Patio Party! Thrown by none other than the gal who hosts all our traditional Sunday cocktails. And while she made it explicit in the invite this wasn't a "Sunday Cocktail" as we define them, my favorite chef went all out with food and drink per usual. Over the years Gretchen and Derek have thrown cocktails with themes including: Chinese New Year, Cinco de Mayo, Hawaiian Luau, and Valentines Day. They hosted the V-day cocktail earlier this year to celebrate love after they got married in New Zealand.
The patio opening began with Vodka Raspberry Lime Rickeys. These tasted like a fancy cocktail you'd order out at a restaurant/bar. Exquisite. We munched on some appetizers.
A vegetable plate including carrots, pea pods and lettuce with a side of homemade hummus for dipping. The vegetables were fresh and crisp. Other homemade dips (unpictured) also included guacamole with tortilla strips and a light salmon and chive dip with Kettlecorn salt & pepper potato chips. I ate lots of all three combinations. And drank more Rickeys
And then Derek fired up the grill. But Gretchen gets credit for all the grilling.
Asparagus. Thick, tender, juicy spears.
Asparagus wrapped in Prosciutto to kick it up a notch.
Grilled Shrimp with a homemade cocktail sauce.
Derek made a round of Sweet Tea Bourbon Vodkas with fresh squeezed lemonade. 
Then he delivered a round of Coors Light to the shotgun contestants.
Somehow (when I was in the bathroom) I "volunteered" myself for the shotgun competition. Well as my friends all learned, and now you will learn to: I don't shotgun beers. No thank-you. Shocking from the girl who names her blog after drinking alcohol, I know. Shocking to all my friends as I am the most recent college grad of the group. I guess I'm just not down with taking a mid evening beer bath. My sincere apologies to whomever I may disappoint with the reveal of this information.
Adam being the good guy that he is "took my place."
Plus who else would photograph such a momentous event!!
Pretty sure Adam won. Good times. Then Gretchen grilled some more.
Earlier this morning I chopped those beautiful veggies I bought at Haymarket and Adam prepared shish-kabobs.
Red and orange peppers, summer squash, zucchini and onions. 
Everyone took a turn relaxing in the Ivy garden
At some point I switched to beer.
Brooklyn Summer Ale. If you're looking for a tasty warm weather brew, I highly recommend this one.
And then we had our main course.
Pizza.
Not just any pizza,
but pizza off the grill.
We had pear and gorgonzola pizza, we had mushroom and pesto vegan pizza, we had red sauce and mozzarella pizza topped with arugula, and last but not least we had unpictured duck pizza.
And a red cabbage and corn slaw.
Lisa's green leaf salads with a delicious homemade dressing completed the spread. It was all phenomenal.
Next we played some games.
This is called the "CB Radio Game". Use your imagination!
Soon it was time for dessert. Gretchen outdid herself with chocolate chip cookie vanilla ice cream sandwiches. I contributed to dessert too. Behold my Berry Pound Cake Trifle.
I created this all on my own. Here's how:- 2 boxes Sara Lee pound cake
- 1 box vanilla pudding
- 2 cups 2% milk
-1 container each: Raspberries, Blueberries, Blackberries.
-Cool Whip
1) Slice the pound cake lengthwise 1/2 inch thick and line your dish. 
2)Whisk the pudding mix and milk. While pudding sets, wash and dry your berries. 
4) Layer with berries
5) Place additional 1/2 inch thick slices of pound cake a top this layer
6) Spread with Cool Whip
7) Top with more berries in an artistic fashion
Super easy, and no baking required!
Just an FYI I didn't use all the pound cake (probably 1 1/2 boxes) or the entire batch of pudding. I'm pretty sure neither will go to waste.
Thank you so much to the Oldies for hosting and all of the One More Hat Crew for a memorable summer kick off.
[Peepers over and out] 
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