A Peony party at my house, come take a look!

Last Friday, I hosted the second annual peony party at my farm in Bedford, NY.  The peonies, as you can see, were spectacular.  When my gardens are looking so amazing, I just love sharing with my friends.  The weather looked a bit iffy all day long with rain showers threatening.  However, shortly before the first guests arrived, the clouds vanished and the evening was splendid!  Pierre, as usual, did a fine job with the hors d’oeuvres.  Everything was lovely and delicious.  Unfortunately, I cannot share too much about the food with you since it was professionally photographed for my upcoming book on elegant entertaining.  You’ll just have to wait. 

Here I am cutting so many peonies!

Standing is a sea of fragrant blooms

Sharkey taking a good stretch before the party.

MSLO Employees Eliad Laskin and Liesl Menning

Peony decorations

Charles Koppelman, Chairman of the Board

David Melancon and MSLO SVP of Merchandising Michael Mosca

My long time housekeeper Lily

Here I am with Joe and Michele Reed

Stylist Tom Borgese

My gardeners Kim, George, and Erika

Here I am at the beautiful food buffet.

Here I am with chef Pierre, who looks very happy.

Mike and Mary Tedesco.  Mary is my personal trainer.

Stephen Doyle and Gael Towey, Gael is the Chief Creative Officer for MSLO

John and Carlyn McCaffrey

Dr. Marty Goldstein and his lovely wife Mary

Our CFO Howard Hochhauser and his wife Cindy

Photo Illustration Director Heloise Goodman and her husband Andrew Thomas

Weddings Editorial Director Darcy Miller Nussbaum and her husband Andy

My Property Director, Mike Fiore

Howard Christian and Bunny Williams

What is Chevy talking about?

Gardener Erika Hanson and Community Relations and Events Coordinator Erin Furey

My neighbor and photographer Peter Michaelis

Gael Towey and my assistant Kate Shillo

Chevy and Grainne Bailey

Peter Macgill and Grainne Bailey

Chevy’s Daughter Cydney, Jennifer Juzaitis , Errol Rudman, me and Chevy Chase 

For more photos from the party please take a look at our radio blog.

Comments

[Linda]

Oh they are soo beautiful. I wish I could smell them from here. All different wonderful colors. How nice to have a peoney party with all your friends. Thank you for sharing it with us. I loved looking at your pictures.

Linda

[Jennifer]

Martha! In my experience, ants have always followed my peonies like crazy... so I've never been able to cut them to have anywhere near food (or people, really!). I was told that the ants and the peonies feed off each other. Is there a way to avoid this? Or is it just an old wives tale?

[Michaele]

Spectacular---I am also enjoying the peonies blooming here in Washington State. Thank you for sharing!!!!

[Angela Willis]

Some people have it all.

[Sherey]

A great celebration! The buffet table is gorgeous and so are all the lovely guests and, of course, the hostess. Nice that the weather cooperated, too.

My peonies are all in bloom and while it's a small bed they are very well established and are so tall now. How i love peony time!

[Lisa Vasile]

I have peony envy!

Wow! Like many others on this site, I am a HUGE fan of peonies. My garden seems so insignificant in comparison, but the beauty and scent of the peony is palpable regardless. If only they could bloom all summer. I guess that's what adds to their value - we only get a few short weeks of their intoxicating scent and mesmerizing beauty.

[Tina in Boston]

Hi Martha! Your garden seems infinite, the peoonies look absolutely gorgeous, and you look radiant!

[Jennifer Fancher]

Hi Martha- I love the peony decorations!

[Debbie]

Those bouquets are just beautiful and the food looks great. That is also a very pretty picture of you, Martha.

[Karen]

What a lovely day.
Peonies,My grandmother's favorite flower as well.
Thank you for sharing with us.

[Rowaida Flayhan]

WOW!!! Love your fresh pictures with the beautiful beautiful peonies in your amazing garden.
Sharkey looks so so cute!
I am sure that the food was delicious, can't wait to see your upcoming book on elegant entertaining. We love you Martha.
God Bless
Rowaida Flayhan

[Brian Utz Jr.]

Martha, what a beautiful and fabulous party! You are most definitely the guru on entertaining! I'm so excited for the new book. My favorite picture is of you standing by the table surrounded by those magnificent Peony arrangements! Hope you're having an excellent break!

[Clare]

Beautiful! I am terribly jealous of all those magical peonies-its winter here and I have six long months until I see them again.

[Barb Bamonti]

Please tell me how to reproduce peonies. My neighbor has some neglected plants and would I would love to grow peonies in my garden.
Barb B

[Ladymissgailo]

I want to cover Sharkey with kisses! So cute!

[Matthew]

Martha, I enjoyed seeing you on the Next Food Network Star. What a nice surprise!!

[charmayne]

peonies, people & parties, a perfect photo piece, gotta luv those peonies....tks lovely martha

[Inventing Matilda]

I love the bold pink table linens on the food buffet. They showcase the peonies just like like a vibrant blue top brings out the beautiful eye color of the person wearing it.
-Inventing Matilda

[Desiree']

Martha,
Can't wait for the new book! Those peonies look spectacular. You are so inspiring. Thanks for sharing!

[Edi Gardner]

Stunning!!!

[Nina]

Wow, everything looks so pretty!!!

I have an OT question for you, Martha. My mother, my aunt and I absolutely love all things French. I didn't get an opportunity to see Disney's Ratatouille while it was at the theatres, so I want to have a small "Ratatouille" themed party and invite several ladies, including my mom and my aunt.

So far all I have planned is watching the movie and serving homemade ratatouille. It's got me wondering . . . if Martha were throwing a "Ratatouille" party, what would she do?????

[Laura Nelson]

Your peonies are wonderful! I'm not much of a gardener, especially living in an apartment building, but I can certainly appreciate beautiful blooms!

[Liz]

The peonies are stunning, I can only imagine how beautiful they smell. Looks like a lovely party - and how nice the weather cooperated.

[Cheryl]

Loved the pics and peonies....a side comment, Martha today with Rosie you were sooo hungry....why don't you have a cup of tea in a Royal Albert tea cup while you are doing the show...it would encourage all of us to take a cup of tea even while working...it is a good thing....and....will curb your hunger until lunch...I like two cups personally.....love you and your show....

[Shirley Gray]

Your peonies are absolutely gorgeous. It looks as though you have a support system to keep them standing. Can you tell me about the system that you use? Thank you for sharing the pictures with us.