My Cupboard, a bit Cluttered!

My cupboard tells a story.

A story full of celebrations, laughter, and delight.

The little mouse in cheese, a salt and pepper shaker, from my mother-in-laws collection.

Green depression glass for the dream of having a tearoom,

but served me well at tea parties.

The white creamer from my aunt, I am sure a garage sale find.

Violets and daisies, my grandfather loved and one day became mine.

A bird nest found along the way.

White china from my own wedding long ago.

A rooster that once adorned my table for a Tasha Tudor tea party.

A touch of pink just to finally accept loving the color and needing a touch.

A Christmas cup and egg cups for Easter.

Family celebrations, memories from my cupboard.

A bit cluttered, I must say; but it is what life is about

that fills our memories and often a bit cluttered.

Happy Weekend, dear friends!
Here's to embracing a bit of life's clutter.

Summer Memories and a Little Romance

 

While sipping my morning tea today I read the latest issue of Victoria Magazine.

There were stories of summer memories and it brought back several for me.

I will share one today and maybe more another day.

When I was in high school I spent several summers with cousins, aunts, and uncles

working in the apple harvest.  I was saving money for college.

There was a summer friendship that developed with one boy,

he had hoped it would be a lifetime romance.

For me it was a dear friendship.

He would say, "Come watch me play baseball tonight".

The games were in "fields of dreams", out in the country we would go in a pickup,

my cousin, a friend, this boy, and me.

The evenings were filled with starlight and warm summer breezes.

I would watch this boy and cheer for him.

It really didn't matter to me who won, for he had won my heart that warm summer night.

After the game there were large cauldrons of freshly picked corn on the cob, slathered in butter,

plus a truck load of watermelons warmed by the sun.

A meal can be made of just this.

Fresh juices running down our arms, no utensils were needed.

It was the delight of laughing and being together on this warm summer evening

that brings back memories of a summer long ago.

Though the romance didn't last, it is still a dear summer memory.

Do you have a summer memory to share either here or on your blog?

Let me know, I would love reading them.

Sail Away with Me

If you are a regular visitor to Delights of the Heart you know I love quotes.

When I looked at my pinterest board I realized I loved little sailboats too.

As a young girl I made paper boats, but hadn't made them in years.

Looking online I found instructions here for making them once again.

Having a heart that loves to create, even if just for whimsy and play,

I have been playing this week.

What wonderous fun it does for our hearts to play.

It just makes our heart sing.

Are you finding time to play this summer?

What fun are you creating?

My Tea Cupboard

My tea cupboard was looking a bit sparse.
As a tea lover that could have been a farce.
For I tell the tales of loving tea,
yet there was no tea in there for me.
So off I went visiting tea shops and online,
the best teas I wanted to find.
Now my cupboard is no longer bare.
I have enough I could even share.
Come by for a cup of tea.
I do believe you would be pleased.
~m.miller
a true story!

So if you would like to find some delicious teas online, visit teavivre.com
Let me know if you would like $8 discount, as I have 5 gift certificate codes to hand out.
Leave a comment and I will email you the e-gift card code.
Make sure I have a way of contacting you.
TeaVivre is celebrating an anniversary and is giving this as part of their celebration.
Congratulations, TeaVivre!

Playing with Bernideen at http://blog.bernideens.com/ today.

Monday's Quotes

Once you have tasted flight, 

you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, 

for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.

- Leonardo da Vinci

For me this is so true!

Be Open to the Unknown

Wherever we go, notice what you notice and find new paths.

From Carlos Santana:

Abundance is available to everyone all the time
Gratitude is the best way to tap unto it
The antidote for cynical ( cement mind set )
Is curious innocence
When you ignite aspiration fire in your heart
You raise yourself above fear and ignorance
Yes faith is the evidence of things not seen
Soar unto the sky of imagination
And touch the face of GOD
Being here now is more effective than time or distance
The unknown is your best friend for creativity

The abundance is available to all at all times
Gratitude is the best way to achieve it
The antidote for cynicism (a mind hard as the cement)
It is a curious innocence
When enciendas the fire of the aspiration in your heart
I you raise above the fear and ignorance
Yes, faith is the certainty of the things that are expected
Elevate to heaven of imagination
And he plays the face of God
Be here now is more effective than the time or the distance
The unknown is your best friend for creativity

I particularly like the final line in each paragraph,

but also my word for the year pops up here in "Gratitude". 

Have a wonderful weekend discovering the unknown.

Words in the Garden

 No one seems to want our "Free" offering today.

When tomatoes start showing up there,

it will be a change of heart.

This year there may even be pumpkins sitting here.

Our garden sometimes looks a bit "rag tag" at times.

I wonder if it is that everything is allowed to grow where it wants,

be what it wants to be.

A bit like life when we keep it clear of pests,

but don't weed it as regularly as it needs.

Life overtakes and it gets overgrown.

It is work, this life of ours;

but oh so rewarding.

Happy Weeding!

Music Please!

Everyday with you Girl, music please - click here
Choose the top one that says "Puppy Love".

Thought I would share the song going through my head this morning.

