Hugs from Wisconsin

Last week I traveled to Wisconsin for hugs.
Sit with me as I share those special hugs with you.
On Thursday I drove to a beautiful little town called, Delafield, where I
got the best hugs ever from two bloggers I greatly admire.
beth of be yourself....everyone else is taken and Christina of Soul Aperature both give the best hugs.
What a delight to sit there in a coffee shop and visit for 5 hours.
Yes, you all were mentioned and thought of in our conversation.
There is just something so special about sitting and sharing, plus oh those hugs were the very best.

The picture of the chairs were taken at an antique shop I found that same afternoon.

The August Break (the final day)

Strong Women - Leslie Caron

Recently I read this biography of Leslie Caron.
Some of you may know her for the movies she acted in during the 1950's, such as
An American in Paris, Gigi, and Lili.  She also has continued to act more recently in Chocolat and Law and Order, where she won an Emmy.  She started out as a dancer as a young girl.  Her mother always pushed her to have her own career and not depend on men.  She said, in the book, "that her mother held the philosophy that mothers mustn't praise their children, lest they become complacent".  With this philosophy, Leslie was to become a strong woman and had to learn lessons of love through several marriages and relationships.
I had always been fascinated that when her acting career slowed down, she found other avenues to venture into and without any knowledge on construction oversaw the building of a beautiful restaurant and bed and breakfast in France.

A fascinating woman definitely worth reading about.
I am not finished with the Strong Women Monday series,
but it is time for a give away.  There will be a drawing on Wednesday from everyone leaving a comment on this Strong Women post today.  The gift will be this book, which I know anyone of you would enjoy.

I just returned from Wisconsin yesterday and will share about the trip this week.

Tasha Tudor - Happy Birthday!

 

Celebrate today!
Tasha Tudor's birthday
She was a special lady; so creative and full of imagination.
I was thrilled to have had the opportunity to meet her when she was approaching her 90th birthday.
Visit your local library or bookstore and enjoy the beautiful books she illustrated and wrote.

The August Break

Teaberry's Tea Room

Teaberry’s was created in a lovingly restored Victorian home as a refuge from the outside world. Inside you will feel pampered as the atmosphere is relaxed yet elegant, cozy and never rushed. Fresh flowers and linens adorn each table and the attentive wait staff will take excellent care of you. They believe it is enriching to add beauty and charm to the little details of our lives and at the same time it helps to slow us down as we appreciate the moment. Teaberry’s serves both a full lunch and afternoon tea all day Tuesday through Sunday during normal business hours. Teaberry's also carry's Marmalady's jams and jellies.             Visit Teaberry's at: 2 Main Street, Flemington, New Jersey 08822                            Phone 908-788-1010       Their website is: http://www.teaberrys.com The August Break

Sunshine Rose

Just loved the way the sunshine brightened the rose and my day.
May the sunshine brighten your day today.

The August Break

Summer Goal

Yes!!!!!
My goal, to capture a sweet hummingbird in my camera's eye.
The enticement was there.
I sat quietly and waited, finally I was rewarded.
Did you have a summer goal?

I am flying away for a few days, but your visits will still be a thrill.
I hope you will enjoy the next few days and I will have new stories when I return.

The August Break

Red Plaid

 

Have you ever had a favorite cookbook?
Did it teach you how to cook?
My very worn Red Plaid cookbook did just that for me many years ago.
When my husband and I got married all of a sudden I realized I didn't even know how to boil an egg, let alone make my husband a simple breakfast.  Now why didn't I think of that sooner?  Not sure, but it hadn't even entered my head.  Thank goodness someone gave us this cookbook for a wedding gift.
I soon had it open and it taught me how to cook.
Several years ago my husband thought I needed a new cookbook, but it just wasn't the same.
 I still return often to my Red Plaid cookbook, in fact an apple pie came out of the oven this week.

The August Break

Strong Women - Lady Bird Johnson

Wildflowers along the road sides.

