holiday entertaining al fresco

by Sharon Santoni

 

Happy 4th July to all my American friends!  Hope you have something fun planned with your family.

I love summer entertaining, be it for the 4th of July, for Bastille Day, for a birthday, or simply because it is sunny and warm and its so lovely to sit out late over a dinner with friends.

Here is a table set for friends coming over this evening.  Nothing fancy is planned, we’ll eat grilled fish and vegetables from the potager and then cheese and a choice of desserts.    The day is very warm so I’m hoping we’ll sit outside until late, thank goodness we are not bothered by bugs here.

I am using my Charvet table runner and napkins over a white cloth, this is a set that is available on our box site right now.   All designed and made in France and perfect for my summer table.

How about you?  Which is your favourite season for entertaining?   Winter in the warm?  Summer al fresco?  Or do you just love to feed your friends and family no matter the season?!

 

PS.  For those of you waiting to know if you won our Stylish French Box giveaway, and whether you will be the lucky winner of our August box next month, then just a couple more days patience, we’ll announce the winner this weekend!

18 comments

Care July 4, 2019 - 10:09 pm

Hi Sharon can’t u come to Arkansas??

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Leslieinlittlerock July 5, 2019 - 4:08 am

I agree! Arkansawer!

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KameelaHays July 5, 2019 - 7:47 pm

Looks gorgeous. I love entertaining all yezr round but summer is more relaxed for the cook

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Diana July 4, 2019 - 10:13 pm

Very pretty table

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Cynthia Fischer July 4, 2019 - 10:17 pm

It is 92 here and I will set the outside table for dinner with friends when it cools down a bit. I hear the wind so there is a possible rain beginning. Meanwhile I am spending some quiet time enjoying both your books this afternoon. How perfect to receive your email today. Thank you for the tip on Beaune.
Best wishes, Cynthia

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Ida Duplechin July 4, 2019 - 10:39 pm

Too hot/humid to sit outside right now! I was up early enough to go through my renewed garden and clean up a few volunteer plants that may have another home soon. Hope the rain comes through and cools everything down.

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Marian McClellan July 4, 2019 - 11:04 pm

You are my inspiration for making the most of sharing my home with family and friends in a beautiful and relaxed manner!!

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Deborah July 5, 2019 - 6:26 am

Simple elegance! The flowers are lovely! I love dining outdoors for any meal (weather permitting)!

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Bonnie Wood July 4, 2019 - 11:15 pm

So pretty. Right now it is very warm in Rhode Island .(Try 90 degrees!!!) We love being out on our deck, but today is verywarm and humid, but ANYTHING is better than the winter we had!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Emily July 5, 2019 - 1:12 am

It’s cool here in Pebble Beach, Ca – 59 degrees. We’re headed to the beach for an Independence Day party with a large group of friends. After our feast, we’ll sit around the fire sharing stories and roasting marshmallows. It’s always fun and relaxing.

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Audrey Young July 5, 2019 - 3:32 am

What state are you in? We are in Michigan and had a streak of very high 80s weather with the fourth being extremely humid! Audrey

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Tootsie July 5, 2019 - 4:56 am

Invite me! Invite me!

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Terri Arbutina July 5, 2019 - 2:46 pm

We had a wonderful July 4th with family and friends. It was hot to start out with, Cleveland Ohio!! But soon, the rains came and cooled everything off. Even though we have had plenty of rain this early summer, the rain was a welcome relief and provided a nice drink for all my flowers and vegetable plants. I have had to do a lot of weeding with all the rain we received earlier!!

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Penny at Enjoying The Simple Things July 5, 2019 - 4:30 pm

Beautiful!

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Taste of France July 5, 2019 - 5:01 pm

My French friends often use antique white sheets as tablecloths–the cotton is nice and heavy and the size is perfect for falling to the ground.
Our summer dinner parties are different from winter dinner parties because outside we can accommodate more guests–the table is bigger and there’s just more space, even inside the pergola. Hosting a bigger group, combined with being outside, means it’s less formal, and that’s nice in its own way. It’s good to have both–the fancy dinners where everybody puts on their best, and the casual ones.

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SALLY ASHBY July 5, 2019 - 7:44 pm

Beautiful table so simple yet so elegant!

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Susan July 5, 2019 - 9:23 pm

Dining outside isn’t an option in South Texas as we have 100+ temperatures in the summer, but I love hearing about your dinners. Your table is always so elegantly set and food sounds delicious.

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Floranet August 5, 2019 - 7:57 am

Wow!! What a piece of Art. Great!!

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