Wednesday, June 24, 2009

It's summer time

and Kendalee has invited us to a Midsummer Picnic! Knowing her, I imagine there will be water, perhaps the ocean, or a stream or a fountain...

The veggies are fresh so I made some gazpacho (recipe at the bottom of the page)

and picked a posy of herbs for our beautiful hostess.

I am wearing my new skirt with a long scarf around my waist - as the day turns to evening I will put it around my shoulders.

We were asked to bring a flower for the bouquet, but I couldn't resist and picked 3 (to match my skirt of course!)

and just had to tuck in some jasmine to scent the evening air - I'm sure we will be going well into the night.

I hope you will join us for a wonderful picnic!

**Gazpacho (from the kitchen of Gwen Ash - my mother's recipe)**

4 large very ripe tomatoes - peeled and chopped
1 large cucumber - peeled and chopped
1 medium sweet onion - finely minced
1 green pepper - chopped
3 cups tomato juice
1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar
3 Tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic - mashed or minced
salt, pepper, Cayenne to taste

chill overnight to allow flavors to meld
serve cold with avocado, chives, can also add shrimp

13 comments:

  1. Hi, how I love your fountain, and your Gazpacho looks good too. Never had any, so I will have to give it a try. I love avacados too.

    Pretty photos! Enjoy your day

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  2. Thanks for the recipe and the eye candy. I plan to try the recipe this weekend!

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  3. Thank you for all of the beautiful, vivid colors! This post is a veritable feast for the soul! Hugs, Terri

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  4. Lovely pics - and I have the same evergreen jasmine in my garden - and did you know that Gwen is a Welsh name, meaning 'white'?

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  5. Mmmm I love gazpacho(can't spell it I don't think!) Lovely skirt and bouquet to match. THe herb bouquet must smell lovely. Hope you found your way home ok-and it is cream on the cake, naughty but nice!

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  6. Oh Beverly thank you for joining us! What a lovely day it's been. And you're so right, fountains and an ornamental lake in the park today... :) Water's a must if at all possible! Don't you look lovely in your gorgeous skirt and scarf?! And I LOVE my herb bouquet (thank you!) and the beautiful flowers from your garden will be such a treat for someone to take home!!! The gazpacho looks delicious so I'm definitely going to have a bowl of that and try out the recipe another day (thank you Beverly's mum for that!)

    We have the bonfire lit here now and I was kinda hoping that someone gave you that extra glass of Nen's bubbly so that a little dancing on tables might happen! It goes straight to my head (barely takes a bubble or two) so I might just join you up there...

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  7. wow, what a wonderful post! i love how the flowers echo the skirt or vice versa! what fun to picnic together. getting ready to post my share, but it won't be as creative as yours!

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  8. Sounds like you're having a blissfull Summer,gorgeous photos, I'm a little envious here in gray, wet, wintery Perth, where we've just eaten the last few tomatoes from our garden!
    Thanks for visiting my blog.

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  9. Looks great Beverly! I am printing out the recipe now:) How fun.

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  10. It was lovely to join you for a while on the picnic, Beverly - I love the gazpacho soup - it looks so fresh and crunchy and delicious. Your flowers are amazing - may I take the poppy home please? And your choice of party outfit is beautiful - colourful - just what I need now!

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  11. Your skirt is gorgeous, and the flowers fabulous. I love picnics, and everyone's take on them. Enjoying the day.

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  12. this post screams SUMMER! I love it! and I'm making that gazpacho today.

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