Portland's Japanese Gardens

 Having a membership to the Lan Su Chinese Gardens gave us

free passes for the month of January to Portland's Japanese Gardens.

 Sunday afternoon the sun was shining and a perfect addition to celebrating

a birthday in the family.

 We ventured out to the gardens and delighted in seeing

the koi in the pond.  The littlest of us was enchanted by them.

 The daphne was beginning to bloom and add color to this gorgeous garden.

There were little ones all about enjoying the out of doors

with all the splendor of the garden.

While friends in other parts of the world are under snow and freezing temperatures,

Portland has had a touch of spring.

One thing that has amazed me about Oregonians is that they know to immediately

step outside and enjoy a sunny day because tomorrow the rains will come again.

Who knows we may even be buried in snow in a few weeks.

Each day brings a surprise and we are always ready to celebrate it.

I think this is a good way to celebrate life,

be ready for the surprise and jump in with both feet.

Monday's Quotes

It's liquor is like the sweetest dew from heaven.

~Lu Yu

Note:  The teacup is from my grandfather's china of Violets and Daisy's, Haviland.

And a Good Time was had by All

Sunday is my "live-in gardener's" birthday

and the celebration began today.

Our daughter took us to tea and it was pure delight.

 The birthday boy and our sweet daughter.

 It was a Winter Tea at Deepwood Estate in Salem, Oregon

The table was decorated perfectly for winter.

 The tea was their signature rose hip black tea.

 The scone was Oatmeal Raisin Cinnamon.

 The savories were Stuffed Mushroom on Polenta with Balsamic Drizzle (my favorite),

Blood Orange and Fennel Salad, and Roast Beef and Arugula Tea Sandwich.

 A peek as we toured the house through one of the gorgeous stained glass windows

in the solarium.

 The sweets were Lemon Meringue Tart, Peanut Butter Pie Parfait,

and Chocolate Chip Blondie.

Walking through the grounds is always a treat.

This is the carriage house.

What a treat and an adventure on a dreary Winter day.

Birthday celebrations are always a perfect time for tea.

Surprise + Delight

Each season when I visit the Lan Su Chinese Gardens in Portland,

I am surprised with what I find and delighted.

This was fruit of the pomegranate, which did delight me.

Recently when I was walking through my local market where you can often find me,

a sign caught my eye above the jewelry store.

It said surprise + delight.

I have thought of that often since seeing that sign.

It doesn't have to be a piece of jewelry to delight me.

It doesn't even have to be anything with a price tag.

But little surprises such as seeing this pomegranate fruiting

or sitting by my breakfast window watching the hummingbirds feed

are just the surprises that delight me.

 I do love surprises alot and as you can probably tell

I search for those small things that surprise + delight.

What little surprises delight you, especially ones without a price tag?

Signs of Spring

 Hellebore

 Do you see it?  The first little crocus to open it's little face.

The first camellia to shine!

January seems a bit early for Spring to start showing it's face.
But searching for Spring in the Winter is what helps me survive the dark days.
So with much JOY and DELIGHT this week when I went searching
my heart did a happy dance.
For small signs that the earth was coming alive were tucked here and there in the garden.
Do you search for signs of Spring in the Winter?
I know, it's a bit crazy, but I love it when I start seeing it.
So for me today, I will dance in the foggy morning
as I rejoice in the first signs of Spring.

A Flower in my Cup

 Leaves unfurling.

Fully opened.

Flowers in a teapot delight my heart.

Teavivre offers many different choices of flowers for your teapot.

This particular one is a jasmine green tea.

It comes in a tight ball, but when submerged

in the warmth of the water it blooms into a beautiful display.

The teapot also came from Teavivre,

as I used my $5. off coupon and have been wanting this little

glass teapot for a long time, I am delighted!

Isn't it pretty?

I am loving it for displaying the beautiful blooms of tea.

What is delighting you today?

If you would like a $5. off coupon just leave a comment

saying so.  Make sure I have a way to connect with you.

Check out www.teavivre.com to see what might delight you.

Monday's Quotes

Photos taken at the Lan Su Chinese Gardens right after Christmas.

Two quotes by Martin Luther King Jr.:

I have decided to stick with love.

Hate is too great a burden to bear.

Darkness cannot drive out darkness;

only light can do that.

Hate cannot drive out hate;

only love can do that.