Dining in a garden! There is something so charming about it, something so pleasant and whimsical and delightful. And European!

Preeti and Sebastian invited us for lunch yesterday and when we arrived at their beautiful, bright, cheerful house, we found they had moved their dining table onto the patio and their patio chairs right into the garden. All the doors were flung wide open and the sunlight streamed into the kitchen and the living room and it just felt like we were models for a center-spread for House and Garden Magazine.

Like ours, Preeti and Sebastian’s is a multi-generational family. Her parents were there, as was Sebastian’s Mom along with a friend of hers – both visiting from Holland. Their two young boys were in and out all afternoon – extremely well-behaved and self-contained little fellows.

Here are three of the grand old men: My Dad, Preeti’s Dad and Moy Moy’s Dad. (They were all having fun, even though it looks as if only Sardarji was!)

One of the features of the afternoon was the latest addition to the Kirbat-Gruscke household:  young Tara, an adorable little black pup.

Sebastian’s mom, who is a retired psychologist, has a theory that dogs are really exactly like children. Or children are like dogs, I can’t remember. Anyway, she had lots of suggestions for training both Tara and the boys to respect each other’s space and integrity, much to the amusement of all.

This is her friend Coby, who was a teacher trainer before retirement and who testified to Bouwien’s skill as a trainer of kids (she had four – Jean, Mieke, Rob and Sebi) as well as dogs (Droef and Tara). Coby has no children, but she does have three cats, and cats are also just like kids, right?

Preeti looked relaxed and pleased – as well she should have. Her parties are always such a perfect combination of good food, great conversation and  beautiful surroundings.

And here are her parents . . . who are young and vibrant and an example of how to grow old gracefully.

Such a lovely afternoon!