picnic of pink

On Monday after a lovely if brutally hot few days with Katherine, Megan, Aubry and other costuming friends in Williamsburg, we all made the trek back up to Fredericksburg for my Picnic. Despite being late afternoon by this time it was still ridiculously hot outside, although slightly cooler and less humid than the 107°F (with the heat index) temperatures we'd endured the day before. There was also chance of thunderstorms but after a pow-wow the vote was to risk rain and suffer the heat for a little while. We really wanted to be out on the green lawn if only for a little while. I'm so glad we stuck to the original plan as the rain never came, only a stiff breeze that keep us cooler (and outside!) longer than expected. Yay!

So we helped Aubry whip up a batch of lavender scones, set up the table, plated the food (all which I had made before I left for the weekend or bought that morning on the way home) and got dressed in our cool summery frocks.

After a few quick photos we filled up our plates and picnicked under the shade of the trees.

By 6pm the temperature had cooled down enough for us to play a rousing game of badminton. That was super fun, especially Katherine's flying face plant in pursuit of the birdie. It really was a priceless moment.

We then played a game of Speculation and spent some time inside the house to paw over the extant garments Isabella had brought before venturing back outside for sparkling lemonade toasts, party poppers and sparklers. So much fun! Poor Megan and Stephanie couldn't stay out very long because the mosquitoes were very fond of them, in spite of bug spray. So they had to watch through the patio door, which made for playful teasing on both sides of the glass.

The party ended back inside with more chit-chatting, laughing and other friend goodness. I probably won't attempt a costumed picnic in late June again (It's just too hot!) but I'm so glad I did this one. Despite the heat and the sweat and the bugs I wouldn't have missed it for the world. Something you just have to do things that are a bit crazy - life is too short to always be practical, right?

Playing badminton at the picnic - part 1 Playing badminton at the picnic - part 2 More photos from the weekend: Jenny-Rose! Katherine Aubry