Do you ever surprise yourself?  You know, you get to a certain age and you think you pretty much know what you like and what you don’t.  Mushrooms – yes, tripe – no, lemonade – yes, sarsaparilla – no…you feel like nothing can surprise you and that you are pretty much armed with enough experience to navigate through the choices of life.  Jason and I recently attended the engagement party of Kara and Tim.  As I have said here before Kara and Tim are so creative and talented you just knew the party was going to be awesome fun.  A 1930s-themed-croquet-party-by-the -water-at Redcliffe – THAT kind of fun.

You guys, the styling was amazing – paper flowers, hay bales, vintage iceboxes, hessian trim and Pimm’s and lemonade cocktails through red stripey straws.  It was like looking at a magazine spread.  Every detail was so well thought out – but at the same time so relaxed and generous that you felt fully embraced and comfortable.

It had been such a long time since Jason and I went out on a weekend that we just threw ourselves head first into it all.  And in doing so – I totally surprised myself.  I LOVE CROQUET.  Not only that but I am actually pretty good at it too.  Although the Red Baron (aka our good friend Ryan) and his partner ( the lovely Amelia) managed to snatch the game from us on the last shot, Jason and I make a pretty formidable team.  So much so that we are thinking about joining our local club, the McIwraith Croquet Club to continue honing our skills.  I ask you – what other kind of sport actively encourages cut throat behaviour while maintaining dignity and politeness?  I mean, there you are, looking stylish and relaxed while aiming to knock your opponent clear out of the field – all with a drink in your hand and a smile on your face.  I should say that it is also harder than it looks and there a a number of different versions of the game to keep you interested and challenged.  It was a lovely, lovely afternoon – thanks Kara and Tim – I am completely and utterly hooked!  Cuckoo for Croquet!