You're Welcome!  Smiling!

Just sit back, listen to the music and enjoy the day with a cup of tea for you and me

plus flowers from the garden.

 Sigh!  Are you relaxed yet?

A Tea Blender

T Project opened in Portland not long ago

and I have had the pleasure of visiting this lovely space a couple of times.

My second visit was to become more familiar with the tea the owner's, Teri, blends.

The teas have delightful names and blends of natural botanicals, plus organic products.

The atmosphere in the shop is so serene and beautiful.

I described it as Kinfolk in style.

Beside tea there are other delights of teaware, books, and lovely syrups.

I came home with a blackberry wild fennel syrup that I can't wait to experiment with.
Teri also loves to support artists; so you will find apparel and jewelry by local artists.

A sample of her blend of chai with roses should be called
Love Potion #9.  Normally I am not a rose fan, but with the chai flavors it
is just the right balance of flavor.

The tea Teri is featuring right now on her website is Golden Years,
gold-tipped Yunnan tea leaves and snow chrysanthemums.
Another lovely blend.

Visit T Projects website, www.tprojectshop.com
for more information on the location of this lovely new tea shop in Portland.
You will also find an earlier post on her shop with more details at www.beautifulPDX.blogspot.com

Monday's Quotes

To sit in silence at the shore, 

watch the waves and hear the surf,

 is to appreciate the very breath 

and heartbeat of the earth.

~Doe Zantamata

Visit my other blog at www.beautifulPDX.blogspot.com
to see photos and read about a delightful evening dinner
experienced over the weekend. 

Just the Two of Us!

 Tea in the Garden just for the two of us.

 The teacups are Balfour, Royal Crown Pottery,

Bone China made in England.

 Recently these two teacups came into my possession.

They were given for the two of us.

Tea time in the garden for

my "live-in gardener" and me.

We delighted in the cooler morning air

watching the birds flutter in the lavender nearby.

Enjoy tea time in the garden just for you and someone special.

Music to lighten your day, click here and enjoy:Just the Two of Us
and take you into the weekend. 
Happy weekend, dear friends.

Summertime

What says summertime to you?

Shaved ice is the ultimate summertime for me;

so recently I found a restaurant that serves them year round.

Does that mean I will have shaved ice in winter?

Possibly!!!

I adore shaved ice.

My favorite flavors are cherry, root beer, and banana.

Sometimes I have them combine the three.

Do you like/love shaved ice in the summertime?

Do you search them out and just smile when you find a source?

Now you know!

Shaved ice for me is my summertime DELIGHT.

Brew a Cup of Tea

When the world is all at odds

And the mind is all at sea,

Then cease the useless tedium

And brew a cup of tea.

There is magic in its fragrance,

There is solace in its taste;

And the laden moments vanish

Somehow into space.

And the world becomes a lovely thing!

There's beauty as you'll see;

All because you briefly stopped

To brew a cup of tea.

~William Gladstone

Found in the book I am reading right now:  Oolong Dead by Laura Childs 

I do love a murder mystery once in the while along with a cup of tea.

Cars

 A pink Thunderbird touched my heart with memories.

Many years ago a friends brother saw me waiting for a bus to head home after work.

He pulled over in a pink Thunderbird, one just like this, and said, how often do you

get a chance to ride in a pink Thunderbird?

Well my one time was then and I never forgot it.

Isn't it sweet?

Happening upon a parade of fascinating cars this one did make my heart sing.

"It's never to late to have a happy childhood"
The words on the dashboard of this green delight.

An unexpected parade of cars just made me smile, flames and all.

 More flames!

Oh I could just imagine driving this soft yellow sweetness.

Couldn't you?

Do you like to drive down the road with the wind blowing

through your hair?

Do you crank up the music a tad too load

and sing along to your hearts content? 

Does the adrenalin say go a little faster?

Or is it just me?

Monday's Quotes

"Our greatest happiness does not depend on the 

condition of life in which chance has placed us,

 but is always the result of a good conscience,

 good health, occupation, 

and freedom in all just pursuits."   

 ~ T.Jefferson

Mad Tea Party

Come, follow the sign, tea is awaiting!

Guests are beginning to arrive.

In the garden you will find the tea.

A visitor has taken up residence in my cup.
Oh Seth, you silly little mouse.

The rabbit says it is time for the Mad Tea Party.

There is good food to eat.

Doggies full of egg salad, celery caterpillar, butterflies with sprinkles,

and peanut butter, jelly, banana toad stools.

Don't forget the cookies.  Yummm!  I will have the ladybug, please!

Where is the tea please?

This hat is too big!

This hat is just right.

More tea please!

Every tea party must have a tutu and a little boy in a hat and ruffle shirt.

Welcome to our Mad Tea Party.
Won't you join us for a cup of tea.
In our cup was Blueberry Rooibos tea, oh yummmm!

Happy Weekend, dear friends!
Have yourself a very merry little Mad Tea Party too!

I am linking with the Mad Tea Party taking place this weekend
at:  http://afancifultwist.typepad.com/a_fanciful_twist/