We do the seating quickly, on the drive to Southampton. It's easy with good friends--ten couples in total--before summer dramas begin. The occasion? My birthday. By the time we get to our house, the white and red wine we'd ordered from Herbert & Rist (63 Jobs Lane, 631-283-2030) was waiting on the steps, along with crisp bags from Catena's (143 Main Street, 631-283-3456), brimming with fresh berries, paper towels and cleaning supplies. Time to hit Lynch's (175 North Sea Road, 631-283-5515) to fill my indoor pots with bright begonias, and pick up place cards with crabs and dolphins from The Printery's new outpost at The Elegant Setting (31 Main Street, 631-287-4747). I stop for red and blue felt tip pens at Southampton Stationery (18 Hampton Road, 631-283-1964) to match the cards' borders. Ready for action and then the news comes: a huge storm is heading our way.

Saturday dawns with bright sun. At 3 PM, our favorite local florist, Philip Bianco brings fresh lilies, freesia, hycanith, roses and Gerber daisies. Trusty caterer Kevin Macdonald shows up at 5 with Captain Ari Benjamin to commandeer the kitchen. By 7:45, my guests arrive to enjoy smoked salmon on potato pancakes, covered with creme fraiche and caviar before finding their seats. The main course is chicken piccata, asparagus grilled with shaved parmesan and rosemary fingerling potatoes, followed by mesclun salad with chevre and brie. Dessert, a rhubarb and strawberry cobbler with vanilla ice cream is pre-empted by a surprise birthday cake from Tate's (43 North Sea Road, 631-283-9830). My husband, Peter, insisted Kevin bring after seeing no chocolate on the menu. Would you believe everyone ate both desserts?!