Gee - Porch parties: breezy drinks and easy ideas for outdoor entertaining

PORCH PARTIES

Cocktail Recipes and Easy Ideas for Outdoor Entertaining

by Denise Gee
Photographs by Robert M. Peacock

CHEERS TO...

Amy Treadwell at Chronicle Books, for conceptualizing this book and seeing that we were the right team to work on it. Sarah Billingsley, our editor at Chroniclewhos not only a skillful editor, but also a delightful person. And to the books designer, Hallie Overman, for cleverly capturing the fun spirit of the project. Literary agent Angela Miller, for tooting our horn. Dempse McMullen for lending us some great collectibles for our photo shoots. Edith Peacock, for assisting us both on shoots and afterward; and George and Joyce Peacock for cheering us on in a big Texas way. Eddie Maestri (plus Adam Moore, Nan Moore, Nelda Brooks, and Parker), for the use of his Dallas porches and helping make them fabulous for photography. Darby and Dennis Short, of downtown Natchez, Mississippi, for use of their dreamy front gallery and back porch. Linda and Tom Scarritt, whose wraparound porch in Tampa, Florida, is as cool, colorful, and gracious as they come. Kirk Kirksey, whose Winnetka Heights porch became one of our makeshift studios. Julie Martin and Michael Sunich of Tampa; Thanks for letting us capture a bit of Old Florida at your Full Circle Farm in Dover. Jenny OConnor for helping with research. Alfie the standard poodle for assisting during our shoots in his own special way. All our family and friends who we hope to be seeing on our porchand their porchesvery soon.

Text copyright 2009 by Denise Gee.
Photographs copyright 2009 by Robert M. Peacock.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission
from the publisher.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data available.
eISBN 978-1-4521-0039-5

Designed by Hallie Overman, Brooklyn, New York.
Food and prop styling by Denise Gee.

Chronicle Books LLC
680 Second Street
San Francisco, CA 94107
http://www.chroniclebooks.com

The good people of historic Winnetka Heights in Dallas, Hyde Park in Tampa, and all other porch-centric communities for preserving the joy of architecture and neighborly camaraderie.

COME SIT FOR A SPELL.

There's something instantly relaxing about a porch, wherein your own home, a friend's home, or a favorite rental cottageyou can relax in your own little world.

Perhaps thats just having your feet propped up while you sway in a swing. Or being able to lean back in an Adirondack chair, drink in hand, while savoring both the beverage and the aroma of dinner wafting out from the kitchen. In these hurried days, such scenarios are priceless.

The true height of enjoyment, though, is to share that experience with friends and family. On such occasions, festive drinks (Pomegranate Pimms Cup, anyone?) and uncomplicated but interesting food (care for some Greek Crostini?) are a must. And thats what this book is aboutgiving you the tools you need to extend such an invitation and fulfill it effortlessly and brilliantly.

Beyond that, this book is also about setting a party stage with the right decor and ambiance. Nowadays there are plenty more options than just porch swings, basic wood fans, and rockers. How about swinging porch beds, fireplaces, outdoor rugs, and living room furniture? With all of that, one could practically live outside. I really could. Actually, I have.

While I was growing up near Natchez, Mississippi, our family owned property on nearby Lake Concordia that had a unique structure; a giant enclosed screened building that we called the Porch. Technically it wasnt a porch because it was freestanding, but its purpose was all porch. Though it no longer stands (it was torn down to build a house atop the site), I can close my eyes and am instantly transported there.

I hear the screen doors rusty springs as I head inside. Theres the oversize fireplace, bar, and full-size refrigerator-freezer: the strings of party lights and the slow-moving, moaning ceiling fans: the musty chaise lounges where wed read or nap, the big center table where wed eat and play cards, and the smaller tables along the screened walls that hosted other pastimes (card tricks or checkers, maybe). I hear the stereo where music (the iconic song Rock the Boat by the Hues Corporation is playing) could reach our pier and boathouse. I see the warped Irish drinking proverb signs my grandmother and grandfather collected over the years. And the long buffet table, where a boatload of food (smoked brisket and fried fish, chiefly) will soon be spread out for all those weve invited for an afternoon-evening-overnight gathering. With that, I dont want to ever open my eyes. I dont want to leave. I so miss that place. Maybe thats why, in the homes Ive lived in, having a porch has been a must, and keeping in tune with hospitable surroundings has particularly interested me.

Over the years that Ive worked as both a food and home design editor, Ive discovered that many people feel the same as I do. And Im delighted to learn that in the United States we are building more porches. According to the National Association of Home Builders, nearly 60 percent of new, single-family homes were built with porches as of 2007 (up from 39 percent in 1996). That says a lot about the importance of outdoor living in our lives.

Ive also learned that the porch mindset travels with us wherever we arebe it in a condo (where even a small deck is a getaway), or a bed-and-breakfast (Im sure the most successful ones have porches), or modern rooftops geared to entertaining. Its all about taking it outside and letting our cares blow away with the breeze. To savor a quick and rejuvenating respite. To talk with each other and share stories that might otherwise get lost in the doldrums of everyday life.

Its been said a porch is where a home welcomes you with open arms. With this book, I hope you truly feel the warm welcome.

Listen to the gentle creak of a rocking chair on an old wooden porch, or feel your first uplifting breeze on a deck: You know you're in the right place to wash your cares away. That's even more true if you're holding a refreshing beverage and it's especially memorable when shared in the company of good friends.