Another garden party! This one toasts the solstice.

Lovely table set for the garden party. That's Gay Lyons checking out the menu.

Lovely table set for the garden party. That's Gay Lyons checking out the menu.

Remember when I noted earlier this year that there sure does seem to be an inordinate number of garden parties around here? Well, here’s another one — and it was a doozy!

This one, a fundraiser for the Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum, was to celebrate the summer solstice last month. It was just a relaxing time in the great outdoors with convivial friends and acquaintances — the best kind of garden party if you ask me. No formal program. And, best of all, no auction!

We worried about the weather all day, but fortune smiled upon us and the rain held off. One side benefit, as you will see from these photos, was a pretty double rainbow. Always a welcome addition to an outdoor occasion.

As far as I'm concerned, you can't beat sunflowers in a summer centerpiece.

As far as I'm concerned, you can't beat sunflowers in a summer centerpiece.

Betsey Bush, left, and Dr. Michelle Brewer

Betsey Bush, left, and Dr. Michelle Brewer

It was a lovely setting for cocktails.

It was a lovely setting for cocktails.

Angela Howard and Rick Stone

Angela Howard and Rick Stone

Joan Ashe, left, and Mary Ellen Brewington

Joan Ashe, left, and Mary Ellen Brewington

Mickey Mallonee, left, and Allyn Purvis Schwartz

Mickey Mallonee, left, and Allyn Purvis Schwartz

Alan Carmichael and Jackie Wilson

Alan Carmichael and Jackie Wilson

Carol Evans passing appetizers.

Carol Evans passing appetizers.

Other volunteers, Sam Maynard and Kim Henry

Other volunteers, Sam Maynard and Kim Henry

Rick Fox, left, and Ralph Cianelli

Rick Fox, left, and Ralph Cianelli

Mike Combs and Marsha Hollingsworth

Mike Combs and Marsha Hollingsworth

From left, Paul and Susan Campbell, Botanical Garden Executive Director Keyes Williamson, Gideon Fryer, Fran Schnied and Georgiana Vines

From left, Paul and Susan Campbell, Botanical Garden Executive Director Keyes Williamson, Gideon Fryer, Fran Scheidt and Georgiana Vines

The delicious first course was a sweet vidalia onion tart with beet salad.

The delicious first course was a sweet vidalia onion tart with beet salad.

Sometimes it is so festive to eat at a really long table like this!

Sometimes it is so festive to eat at a really long table like this!

Fun, fun.

Fun, fun.

Gay Lyons and Dr. Steve Brewington sat across from Alan and me. (Gay had taken a fall in her kitchen, which accounts for the bandage.)

Gay Lyons and Dr. Steve Brewington sat across from Alan and me. (Gay had taken a fall in her kitchen, which accounts for the bandage.)

Music was by Nancy Brennan Strange and her bandmates, from left,

Music was by Nancy Brennan Strange and her bandmates, from left, Will Yeager, Dan Gammon and Don Cassel.

Facaccia from Flour Head Bakery and garlic scape pesto. I cannot tell you how good this was!

Focaccia from Flour Head Bakery and garlic scape pesto. I cannot tell you how good this was!

This double rainbow came out during dinner! Magical.

This double rainbow came out during dinner! Magical.

Grass fed beef from Strong Stock Farm with mushroom marmalade: yum.

Grass fed beef from Strong Stock Farm with mushroom marmalade: yum.

Keyes Williamson, left, with Ryan Patrick and Danielle Velez, who are brother and sister. (Their father, Michael Patrick, is a long-time News Sentinel photographer.)

Keyes Williamson, left, with Ryan Patrick and Danielle Velez, who are brother and sister. (Their father, Michael Patrick, is a long-time News Sentinel photographer.)

John Niceley and Martha Strong Kern of Strong Stock Farm.

John Niceley and Martha Strong Kern of Strong Stock Farm.

Roasted Kennebec potato salad from Shelton Farm.

Roasted Kennebec potato salad from Shelton Farm.

Grainger County tomato basil bread salad.

Grainger County tomato basil bread salad.

Veggies on the grill

Veggies on the grill

The band played on.

