The Time is Nigh

The time is nigh.

This weekend two events take place.

The darkness and breeze blow hither and yon.

Is it time for ghosts and goblins to stroll the street

threatening tricks for treats at your doorstep?

But take note!

After the goblins have left turn back your clock

for now the time has come when the days certainly

fill with darkness.

Are you ready, dear friends?

Do you mind those long winter nights?

Warm up the kettle, savor the night

with a cup of tea or spiced apple cider.

Happy Goblin Delights this coming dark night!

Sending warm hugs!

Not Only is the Pumpkin on the Vine

Pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, pumpkins on porches,

and pumpkins on our heads.

Costumes delight.

Masks that scare.

Our porches turn on the lights.

A pumpkin or two sitting there to light the way.

Pumpkins enchant us.

They delight.

Tucked in a nest oh so right.

Celebrate autumn with a pumpkin or two.

For each season is reason for celebration, laughter, dancing, and fun!

Halloween Enchants

From white miniature pumpkins to

dancing clowns Halloween is full of play time.

Scary black kitties and crows

are a frightful display.

Yet flowers in potent bottles of brew

enchant and delight me.

Do you dance by the light of the moon?

Dress in a scary costume?

Or just be enchanted by the little signs

of goblins just outside your door?

Tea at the Beach

Often when traveling to the beach

a stop for tea at La Tea Da in Tillamook, Oregon

is on the agenda.

The trip this past weekend was no different

than before, only the table and cup were different.

I loved the gurgling fish pitcher for water.

The afternoon tea was delicious.

Oh how I love the savories and sandwiches

with my English Breakfast tea.

What a treat!

But there were more opportunities for tea at the beach.

Sitting at retreat I shared tea with others.

We sipped tea and had a craft time too.

And then since I was hosting the traveling teapot for the month

of October, there was tea on the beach.  

How I loved sitting right here watching the waves

with that little blue teapot.

If you would like to read my post on the little blue teapot

visit the link on the right side bar for the traveling teapot and enjoy!

There are so many ways to enjoy tea time from a formal

tearoom, sharing with others, and sitting on the beach dreaming with a cup in hand.

I do hope you find each opportunity to have a cup of tea and savor the moments.

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

Monday's Quotes

 You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage

to lose sight of the shore.

~Christopher Columbus

Bewitching Hour

The time has come.

The Bewitching Hour is creeping over the moon.

Soon, yes soon it will be here.

Are your ducks in a row?

Are the skeletons out of the closet?

Are you ready to play?

Nibble a bit on a sweet.

Get ready!

Laugh!

Play!

Happy weekend, dear friends!

Now go play!

Chairs and a Nursery

Walking into this nursery in Sutter Creek, California my heart just sang.

Out came my camera for I had to photograph those chairs.

I am not sure what it is that makes my heart sing, but I love chairs,

I love nature in the outdoors, don't you just love that ladder with the pots on each step?

Ohhhhh and that peeling paint on the picket fence?

A birdbath, ladder, and flowers do delight.

Even the peace sign on the door makes me smile.

A blue chair makes me swoon.

How I would love tucking that in my garden.

Or maybe this chair with a flower pot sitting right under my tree.

That old stove and clay pots, oh I am in heaven here.

When out and about what makes you smile, swoon, and your heart sing with JOY?

Notice what you notice!

Tea Time in the Garden

 Autumn tea time in the garden.

 What could be more delightful then flowers blooming,

leaves falling, the softness of a cloudy day breeze,

and tea time?

Take time to have tea outdoors wherever it may be.

It could be in the garden or by the sea.

Enjoy the colors that surround you for soon

the darkness will arrive and we will look for new delights of winter time.

Plum Deluxe

Portland Rose City Chai, isn't it gorgeous?

Side by side tasting.  How fun to taste these special blends

from PlumDeluxe.com.

There were 4 different teas in my mailbox when I returned

from a recent adventure.

Each was so beautiful with flowers and tea together

in the filter and then to enjoy the scent and flavors so artfully put together.

Portland Rose City Chai

"Sip a bit of Oregon in your cuppa"

The fragrance was a delight, very smooth flavor.

