I love beautiful nibbles.

One of the guests brought this spectacular appetizer platter on a wooden tray.

Our hostess has a large collection of place mats woven from natural materials.

A fringed sarape beach coverup for a tablecloth!

Each table had this happy mix of red gerbera daisies and mini lime mums.

Their garden looks beautiful at night.  We stayed late, the weather and setting and company was so inviting.

The first party for Party Week is an outdoor barbeque, California style. I think my pictures speak for themselves.  This was a beautiful and festive summer party in such a gorgeous setting on a gorgeous night.  Our hosts pulled this off in a remarkably short time.  She got the idea of a party a few days before when she read that our weekend weather would include warm evenings.  She sent out an email invitation for a casual out door barbeque and accepted my offer (and others) to help out by bringing a dish.  If you can spend a little less time in the kitchen, you can spend a little more time on your table settings and I know you'll agree with me that it was time well spent.

Even though this party was last minute, it doesn't look last minute and to be honest, you can't put together something like this on a whim without giving it some thought and a dose of elbow grease.  After all, the outdoor furniture needs to be wiped down and some general sprucing up for company, it all takes time.  But actually setting the tables, I really don't think it takes as much time as one might think.  They say that if you collect the things you like in the colors that you like, when you put it all together then it will coordinate.  And these tables really prove that point.  Our hosts love bold printed tablecloths.  They have a good collection of woven place mats and chargers.  Their dishes and napkins are in solid muted colors.  Tie it all together with harmonizing flower arrangements and candlelight and it's sure to be gorgeous. I walked in and it literally took my breath away.  Our hosts have an easy and carefree entertaining style that is so inviting, we didn't want to leave!