun and relaxation?

Garden, Home and Party: Easy entertaining, recipe

{source}

I’ve been negligent where the “party” part of my blog is concerned so I thought I’d share a recent menu for a very simple summer barbecue we hosted earlier this month.  When I say simple well,  that might be an understatement.

Menu

Appetizer – we prepared a simple cheese board with crackers, almonds and a couple of cheeses we enjoy

Main Course – Grilled Santa Maria Tri Tip

Orzo Salad

Dessert – Fleur de Sel Chocolate Chip Cookies with Vanilla Ice Cream

Super simple.  Below is the recipe for the orzo salad.  The Tri Tip we used came from Costco:  Bailey’s Pre-Marinated Tri Tip.  I adapted the orzo recipe from Ina Garten’s recipe for Roasted Shrimp & Orzo.  I knew I wanted to prepare the Santa Maria Tri Tip so I didn’t need the shrimp.  If you would like to see her original recipe it can be found HERE.  The chocolate chip cookie recipe is Nestle’s Toll House recipe with 2 changes.  I used Ghiradelli Bitter Sweet Chocolate Chips and before baking I sprinkled the tiniest pinch of flaked fleur de sel.  The cookies were a hit and our friends thought it was some fancy new recipe.

Garden, Home and Party

Orzo Salad Recipe

 {source for image below}Garden, Home and Party: entertaining, easy recipe

Garden, Home and Party: entertaining, easy recipe

{source}

We enjoyed appetizers under the trees and when it began to cool down we moved to the dining room for the dinner and dessert.

 Garden, Home and Party: entertaining, easy recipe

Garden, Home and Party: entertaining, easy recipe

Garden, Home and Party: entertaining, easy recipe

Garden, Home and Party: entertaining, easy recipe

{source}

*Readers that don’t have a Costco or a Trader Joe’s nearby here’s a recipe for Santa Maria Tri Tip:  http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/santa_maria_style_tri_tip/

Garden, Home and Party: entertaining, easy recipeI wish you a Happy Week during this summer season.  If you have questions concerning the recipe, please email me or leave a comment, I promise to try to answer any and all questions.  I will be taking a bit of time off from blogging as Olivia, our granddaughter, is coming to stay with us for a couple of weeks (oh, and her mommy and daddy will be joining us for one of the two weeks).  ♥

 

{Garden} Inspiration for the garden – Chelsea Flower Show

18 Friday Jul 2014

Posted by Karen B. in Flowers, Gardening, Gardens, Outdoor living

≈ 70 Comments

Tags

Chelsea Garden Show, Garden Tours in England

RERUN ALERT:  I shared this post at the end of April but I couldn’t resist re-posting so that I could join Anita over at her beautiful blog site Castles Crowns and Cottages, where she’s inviting all of us to share our favorite destination.  England captured my heart years ago and I will share a bit about the Chelsea Flower Show.  I’ve never been but it’s a dream!  Because this post coincided with an eye to spring in the garden I am sharing additional inspiration for creating a pretty garden.  I hope you enjoy and will stop by for a visit sometime. ♥

Garden, Home and Party:  Castles & Crowns linky party

Here we find ourselves on the last day of the month of April (where’s the time going?).  There’s been weeks of activity in the garden if you are an enthusiast and if you happen to live in a climate like my neck of the woods, Southern California.  Gardening is pretty much a year-round hobby here.

Garden, Home and Party: Garden inspiration

Still, there’s always interest for me to see what others are doing to their own yards and as usual, I gain the inspiration I’m seeking to create a new corner or change out a fledgling flower bed, from fellow blogging friends and international gardens posted on the internet.

Garden, Home and Party: Garden inspiration

{Charlotte Moss}

Garden Home and Party: Garden inspiration

Garden, Home and Party: Garden inspiration

{Restoring our 1890 Victorian, Victoria Elizabeth Barnes}

Above, I’ve added Helebores to my wish list when they’re available.  Below, don’t you love this clever use of grass and concrete squares.  Not to mention, it would be so great to have an outdoor fireplace.

