Thirty-five of our closest friends joined us Sunday evening to kick off Summer 2013 with fried chicken, barbecued ribs, and an assortment of yummy pot-luck sides and desserts. Mojitos with fresh mint from our herb patch and yard games were featured as the meat slowly cooked on the grill. 

One long table was set up in the garden with tiki torches and candles adding to the romance of huge white magnolia blossoms, red roses and blue pom-pom hydrangeas.  As afternoon turned to dusk the buffet filled with delicious offerings. Lightening bugs twinkled in the growing dark.

Doug Singer brought perfectly seasoned ribs off the grill. Salads of every sort -- curried quinoa, cucumber with dill, cole slaw, tomato and olive, and roasted eggplant -- were the perfect complement to jalapeno cornbread, Italian flat-bread and flaky biscuits.

After dinner, the children schemed up a magic show using the back porch as a stage. Ooohs and ahhhs testified to their success as entertainers; then more expressions of delight ensued when the home-made Ice cream, sauces and condiments appeared. 

Simple pleasures with good friends in a lovely setting -- It's going to be a good summer!

And, wow, it couldn't have been better! With gorgeous early summer weather and the garden in full bloom, families and friends came together to celebrate in our backyard on Memorial Day eve. Cantina lights were strung across the garden, bean bag toss and other games were set up in the side yard, two buffets laid out and a rockin' blue grass band serenaded 150 guests of the happy couple. The whole place took on the feel of a 1920's Italian village festival. The cutest thing was the vintage sofas, chairs and other furniture, upholstered and lacquered in bright colors, that were brought in to festoon the yard and provide comfortable lounging and conversation areas. The bride and groom planned it all elegantly for maximum kick-back charm and relaxed socializing, but with a festive excitement that lasted all evening. For the lovely occasion, our "shabby chic" was really cool! 

This weekend we had the pleasure of hosting parents, brothers and sisters, aunts and cousins of both sides of a Mt. Pleasant couple who were getting married and wanted everyone to stay nearby. This was a great gathering place and plans were made over breakfast each morning for add-on activities throughout the weekend. With Rock Creek Park so close a Saturday afternoon picnic popped up, as did an after-wedding Sunday brunch on our veranda. The weather was perfect! A great time and wonderful memories for all!

Dear Friends,

Joe & I have applied for a grant through the “Mission: Small Business” program & we need 250 votes by 6/30 to be considered. Please help us by following the link below & voting for “Mt. Pleasant Shabby Chic BnB” (DC). You can vote for more than one business, so it doesn’t matter if you have already voted. Thank you for passing this to others who might help, too! Gratefully, Leslie

PS. If you take time to read our application narrative, I’d love to know what you think! No obligation to do this though – just vote! Thanks!

https://www.missionsmallbusiness.com