A Sonnet to Springtime

If I could write a sonnet to springtime

it would be of roses full and bright.

The lily's would sing a song of joy.

Those lilac's would tumble

with the fairy sprites.

Sing a song dear springtime

with scents and colors bright.
Oh, Springtime is my Hearts Delight.

Happy weekend, dear friends.

Oh, the Magnificence of a Tree!

Beach near Cannon Beach

Apple trees  Woodburn, OR

 Sequoia at Yosemite

Coastal Redwood in N.Calif.

Gnome Beach aka Oswald West, Oregon coast.

 I found my place just inside this tree on Mt. Hood.

 The changing colors enchants me.

 And the tree just outside my window delights.

How I love trees, each with it's own personality.
They do enchant and delight.
As a child I spent much time in among their branches.
Swinging from the branches and feeling the wind in
my hair was a joy I will never forget.

Advice from a Tree (anonymous)
* Stand Tall and Proud
*Go out on a Limb
*Remember your Roots
*Drink plenty of water
*Be content with your natural Beauty
*Enjoy the view

Advice worth taking!

Love for You!

There is a lot of graffiti in my neighborhood.

Sometimes it surprises me and delights me.

This is on the side of a building all boarded up

and ready for a new life,

yet there was love there.

So simple and yet so much love portrayed on this old building.

I wondered if it was love for each of us that see this

or was it love for this old building?

It is so simple,

just to love.

To hold someone's heart in your hands

is something to be treasured.

Tea Time at Myrtle's

Tea time at Myrtle's in Richfield, Washington had been discussed

with my friend, Jan, for quite awhile.

Last week we ventures north for afternoon tea.

And what a very special tea time it was!

The tomato bisque was delicious.

Each sandwich was so fresh and a different bread, which made the sandwiches so delightful.

There was fresh fruit too, which I always love with my tea.

With an extensive tea menu it was hard to choose just the right tea,

but I ended up with a black ginger peach.

One of the few times I drink a blended tea is when I have afternoon tea at a tearoom

and this was a perfect match.

I loved the vintage Fransciscan ware our tea was served on.

It brought back memories of my step-grandmother, Myrtle.

Often by the time the sweets come along I am too full to eat them.

These sweets did come home with me, but enjoyed later in the day.

The upper left was as miniature mango scone, which was quite good.

Oh my, there were alot of pretty teacups and teapots in the gift shop.

There was another room beside this one that sold tea and books.

What fun this tea time at Myrtle's was and for sure there will be a repeat trip in my future.

Linking to Bernideen at http://blog.bernideens.com/

Notes from the Garden

Missing the little notebook today, as my computer with the photo is missing in action right now.

Never the less, here we are at Monday and Notes from the Garden.

The sky yesterday was just amazing, at moments there were raindrops and then there was this

glorious blueness!  Between the raindrops I stopped by to see what was happening

at my favorite rose gardens, not far from my home, Peninsula Park.

Welcome to this beautiful garden.

I found this lovely cluster of clematis wrapped around a light pole.

Ohhhhhh!  Roses were beginning to bloom.

I absolutely love the structure with the lined boxwood borders.

The yellow roses were in full bloom.

But I do believe this single petaled rose was my favorite.

Take time today to smell a rose or take a walk in a garden nearby.

I Spy

Traveling along country roads  during Springtime,

I spy apple blossoms and flowers.

What delights of the day are you seeing as you adventure

down the road?

Apple blossoms particularly sing to my heart,

for it was apple blossoms that enchanted me 

on the farms of my grandfather and uncles

while growing up.

So when I spy them along the road

I cannot help but pull out the camera.

The softness of the pink blush on the white blossoms

is a delight one cannot miss.

Tea Outdoors

 Silver Falls State Park, Oregon

was the perfect place for a photo shoot for Tea Outdoors

and then to sip tea.

 My favorite Asian teapot from Lin Ceramics in Taiwan

was just the right size for tea at the falls.

 The tiffin held the food.

A little hike with my "live-in gardener".

It was a beautiful day.

As the days grow longer

and the sun begins to shine,

find time to have tea outdoors.

Linking to Bernideen at http://blog.bernideens.com/

Notes from the Garden

The first rose deserves to be acknowledged with the first post

of "Notes from the Garden".

Lady Banksia is just gorgeous now on the trellis in my backyard.

But this was the first rose and the scent is just amazing!

Believe it or not it is a Peace rose, but the first bloom is always pink

and doesn't show it's yellow tints.  Sort of strange I think,

but I love that it shows up each year and scents the garden.

Welcome to my new Monday posts "Notes from the Garden".

Sometimes it will be from my garden, but it could be

from any garden that crosses my path.

Enjoy!

Adventure to the Tulip Fields

Of all the tulips I visited yesterday,

this soft yellow with the blush of pink

just sang to my heart.

The wind was blowing, brrrrrr it was cold, and mud was often in my steps;

but persevered I did, as it was tulips I was here to see.

There were places to sit awhile and enjoy the view, but I trudged on.

Don't you just love a pink tractor in the tulip fields?

What little girl or boy wouldn't want to peddle around

the tulips with this sweet thing.

Everywhere you looked were beautiful colors, but I just loved this mixed field so much.

It had been years since I had visited the Wooden Shoe Tulip Fields

and visiting on a stormy day ended up being just about perfect.

I hope you find something that makes your heart sing this weekend.

Happy Weekend, dear Friends!!!

Quotes

Recently I saw this on Facebook and was touched by the words.

It reminds me to have courage, to set out and be bold.

To follow my dreams even if they take a different twist or turn than I expected.

As you know I love quotes.

This one is a long one, but so true.

For quite awhile now I have had Mondays Quotes and though quotes

will show up in other posts from time to time,

it is time for a new Monday series.

Starting this coming Monday the new series will be

"Notes from the Garden".

It could be from my garden or another garden,

but I am looking forward to sharing

"Notes from the Garden" on Monday's.

Tea Time at the Park

 Sunday was time for tea in the park.

It was our first outdoor ceremony this year.

What a delight to join 11 others at the Viet Nam Memorial

and sip tea together.

 Each tea set is always fun to see.

 Savoring the afternoon sun delighted our souls.

 Serving our friends brings JOY around the circle.

Gathering together with hugs and meditation

it is tea time at the park.

At the end of sipping tea there is often a poem or quote shared.

This was the quote shared on this occasion of tea at the park.

 

"I take pleasure in tea,

appreciating it with my spirit and

therefore cannot explain why.

The spirit of the Way of Tea,

when put into words,

seems to banal."

~Sen Joo