Garden, Home and Party: Garden inspiration

{5th and State}

Tone on Tone just published a great post on his blue garden, published in Southern Living magazine.  I’ve made a list of blue flowers for my own garden.

Garden, Home and Party: Garden inspiration

{Tone on Tone – Loi’s beautiful blue garden}

Garden, Home and Party: Garden show

This year my friend, Carla, happens to be going to the Chelsea Flower Show (May 20 – 24th). With the show’s 100 year anniversary behind them (2013), I’d guess this year may be an impressive show of innovative and unique gardens.  Maybe it’s that way every year, but I like to think there’s always a wave of extra talent after a big anniversary of something as wonderful as the Chelsea Flower Show.

The first year (1913) Chelsea Flower Show was introduced there were 244 exhibitors, last year there were over 500.  The show attracts over 150,000 visitors each year.  It’s on my bucket list.  I know I’d love it

Garden, Home and Party: Garden inspiration

{via}

Garden, Home and Party: Garden inspiration

{via}

…and for those of you who would like to have their very own folly…here is a company that will build it for you.  They entered the Chelsea Garden Show with this little gem.

Garden, Home and Party: Garden inspiration{via}

Since we’re speaking of gardens in England, this past fall the Los Angeles Times travel section featured a list of gardens you can visit more than once per year in England.  The Stone House Garden in Cheltenham, Goucestershire was appealing to me for the home as much as the grounds.  Started by a garden hobbyist, Katie Lukas, she developed her garden on the 2 1/2 acres surrounding her Cotswold home.

Garden, Home and Party: Garden inspiration

{photo by Nan Sterman}

No surprise, Cambridge University Botanic Garden, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire offers a learning experience in addition to the wonderful gardens presented.  There’s a garden where plants are grouped by the era in which they were introduced to the British Isles.  I selected this image since I was surprised the garden features our own California Poppy!

Garden, Home and Party: Garden inspiration

{photo by Nan Sterman}

What would a garden tour be without a garden by a castle?  Broughton Castle, Banbury, Oxfordshire is a 700-year old castle.  There are sheep on the grounds (wouldn’t it be great to look out your window to green rolling hills, dotted with sheep?  {Maybe I’ve seen one too many period piece movies and PBS presentations?} Climbing roses, “lushly planted garden borders” and more, this one is on my list. To read more and to get ideas for your garden visit HERE.

Garden, Home and Party: Garden inspiration

Garden, Home and Party: Garden inspiration

My own garden can always use a little tweaking.  I hope to work on the area under the bottle brush tree (the red blossoming tree in this picture).  The roots are so prohibitive to digging and such.  I am currently doing some homework on finding plants that need next to nothing but will grow and thrive in spite of adverse conditions.  Any suggestions?

Have you started planning / planting  your garden?  Any new projects on the table?

{Garden, Home and Party} A designer to love…Melissa Ervin

09 Wednesday Jul 2014

Posted by Karen B. in Designer, House and Home

≈ 37 Comments

Tags

Melissa Erwin

The internet facilitates a lot of happy connections for fans of any particular activity or subject.  As a design enthusiast, I’m always excited to be introduced to a new [to me] designer.  Sometimes the way I stumble upon them is surprising, although by now it shouldn’t surprise me what can be found online.

That is exactly what happened the other day.  I started my morning with my “must read blog favorites”.   Talk of the House is one that always entertains.  Kelly does a fantastic job sharing wonderful places to visit, things to do, and in this particular post, shared 21 beautiful window boxes.  One of the homes she featured caught my attention and I left my comment with Kelly and went to visit the source for this charming home.

