backyard garden party

As I mentioned in my previous post, last week I went to a pretty backyard birthday lunch, hosted by my Mum. She, of course, had many sweet touches that I just had to share! First off, the weather was just gorgeous, which is always a prerequisite for a delightful backyard party. It was such a quaint setting, being in the backyard of my parent's new home...surrounded by Mum's garden, the woods, chipper bird songs, and her cute old potting shed in the background.

She strung up a pretty birthday garland in the old oak tree above.
And at each place setting was a tiny little Viola planted in a darling, handpainted pot.
Handpainted by who, you say? Why Mum of course!
Each pot featured a different little bird that she modeled after pictures in one of her bird books. Amazing, oui? And if that wasn't cute enough, she had my Dad fashion little shepherd hooks out of sturdy wire to stick in the pot and dangle a tiny birdhouse ornament upon.
And what backyard garden party would be complete without delicious food as well...here, some delicious and refreshing frozen fruit cups...one of Mum's specialties. (See recipe below!)
An empty birdbath was repurposed as a clever, cute spot to hold a
pitcher of fresh-squeezed lemonade.
Finally, Mum's homemade cake...which really is another garden party prerequisite, no?
...
Thanks for the lovely day, Mum!

...

Update: (per Mrs. C's request, here's the recipe from Mum. Enjoy!)

Frozen Fruit Salad Recipe

8 oz pkg cream cheese

2 1/2 Tbsp milk

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup powdered sugar

Mix in your mixer, starting out slowly but increasing speed until well blended.

Add the following:

1 can of mandarin oranges, drained

1 can of pineapple tidbits, drained

2 bananas, cut up

& any fresh berries you like (strawberries, raspberries, etc.)

May be frozen in a bread pan, muffin cups, or aluminum jello molds. Unmold by running a knife around the edge and easing each out with the knife stuck in the side. Don't put in warm water to unmold because the will get mushy really fast and won't look nice and crisp.