Although we celebrated my brother in law’s 40th (joint with my brother) while we were in Croatia it was his ACTUAL birthday last week. He and my sister are the MOST generous hosts for all their friends…constantly cooking, prepping and coming up with the best parties, lunches, dinner parties and I couldn’t bear the thought of them working for his own birthday. So I put my hand up for our house, for a long lunch with 20 of their friends, and I did something I have never really done before: I outsourced ALL the food. Everyone chucked in a small amount of money (less than what you would pay if we had all gone out for lunch) and I got to sit back and enjoy a lovely long lunch in the sunshine without having to do much at all. I said to my sister that it was like going business class – once you have had a taste of this, it will be hard not to go back!
The sun shone, the wine flowed, the afternoon went on into the evening and we celebrated one of my most favourite people in this world’s birthday in true style. Happy Birthday to my beautiful brother in law Chris – we all adore you and are so glad you are part of our family.
All the delicious catering and staff were provided by the very talented, clever and LOVELY Joey from The Hospital Shop in Bowral. I can’t recommend the food highly enough!
Hope you have had a good weekend! After a busy morning tidying up we are having a very slow and quiet Sunday afternoon.
What a splendid, stress free way to celebrate this occasion.
Those desserts have made me rather peckish …
Those desserts were spectacular!
Wow! That looks so gorgeous! I think you’ve just inspired me to do the same for my 40th, and great incentive to transform our sandpit backyard to a pretty garden party
A perfect relaxed way to enjoy a special occasion – highly recommend x
Ohhhhh what a handsome birthday man. *just gazes for a while, as creepily as possible*
Ha! He is a bit of a spunk rat isn’t he?
Love, love, love your photography!
Thank you!
All the things! So stunning x
Thanks Nikkers x
Jo IS lovely. A couple of the best meals of my life have been from The Hospital Shop.
She sure is and the food is TASTY. Just the way I like it – full of flavour!
You make me want to chuck a business class party for no reason, no reason at all. Beautiful. I like Chris’s hair. That little kids table is gorgeous and hilarious.
xxx
Set by Harper of course who did the lot – flowers and all. Apple doesn’t fall far…
Wow!!!!
Beth you take the most gorgeous pics. What a fantastic, fun way to celebrate a birthday! Can you be my sister-in-law too? Thanks for sharing such a beautiful day 🙂
Thanks Dannielle x
Oh those photos are just gorgeous. Love,love seeing your posts Beth!
Oh thank you Jan – these are my favourite ones to do – plenty of interesting and pretty things to take pictures of!
That table setting just gave me a lady boner…divine!
Ha! Love it Sarah 🙂
Looked amazing Beth! Loved all that colour!
Thanks Jools x
Looks sensational! x
Thanks Corinne x
Looks fab! & how lovely to be able to just ‘be’ & really enjoy it, having outsourced the food- such a good idea!:) know what I want for my 40th in a few years:)
Best thing I have done in AGES!
This looks THE BEST! beautiful! Nice work!
Thanks Vicki x
I have been hanging out for photo’s from your long lunch. Would have been the best afternoon and great work with the food out sourcing!!!! What a great idea, do you think they would come to my house? ha ha ha. You really are the hostess with the mostess Betharoony.
Best idea EVER with that outsourcing…why haven’t I done it before?!
You have the PERFECT garden for a long lunch. Love it. As for outsourcing, I’m a big fan of doing it too. It means you can enjoy the party with little stress. Did I mention I adore your garden? 😉
It’s looking pretty good at the moment!
Everything looks so amazing! Vibrant, relaxed, polished but unpretentious.
I can only dream of being invited to one of these soirees in your beautiful garden.
Thanks for sharing such gorgeous moments with us Beth.
Oh thank you Annette x
looks so good…knock it off with those cute dessert jars….can you adopt me..?
I wish I had thought of those jars myself!
Beth do you use fold up tables to make your big long table. I’m hosting Xmas this year for the first time, I’m trying to work out how I’m going to seat everyone.. Thanks
We have a couple of cheap BUNNINGS trestle tables that were like $49 each which we keep in the garage and pull out.