Mrs. Johnson's environmental awareness inspired a deep interest in conservation and beautification.

http://www.wildflower.org/

The August Break

Gift of Jewels

There are some Gift of Jewels be given over at the Necessary Room.
Check it out.
Next week one day Marmalady's will be giving the Travel Tea Tumbler and jar of Cherry Amaretto Jam.
Visit - http://momentarysolace.blogspot.com

Washington Park Rose Gardens

It's fun when I can share a beautiful rose garden along with a shop that carry's Marmalady's Rose Tea Jelly.
The Rose Garden sit on the western side of Portland with a view of Mt. Hood.
It is definitely a must for anyone visiting Portland, Oregon
I love visiting there about 9AM before the tourist come along.
There is such a beautiful fragrance and quietness.
For more information:  http://www.rosegardenstore.org

The August Break

Sweet Summer Afternoon

Last week on a hot summer afternoon my husband and I joined both new friends and old friends for a picnic in the country.  We were celebrating visitors from New Zealand and met at this beautiful vineyard.  Yes, there was iced tea, my contribution, and wine, our hosts contribution.  What a delightful afternoon sharing friendship on a sweet summer afternoon.

The August Break

Summer Bounty

Summer Bounty

Raspberry Jam

Jam and Tea
Oh my, so delightful!
This makes my heart sing.

The August Break

Noticing JOY

 

My camera helps me notice what I notice.

My eyes help me see through the lens and jump for joy.

What are you noticing today?

The August Break

Strong Women - Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy

Sophistication and Style

When Jackie was ten years old she wrote a poem titled "Sea Joy."

When I go down by the sandy shore
I can think of nothing I want more
Than to live by the booming blue sea
As the seagulls flutter round about me
I can run about when the tide is out
With the wind and the sand and the sea all about
And the seagulls are swirling and diving for fish.
Oh – to live by the sea is my only wish.

For her biography visit this First Lady website

The August Break

Whirlygig for Tea Lovers

Any tea lover would just love this in their garden.
How fun to find on my recent travels in the northwest.

Reach

Reach for the sky
Let nothing stop you
Bloom and grow in the sunshine
My hollyhock is 12 feet tall
It is reaching
It has problems,
but still keeps growing
Reach no matter what

The August Break

Bunnies by the Bay

In the past two weeks I have had many opportunities for meeting fellow bloggers.
I was so excited to meet Krys at Bunnies by the Bay.
Victoria Magazine in the early 1990's wrote a story on Bunnies by the Bay
and I had dreamt of meeting the creative force behind this fun business for a long time.
10 years ago I visited Anacortes, Washington and stopped by the Bunnies by the Bay shop, but didn't meet the owners.  Then several months ago I came across Krys's blog and was thrilled to see what she was working on.  Last week I was again in Anacortes and Krys invited us to stop by her studio.
I had no idea what I was in for.  Krys and her sister both showed us around their warehouse studio where they develop the cutest baby books, baby clothes, baby toys, and whatever else pops into their heads.  I was blown away and oh would I have loved working in a creative environment such as this.
There were props for inspiration, soft lovable toys, the cutest characters any child (me included) would love, and that pink coat, oh my but any baby would love to be wrapped in that softness and cuddled.
If you haven't heard of Bunnies by the Bay definitely take a peek at their website and you will be enchanted.
And yes~they work right next to a beautiful bay, just gorgeous!

More than a few words for The August Break

A Secret Garden

There is a "secret garden" somewhere in Portland.
A place where you can sit a spell.
Enjoy a time of quietude.

Last week I had the opportunity to take two bloggers I had met online here.
We shared a time of quiet visiting and peaceful picture taking.
Visit Annie at The Best of My Life and Jone at Deo Writer to see their pictures too.
They were much more poetic than myself, but I enjoyed the day in my own way.

The August Break

Strong Women - Patricia Neal

This week Patricia Neal dies at 84.
Oscar won at 37.
Series of strokes at 39.
Daughter died of measles at 7years old.
Nominated for Emmy nominations.
Survived a divorce after 30 years of marriage.
Yet she persevered and was instrumental in starting The Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center for those that had suffered strokes and spinal cord/brain injuries in Knoxville.
Quote:  I don't lie down.....I'm fighting all the way.

The August Break

Tea, anyone?

Tea in the park, the perfect place for tea.

The August Break

JOY

Search for JOY
Find JOY
Acknowledge JOY

The August Break

Alberta Street Art Walk

Neighborhood Fair
Celebrate Summer
Let it all hang loose
Play

The August Break

Beautiful Lady

A chance meeting of a beautiful lady.
Meet Kelly Rae Roberts and visit her at kellyraeroberts.blogspot.com/
Reading her last post you will see what I mean by beautiful.

An August Break

Strong Women - Eleanor Roosevelt

Quote:
A woman is like a tea bag...
you don't know how strong she is
until you put her in hot water.

Picture from:  picsdigger.com
The August Break
More than one word, but simple for a strong lady.