Garden, Home and Party: Designer Missi Erwin

{source}

That link took me to another blog site.  Holly Mathis Interiors.  There I learned that this particular home was on the cover of Southern Living Magazine this past March and Holly provided the link to see the article.  It turns out Holly has been helping the owners with the interior of this home.  If you’d like to see the inside of this charmer, visit HERE.

While viewing the slideshow at Southern Living of this home (above), I found another cottage that looked interesting… {still with me?} I followed that link and met (figuratively speaking) Melissa “Missi” Ervin of Charleston, South Carolina {thank you, Southern Living and all involved on this magical tour of great cottages and a wonderful designer}.

Melissa a native of South Carolina, earned a degree in design from Clemson University.  After graduation, she earned her architectural license while working in the field.  Her passion for interior design deepened while working for several significant interior design firms for a decade before starting her firm, Melissa Ervin Interior Design in 2008.

With her architectural background and her years of design experience, she has a talent for creating timeless beauty in the homes she works on.

For Charleston, South Carolina, Designer Missi Ervin and homeowner Sam Cato, renovating a former horse stable and carriage house in Aiken meant returning the historic cottage to its equestrian roots. – Southern Living

A Horse Stable Turned Cottage from her portfolio and the Southern Living feature is my favorite.  I invite you to visit her site for more wonderful design inspiration.  Enjoy the tour…

Garden, Home and Party: Melissa Ervin

Garden, Home and Party: Melissa Erwin

Garden, Home and Party: Melissa Erwin

Garden, Home and Party: Melissa Ervin

Garden, Home and Party: Melissa Ervin

Garden, Home and Party: Melissa Erwin

Garden, Home and Party: Melissa Erwin

Garden, Home and Party: Melissa Erwin

Garden, Home and Party: Melissa Erwin

Garden, Home and Party:  Melissa Erwin

Garden, Home and Party:  Melissa Erwin

Garden, Home and Party: Melissa Erwin

Garden, Home and Party: Melissa Erwin

Garden, Home and Party: Melissa Erwin

Garden, Home and Party: Melissa Erwin

Garden, Home and Party: Melissa Erwin

Garden, Home and Party: Melissa Erwin

I hope you’ve enjoyed meeting Melissa Erwin.  Be sure to visit her site for more of her work.

Karen 

Happy Independence Day ~ 4th of July

02 Wednesday Jul 2014

Posted by Karen B. in Independence Day

≈ 34 Comments

Tags

Independence Day

I hope you have plans for a wonderful, restful,  long holiday weekend.  I always consider the 4th of July to be the official start to summer.

Garden, Home and Party: Independence Day 2014

Here in Southern California we often endure “June gloom” which means most mornings we wake up to low clouds and fog with the sun breaking through sometime after noon.  July starts the warmer, sun-filled days and temperatures to encourage more outdoor time than indoors.

Garden, Home and Party: Independence Day

Dining outside is routine now through mid-September.  Grilled meats, cobblers and salads fill us until October, when we’re ready for fall /winter meals.

Garden, Home and Party: Independence Day

Tyler Florence :: Ultimate Barbecued Chicken

Garden, Home and Party:  Independence Day

Bobby Flay :: Mesa Grill’s Southwestern Potato Salad

Garden, Home and Party: Independence Day

Trisha Yearwood :: Easy Peach Cobbler

Garden, Home and Party: Independence Day

Summer fruit is readily available and the grill becomes the cooking tool of choice.

Garden, Home and Party: Independence Day

{source}

I love the celebration of Independence Day.  Fireworks, a sense of patriotism and a holiday!

Garden, Home and Party: Independence Day

I hope this Independence Day provides you and yours a relaxing day filled with good food, fun with friends and family and fireworks!

