Lobsterfest? Lobster Feast!

Every Memorial Day, after my Aunt D walks in the town's Memorial Day parade as part of the Environmental Commission, showering the townspeople with good tidings and wildflower seeds, she invites family and friends over to her garden for a Lobsterfest to kick off the summer. Lobster alone is quite the draw, but her husband, Uncle Robert, is a master gardener and has created a hidden paradise, encased in evergreens and populated with tall lilacs, bursting peonies, scattered impatiens, hanging petunias, and climbing clematis.

Drinks are served, appetizers eaten, and witticisms exchanged. If there's one thing I have come to count on from my parents' friends, it's lively conversation. Cackling laughter and knee-slapping abound. There is never a dull moment. It's the best.

Lobster is served, heads and bodies thoughtfully removed for our more civilized eating pleasure. We had a king's choice of tails and claws, which always makes me happy, since I'm a claw-girl, myself. Four claws, no tails. Delicious.

You'll notice that Aunt D has a lot of lobster accoutrements. This is a side effect of hosting an annual Lobsterfest. Until Memorial Day weekend, a corner of her attic could double as a Bar Harbor gift shop. Which is not a bad thing! (Loyal readers know how I feel about all things Maine.)

Outside, during cleanup, we notice there's a little butter on the table -- a reason lobster is best eaten outside. But no worries, an ingenious guest discovers that a little gin & tonic cuts the grease!

After dinner, Connor, the very helpful grandson and cohost of the party, goes table to table serving dessert and coffee. He and his mother made mini-cheesecakes for all to enjoy. And that we did. I especially loved the thick graham cracker crust.

I don't have any pictures of the peach pie I brought, except the one Aunt D sent me this morning.

Can't wait for next year, and more importantly, can't wait to dine al fresco with friends and family all summer long. Life is good, isn't it?