The Patio is Open

Patio Party! Thrown by none other than the gal who hosts all our traditional Sunday cocktails. My favorite home cook went all out with food and drink per usual. Over the years Gretchen and Derek have thrown cocktails with themes including: Chinese New Year, Cinco de Mayo, Hawaiian Luau and Valentines Day. They hosted the V-day cocktail earlier this year to celebrate love after they got married in New Zealand.
The patio opening began with vodka raspberry lime rickeys and a fresh vegetable plate including carrots, pea pods and endive with a side of homemade hummus for dipping.

They fried up the grill churning out fresh asparagus spears and some wrapped in Prosciutto. Also shrimp with homemade cocktail sauce.

Derek made a round of sweet tea bourbon vodkas with fresh squeezed lemonade. Then he delivered a round of Coors Light to the shotgun contestants.

Good times. Then Gretchen grilled some more.

Red and orange peppers, summer squash, zucchini and onions.

Everyone took a turn relaxing in the Ivy garden

And then we had our main course.

Grilled Pizza!We had pear and gorgonzola pizza, mushroom and pesto vegan pizza, red sauce and mozzarella pizza topped with arugula, and last but not least we had duck pizza. That's right. Duck Pizza. And a red cabbage and corn slaw.

We played some games.
This is called the "CB Radio Game". Use your imagination!

Gretchen outdid herself with chocolate chip cookie vanilla ice cream sandwiches. I contributed to dessert too. Behold my Berry Pound Cake Trifle.

Super easy and no baking required!

Thank you so much to the Oldies for hosting and all of the One More Hat Crew for a memorable summer kick off!