Happy 4th of July

Recent Posts: Garden, Home & Party

Homes that welcome the season

A little this and that

The color of autumn

Wall Art Inspiration for our bungalow

Project Design: Outdoor Living Spaces

Enter your email address to subscribe to GH&P and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Instagram




Follow gardenhomeparty on Twitter

Follow on Tumblr

Google Plus

Recent Posts

  • Homes that welcome the season
  • A little this and that
  • The color of autumn
  • Wall Art Inspiration for our bungalow
  • Project Design: Outdoor Living Spaces

Categories

  • Accessories; details
  • Annual WP Report Card
  • Antiques
  • Architects & Builders
  • Architectural elements
  • Autumn
  • Bastille Day
  • Bathroom
  • Bedrooms
  • Christmas
  • Collections & Accessories
  • Cottages
  • Decorating
  • Designer
  • Dessert
  • Dining Room
  • DIY (do it yourself)
  • Drink
  • Easter
  • Entertaining
  • Fall Entertaining and Decorations
  • Family
  • Flowers
  • Food
  • Gardening
  • Gardens
  • Halloween
  • Holiday/Seasonal cooking
  • Holidays
  • House and Home
  • Independence Day
  • Kitchen
  • Maintenance
  • Misc
  • Outdoor living
  • Paint Color
  • Party Planning
  • Personal Information
  • Recipes
  • Renovating
  • Seasons
  • Simple Meals for the Avid Cook
  • Spring
  • St. Patrick's Day
  • Storage/Closets/Pantry
  • Study/Office
  • Summer
  • Thanksgiving
  • Traditions
  • Travel
  • Trends
  • Uncategorized
  • Valentine's Day

Recommended

  • Bastion & Lark
  • Content in a Cottage
  • Cote de Texas
  • French Essence
  • French Kissed
  • Garden, Home and Party
  • Greige Design
  • Heirloom Philosophy
  • Henhurst Interiors
  • In the Fields
  • Jennings & Gates
  • Making Magique
  • Miss Mustard Seed
  • paper{whites}
  • Polished Pebble
  • Providence Ltd Design
  • Restoring our 1890 Victorian
  • Slim Paley
  • Splendid Willow
  • Talk of the House
  • TG Interiors
  • The Adventures of Tartanscot
  • The Enchanted Home
  • The House of Edward
  • The Lady's Life
  • The Pioneer Woman
  • The Polohouse
  • Tone on Tone
  • Trouvais
  • Velvet & Linen

Archives

  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • October 2009
  • August 2009
  • July 2009
  • June 2009
  • May 2009
  • October 2007
  • August 2007
  • July 2007
  • June 2007

Top Posts & Pages

  • {Home} Cozy and other adjectives that describe home
  • Living with what you love; age and decorating
  • {Home} Adieu Pierre Deux
  • {Garden} A porch, atrium, courtyard, or outdoor room---a delight
  • The color of autumn
  • {Home} Mirror, mirror on the wall...
  • Knock, knock, who's there?
  • {Home}Another cottage to love by Bill Ingram Architect
  • {Home and Party} Trays, a versatile obsession
  • {Home} Be careful what you wish for...refinishing wood floors

Subscribe via RSS

  • RSS - Posts
  • RSS - Comments

Topics

4th of July accessories antiques Architects & Builders Austin Autumn Barefoot Contessa bathroom bedrooms birthdays blog favorites Blogging blue & white decor books centerpieces chairs Christmas collections cooking cottage cupboards decorating for fall decorating styles designer details of a home do-it-yourself Dogs dream house Easter easy recipe easy recipes Engagement Party English gardens Entertaining fall Family Father's Day Flowers foyer furniture Garden Gardening Halloween hardwood floors holiday home home accessorizing House Beautiful magazine how-to Independence Day interiors Irish Stew kitchens Kooboo chairs library mirrors Mother's Day neutral color palate New Years Eve Organizing Outdoor living paint color Pets in the home plaid recipe recipes Rogers Gardens Spring summer living Table Settings television Texas Thanksgiving Valentine's Day weddings

Blog at WordPress.com.

  • Follow Following
    • Garden, Home & Party
    • Join 749 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Garden, Home & Party
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...