Power

Photo for my grandson, who adores tractors and backhoes.

There is power in machines.

Tractors pulling loads of hay on the farm needs power.

I have had thoughts of the power within me on many occasions over the years.

Sometimes it actually scares me when I feel it there.

I withdraw from it.

I even hide.

I think about embracing it,

but wonder would it scare others like it scares me.

Where would I go with it?

I acknowledge it sometimes, but then I let it go.

I want to grab onto it, like the tail of a kite, and let me soar to heights unknown.

I take baby steps at times and then find that closet door.

Do you feel like this at times?

Does power scare you too?

Or do you allow it to take you places yet unknown?

Monday's Quotes

Courage is not afraid to weep;

and she is not afraid to pray,

even when she is not sure who she is praying to.

~J. Ruth Gendler

Sharing Tea

Twice this week I have had the opportunity to share tea with friends.

The cups are upside down because we haven't started making the tea.

How wonderful to sit in the out of doors and share our love of tea.

For both opportunities I shared the same tea.

I wasn't sure how it would steep and taste coming from my little teapot,

but it was quite good.

I shared a Darjeeling tea called Puttabong Moondrops First Flush 2014.

Sounds kind of technical doesn't it?

Puttabong is the farm or estate it came from in India.

Moondrops is the name they gave it.

First Flush 2014 was the first picking in the Spring of 2014.

I tend to like the Second Flush better for a more robust tea,

but drinking moondrops fascinated me and I just couldn't resist

buying it when I knew it was being picked.

I mentioned moondrops last year, it is like drinking stars from the sky 

on a clear evening with a gentle breeze blowing.

Have you enjoyed sipping something recently that reminded you

of a delightful starlit evening with a gentle breeze?

Rose, Violet, & Scamp of Swain Woods

A continuation of the story of Swain Woods and the Fairies.

Rose bloomed brightly, the youngest fairy, she had a glow all her own.  Her cheeks were pink like they had been pinched by the morning dew or a blush from the sun.  She was the artist of the three fairies, an artist in her soul.  Creating beauty wherever she went, her hands just danced with delight.  Rose could turn a piece of bark or a twig into something of beauty.  Her baskets were used for storing their food and for capturing rainbows at the end of a rain storm.  Those honored to receive a gift from Rose treasured each gift with great appreciation.

You have met Violet earlier in my story.  Violet loved to dance in the woods, she would sway to the music coming from above for the birds sang a song just for her.  She cared deeply for the woods, her sisters, and for Scamp.  You could say she watched over them, just as big sisters do.  She had a voice like honey poured from a pitcher warmed by the sun.  She shared stories she remembered of their family long ago.  She treasured the memories and being the oldest shared them most freely.

Scamp was the Wood Nymph living nearby.  They say his name suited him well.  His eyes twinkled with delight and laughter was often on his lips.  He didn't miss a cup of tea or a song to dance by, for his heart was that of a happy soul.  He learned the sounds of the birds nearby and sometimes when a human passed by they thought there were birds nearby.  In some ways he was a trickster and those that knew him just delighted in being in his presence.  His laughter was infectious and made each fairies heart to sing.

These are the stories of my fairy friends of Swain Woods.
There is one more episode to come next week as we travel with the fairies and dream.

Warmed by the Sun

The earth is warmed by the sun

Everything is growing and ripening at once.

It is berry season in my part of the world.

Blueberries have been picked and put in the freezer for winter.

Raspberries have been made into a most delicious jam.

Marionberries have been picked just yesterday,

they are calling my name right now to come and make jam,

plus a pie or two for the freezer.
Ahhhh, strawberries have been eaten and delicious.

I love berry season, but why does it all come at once?

Oh that sun is doing it's job for sure,

for it is the season of berries and ripening in the garden.

Corey from Tongue in Cheek shared this yogurt cake recipe quite awhile ago.
I just love it with all the fresh berries.
Here is the link for finding the recipe.
Since I buy large yogurt containers, I used the 3/4 cup for my measurement.
It took about 30 minutes to bake.
http://willows95988.typepad.com/tongue_cheek/2010/01/one-french-secret-about-baking.html

I hope you are enjoying the outdoors with the fresh produce growing around you.  What are you enjoying?
Top photo is the blueberry patch where I recently picked.

The Fairies do Play

Dancing in the Garden

Dreaming under the clouds

Singing songs with the chickadees

Laughing all day long

Swimming in the sea of Delight

These are the dreams of sweet fairies

and those with a child's heart.

~m.miller

Monday's Quotes

 Peeking into my backyard from the other side of the fence.  Happiness!

 

From the other side of the fence.

The neighborhood is full of these alleys behind the houses.

You can find all kinds of interesting views walking down the alleys.

"Happiness is a gift and the trick is not to expect it,

 but to delight in it when it comes."

 ~Charles Dickens