By Marcelle Bienvenu

I’m blissful from the first day of Daylight Savings Time until the last. The extra long days allow me more time to spend in the yard, cruising down Bayou Teche watching the sun set while the blue herons and great white egrets fly in to roost in the willows, and my favorite pastime—entertaining.

After regular working hours, there’s more daylight time to have people over for barbecue, fish fries, crab and shrimp boils, or a simple meal of grilled steaks and fresh-from-the garden vegetables.

And truth be known, my very best liked day of the year (yes, more so than Christmas, Easter, and the 4th of July) is the first day of summer, also known as the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year. That is when the sun is farthest north in the Northern Hemisphere, which this year is June 21.

For several years now, I invite neighbors and friends to join me for an evening soiree on the Summer Solstice, which gives us more than enough time to bark at the moon, if there is one, and usually there is.

One year, my guests, about ten, relaxed on quilts spread out under the canopy of live oak trees, munched on hot dogs, sipped on Planter’s punches, and discussed what we planned for the lazy, hazy days of summer that stretched ahead.

Another time, my friends and I planted ourselves on a pier overlooking Vermilion Bay that hugs the Gulf coast of Louisiana. While we gazed into the cloudless sky hoping to see a falling star, we gobbled down boiled shrimp and ice-cold beer.

Last year, about sixty of my closest friends enjoyed the evening under paper lanterns that festooned the Oak trees. The patio was lush with exotic plants I gathered from neighbors, and I even hired several bartenders to keep us supplied with cool drinks while we nibbled on cold crab salad, miniature club sandwiches, crawfish quiche, and tiny cream puffs.

Think about doing your own Summer Solstice party. Urge the ladies to don their summer linen sundresses and strappy sandals; the men can be comfortable and colorful in Hawaiian-inspired shirts and shorts.

Food can be as simple as finger sandwiches, chips and dips, hot dogs, sodas, beer, and wine. Or, if you want to be a little more refined, consider grilling a beef tenderloin. Thin slices of the beef can than be tucked between small rolls dabbed with a zesty mustard and mayonnaise spread and served with assorted grilled vegetables. Offer iced tea garnished with fresh mint sprigs or Champagne.

Make it easy and fun, and enjoy all the hours of that long day!

Filed Under: Food Talk