A New Friend and a New Adventure

Many of you know that, just as much as I love to cook, I love to entertain. I've been notorious since high school for turning a casual cookout into a full-fledged dinner party. I'm sorry- I just can't help myself. I love everything involved in throwing a party- the planning process of it- the food - the decorations - the flowers - the little touches that make it special. For the past year, I have been trying to figure out a way to logically incorporate these things into my business, but without fully becoming an event planner, it just didn't make sense. I just couldn't find the answer. Until now...

A couple of months ago, I got a phone call from my friend Melissa Dodgen asking if I knew anything about her friend Natasha McCrary, who had a farm in Mooresville. Melissa told me that Natasha was looking for someone to teach classes at her farm and that she had given her my name. I really had no idea what kind of classes she meant, but was immediately intrigued. Within five minutes I was on the phone with Natasha and fully committed to the task.

Natasha and me at our first entertaining class at 1818 Farms

I ran into Natasha at a party at the Huntsville Museum of Art shortly after. When we began talking and planning, the only thing I could think was, "Why am I just now meeting this person?" Natasha is one of those people that you know could throw a gorgeous dinner party and give an i.v. to a sheep, both with astounding levels of grace and confidence. It is kind of unbelievable.

Once the date was set for our Fall entertaining class, I quickly had to figure out what on earth I was going to teach these people! The class was sold out and I knew that I had to make a good first impression in order for this to be a successful venture for both of us. The day before the class, Mama called to check on me. I told her of my plans to head to the wholesale florist to pick up some flowers, then on to get more flowers from Mary Frances Brosemer at the Greene Street Market and .... at that point she cut me off. "You are going to teach these women how to do flowers?!," she asked, seeming shocked. I wasn't wild about her tone, but answered with a firm "yes." She then asked, "LeeLee, do YOU know how to do flowers?" A little bit of panic struck in my stomach. "No...not really," I answered, "but I will figure it out."

Twelve hours later, my arms were covered in pumpkin gunk and you couldn't see the floor of my garage beneath the piles of petals, stems and leaves, but I was ready.

Testing designs in pumpkin scraps

The first successful arrangement in my garage turned flower studio

 At 7 am on Friday morning, my cook/friend, Becca, and I loaded up the car and headed to 1818 Farms in Mooresville. The ladies arrived at 10 am and were taken on a tour of the farm. Natasha introduced them to the sheep, chickens, goats, and the newest member of the 1818 Farms family, Cupcake, a baby pot-bellied pig.

Natasha introducing our guests to the animals

Cupcake being friendly

Once they had met the animals, they headed down to see Natasha's gorgeous garden, from which I conveniently stole the most gorgeous lettuces you have ever seen, along with a handful of heirloom cherry tomatoes. On top of the vegetables, Natasha has the most gorgeous flowers and herbs - Sunflowers, zinnias, and rows of lavender.

Ladies and Lavender!

While Natasha was giving everyone the grand tour, Becca and I were preparing lunch in the precious garden house.

1818 Farms Garden House- The perfect setting for our classes!

My Centerpieces - White pumpkin vase filled with Roses, Dahlias and Zinnias. Gourds from 1818 Farms were the perfect addition to the pumpkin arrangement. Extra flowers were tucked in as a final garnish. 

A sprig of lavender from 1818 Farms made each place setting a bit more special

 Guests enjoyed a curried chicken salad in a roasted acorn squash, a salad of Natasha's lettuces and tomatoes in a citrus vinaigrette, and Dee's delicious homemade rolls.

A fabulous Fall luncheon

Guests enjoying lunch

 The "class" portion of the day took place after lunch. I first discussed the making of the centerpieces and variations that could be made to fit other tables/occasions. We then created several different arrangements using different varieties of pumpkins and gourds, discussing which were better for certain types of arrangements. We did large arrangements of branches and flowers in cylinder vases that I filled with beans as a substitute for oasis, warning the ladies that this was a 1-day arrangement, because the beans begin to sprout in the water!

Working on an arrangement

My flower station in the garden house

Gorgeous apples were used as votive candle holders. I carve a small portion of the apple out, so that the votive candle fits just in the top. The apples look so pretty as the wax drips!

Pressing the votive candle into the apple

My favorite creation of the day was the massive pumpkin that I carved and then etched into a gorgeous wine cooler using wood carving tools.

My massive masterpiece- So much more fun and festive than your typical wine cooler!

Finally, we ended the lesson with fun ideas for Fall-themed place cards. Becca, Natasha and I laughed after the class, because this was everyone's favorite thing and it took the very least time and effort!

I literally found this leaf on the ground at 1818 Farms- Something so simple can be made into something very special

Tiny Pumpkins from 1818 Farms became festive place cards with just a little help from a gold paint pen!

After the class, pumpkins, eggs, lavender, and flowers from 1818 Farms were for sale, along with a few baked goodies from Lyn's Gracious Goodness. As a party favor, each guest got to pick a pumpkin to take home!

As we were all getting up to leave, Cupcake wandered in to clean up the crumbs!

Cupcake wanted to join the fun!

I just cannot even begin to tell you how fun and special these classes are. I am so thankful to be a part of it all. Our next class will be Thanksgiving themed and is scheduled for Friday, November 9. Due to the popularity of the first class, we will be offering a morning class from 10-12 as well as an afternoon class from 12:30-2:30. The class will be $75 per person. To make your reservations, visit Natasha's website: www.1818farms.com