It was good, but a surprise chai with rose petals, almond rooibos,

cardamon, ginger, cinnamon, lemongrass, blackberry essence,

Love, Gratitude.

Oregon Breakfast Black Tea

"Like a beautiful sunrise, celebrate today

with this rich, bright cup of love."

Of the four teas I sampled, this was my favorite.

It was a yummy, nutty blend of black tea, honeybush tea, orange peel,

hazelnut essence, Love, Gratitude.

A nice wake me up blend, smooth, not overbearing, but the combination

of nutty and black tea was just perfect.

Deluxe Pumpkin Spice Tea

"It's a pumpkin party! Pairs well with pies and cookies,

sweaters and blankets."

 A light spicy scent and flavor, which I appreciated in a fall blend

with just a touch of pumpkin.

Sunshine in a Cup Herbal Tea

"Sometimes you need a tea that perks up poor moods

or cures a case of the blues"

The calendula flowers and hibiscus flowers made such a lovely

combination for a herbal tea.  You would need to like hibiscus

to really enjoy this tea.  Bright red when steeped.

It was good with sparkling water for a lovely

iced treat in the afternoon.

Plum Deluxe teas are blended with Love and each would be wonderful

with an English Afternoon Tea experience.

I must say Andy Hayes, the owner of Plum Deluxe, chose the right person

to taste his Oregon blends, as I live in the heart of Oregon. 

 He has a tea of the month club worth checking out

at www.plumdeluxe.com

Monday's Quotes

You need only claim the events of your life

to make yourself yours.

When you truly possess all you have been and done.....

you are fierce with reality.

~Florida Scott Maxwell

Columbia, CA. and a Winner

 Taking photos through the window sometimes creates delightful images.

 Do you see hints of teacups?

Love old buildings!

Dressed for the era when Columbia was a thriving community.

When my children were young I visited Columbia, CA.

Since then I have had several opportunities to return and

always with delight.

I just love strolling through this village.

All the old buildings sing to my heart.

A ride in the stage coach was new to me

and I loved riding through the nearby country side.

Are there places that sing to your heart when you visit?

Please share in the comments, I would love to visit there I am sure.

Oh yes, I said there would be a winner, didn't I?

The winner of my drawing is:  Judith at Lavender Cottage.
Judith, please send me your address and your package will be in the mail.

Happy weekend, dear friends.

You are all winners in life and may you receive the gifts

of delight wherever you go.

Autumn is in the Air

Everywhere I look this fine October season

I see Autumn.

It surrounds me.

It enchants me.

It tickles my fancy as I walk in the market.

The candy apples are the perfect addition

to say let's delight in the season of harvest

and embellish it with love.

These colors of the season just make me smile.

This is the last day to sign up for the give-away I mentioned on Oct. 6th.

Stop by that post and sign up.  I will be drawing a name tomorrow.

Happy Autumn Days!

Cousins, a DELIGHT

My mother's extended family has always been dear to me.

There were 26 grandchildren, so lots of cousins.

Now those cousins have many children too.

Three years ago the girl cousins started gathering together

for a weekend of shared stories and play, plus good food too.

This is the first year I was able to join them.

I am the oldest girl cousin and remember carrying some of them

on my hip.

How totally delightful to gather together in condos in Angel Camp, California.

We shared meals together and shared our stories.

Secrets were revealed and differences in our remembrances shared.

Afternoon tea, zip-lining, shopping, and walking through a cavern

were part of playing together.

I absolutely loved getting acquainted with some of their daughters.

These times together are precious and must be treasured.

Thanks to these lovely ladies, it was a DELIGHT.

Butchart Gardens

One more post from Victoria, B.C. just because it was

the main reason to visit there.

This lantana was amazing!

Every season has it's own kind of beauty at Butchart Gardens.

The last time I was here was early spring, so visiting in early fall was just a whole different experience.

The begonias were just gorgeous!

The view from here always touches my heart.

Walk with me here.

The dancing waters just sing of beauty!

I hope you enjoyed a walk through the gardens.
It is pure delight and definitely worth the visit to Victoria, B.C.
Now I am off on another adventure, so come back next week to see where I am.
Taking adventures is the very best, whether in your own backyard or far away.
Happy weekend, dear friends!

PS - Don't forget the give-away on October 6th post.