The house was beautiful and the guests of honor were indeed charming, but the thing that impressed me the most was the display of flowers. On this June evening, our hostess had cut roses from her own garden and arranged them in a low vase on the dining room table. They didn't all match and some had a few holes from hungry beetles, but the sight was just delightful.

It was a lovely evening, filled with simple pleasures that our hostess had taken time to create herself. She had hired a helper to assist her with the busy chores of hosting an engagement party, but she had seen to it that the memories of simple food and drink and flowers from her own garden would last a very long time. 

It may be too late to plant flowers now for your May celebrations, but perhaps you could do what I did last weekend..."borrow" some.

My sister and her family moved into a beautiful home a few years ago that came with the added benefit of a sea of lilies-of-the valley growing in the back yard. I have loved these flowers ever since I was a little girl and used to get down on the ground at my maternal grandmother's house to smell the ones she had growing by her back door. Her wedding anniversary was May 1st so I am always reminded of her when I see these lovely bell flowers. My sister, however, is not as enchanted with them and is always willing to let me come and dig up a clump or more. Last weekend, for a May 1st brunch, I clipped a big bunch and stuck them in a julep cup. Nothing a florist could have sold me would have made me happier.

It might be time to start thinking of your June entertaining events. Garden stores are just full of rose bushes ready for a sunny spot in your garden.

Buy some now and your June tables will be full of sweet smelling pleasure!

Maybe you could even hire a helper from Our Silver Platter, make some simple but delicious treats and cut some of your own roses for the table. Who knows? You might even make an impression on someone that will last for a very long time.