Sometimes inspiration for fun grows right in your own backyard. Just ask these Richmond friends, also known as Garden G8 (Gate). Every summer this group hosts an all-day progressive garden party at their homes, where they enjoy healthful meals and share gardening ideas, favorite recipes, and lots of laughter.

The Garden G8 comprises friends from Richmond: Steve and Mary Alexander, Mark and Lisa Davis, Ashley and Beth Royal, and James and Gail Taylor. Each year, they visit each other's gardens in a daylong celebration. All-Day Garden Hop Breakfast: Veggie Frittata sliced tomatoes Banana-Nut Bread juice or coffee Lunch: Barbecue Pork Sandwiches mixed veggie-potato chips soft drinks Afternoon Hors d'Oeuvres: wine and cheese Dinner: Shrimp Penne green tossed salad Peach-and-Blueberry Parfaits

top left: Barbecue Pork Sandwiches, top right: Banana-Nut Bread, bottom left: Peach-and-Blueberry Parfaits, bottom right: Veggie Frittata

James and Gail Taylor won the "brass star" award for their Zenlike garden.

Healthy Benefits

"Get Together With Friends" is from the June 2006 issue of Southern Living.