My friend Melinda had a gathering for forty last weekend at her house in Upper Northwest Washington. There is "Northwest" Washington and then there is "Upper Northwest" Washington. Sort of like "Virginia" and "Northern Virginia. Upper Northwest is home to past Mayor of DC, Adrian Fenty, there is a Rockefeller compound, and an assortment of local doctors and lawyers and businessmen. Melinda falls into the lawyers category. In February of this year, her beloved mother, Sylvie, passed away. This past weekend she invited 40 of her very closest friends and planted a rose in her front yard in memory of her mother, who was an avid rose gardener. We were invited for drinks and buffet starting at four in the afternoon. We arrived promptly and enjoyed three hours of lively conversation. Rose planting was at six o'clock,
We all gathered in the front yard for a message from Melinda about her mother. That's her in the red and white striped shirt. She did not attend the party in this outfit. She changed into this for the planting and then changed back to her party outfit.
Here, a shot of her friends, assembled on the front porch, who sang for the occasion. Beautiful and melodic.
After the rose planting ceremony, we returned to our spot on the back patio. I did not know this gentleman. That is my friend Gail and her husband Tom coming down the stairs into the back yard. We spent the majority of the time with them. Even though Gail and I work together, I hardly ever see her. I had not seen Tom in many, many years. They are so much fun and it was good to spend a few hours catching up.
Honoria and Winchester resting on the back porch, keeping watch over the guests in the back yard. These are two perfect specimens of Basset Hounds. Honoria was on the front porch at one point and joined in the singing. It was so cute.
Our friend Karen, who I did not get to spend any time with on Saturday.
More guests inside the sitting room at the back of the house. There was a bar set up in the very back with a bartender. He was wonderful.
Melinda preparing to plant the rose in grungy clothing, which one NEVER sees Melinda in. But, for mama, she made the sacrifice.
It was a wonderful day. It was hot, but there was a breeze at times and it did not rain. Thank you for inviting us dear Melinda.
We all gathered in the front yard for a message from Melinda about her mother. That's her in the red and white striped shirt. She did not attend the party in this outfit. She changed into this for the planting and then changed back to her party outfit.
Here, a shot of her friends, assembled on the front porch, who sang for the occasion. Beautiful and melodic.
After the rose planting ceremony, we returned to our spot on the back patio. I did not know this gentleman. That is my friend Gail and her husband Tom coming down the stairs into the back yard. We spent the majority of the time with them. Even though Gail and I work together, I hardly ever see her. I had not seen Tom in many, many years. They are so much fun and it was good to spend a few hours catching up.
Honoria and Winchester resting on the back porch, keeping watch over the guests in the back yard. These are two perfect specimens of Basset Hounds. Honoria was on the front porch at one point and joined in the singing. It was so cute.
Our friend Karen, who I did not get to spend any time with on Saturday.
More guests inside the sitting room at the back of the house. There was a bar set up in the very back with a bartender. He was wonderful.
Melinda preparing to plant the rose in grungy clothing, which one NEVER sees Melinda in. But, for mama, she made the sacrifice.
It was a wonderful day. It was hot, but there was a breeze at times and it did not rain. Thank you for inviting us dear Melinda.