The band played on.

This delicious dessert was Cruze Farm buttermilk pound cake with black raspberries and fresh cream. Alan was in heaven.

This delicious dessert was Cruze Farm buttermilk pound cake with black raspberries and fresh cream. Alan was in heaven.

Vicki Baumgartner serving dessert.

Vicki Baumgartner serving dessert.

The caterers were Amy and Ben Willis-Becker and they did a fantastic job. They formerly operated Harry's, a restaurant on the 100 block of Gay Street.

The caterers were Amy and Ben Willis-Becker and they did a fantastic job. They formerly operated Harry's, a restaurant on the 100 block of Gay Street.

Rush and Alexis Niceley

Rush and Alexis Niceley

John and Karen Kalec

John and Karen Kalec

Shonda Robbins and Rob Wallace

Shonda Robbins and Rob Wallace

Stuart Worden and Lane Hays

Stuart Worden and Lane Hays

We loved the guest appearance by Carrie Niceley. Here, she is doing a fabulous rendition of "Crazy."

We loved the guest appearance by Carrie Niceley. Here, she is doing a fabulous rendition of "Crazy."

I am liking this great new garden party trend. Bring on the next one!

Filed under: Events, Food, Historic preservation, Knoxville. Bookmark the permalink.

12 Responses to Another garden party! This one toasts the solstice.

  1. Ellen Robinson, on July 9th, 2013 at 4:05 pm said:

    Love the one, long table! The food looks yummy — I’m really into garlic scape pesto this season — our freeezer is full of it!

  2. Cynthia Moxley, on July 9th, 2013 at 4:07 pm said:

    Really, Ellen? Did you make it yourself? I just adored it and had never had it before that evening.

  3. Allyn Purvis Schwartz, on July 9th, 2013 at 5:25 pm said:

    Great photos and great write up, Cynthia! This was a really fun party to plan and it was so easy to do! BTW, I made the pesto, and like Ellen said, my freezer is full of it! Amy and Ben rocked it!! Awesome people and awesome food! Plan on joining us next year!! Annual event …

  4. Mary Ellen Brewington, on July 9th, 2013 at 9:33 pm said:

    What a magical summer evening! Great night, delicious farm to table delights and most importantly outstanding table companions. I LOVE the Botanical Gardens.

  5. Cynthia Moxley, on July 10th, 2013 at 12:17 am said:

    Allyn: You outdid yourself on that pesto! So glad to know this will be an annual event.

    Mary Ellen: I totally agree!

  6. Danielle Velez, on July 10th, 2013 at 9:19 am said:

    You always have the best photos!! Thanks for capturing such a fun evening!

  7. Cynthia Moxley, on July 10th, 2013 at 10:50 am said:

    Danielle: You all are doing such a great job on your events. This is just the latest example. Keep up the good work. Proud of you.

  8. Gay Lyons, on July 10th, 2013 at 11:02 am said:

    I am also liking all these garden parties. This one was absolutely perfect from start to finish–the setting, the table, the music, and the food. I savored every delicious bite of every course. You can bet I will be there again next year. Allyn, I want that pesto recipe.

  9. Kim Henry, on July 10th, 2013 at 5:15 pm said:

    Really great evening!

  10. Alexis Niceley, on July 10th, 2013 at 10:03 pm said:

    Such a lovely evening in one of Knoxville’s most beautiful greenspaces. Thank you to the wonderful folks at the Gardens who organized the event and to Cynthia for the great photos. And I am so glad Amy and Ben are back in the Knoxville culinary scene! They are simply amazing!

  11. Vicki Baumgartner, on July 11th, 2013 at 10:05 am said:

    Wow! A terrific reminder of a great evening in The Garden!! Thank you Cynthia for the wonderful photos – you really captured the feel of the event. And a HUGE thank you to the many FABULOUS volunteers who pitched in to make it all happen. We love our garden parties and spending time with all you party lovers…

  12. Cynthia Moxley, on July 16th, 2013 at 6:39 am said:

    Gay, Alexis, Kim and Vicki: Amen, Sisters!

Leave a Reply