Sitt'n and Dream'n

 

I adore a pretty Adirondack chair to sit in and dream in.

Recently I had an email from the magazine, Bella Grace. They send me encouragements to subscribe. The magazine is gorgeous, but expensive; so I just enjoy getting their ad emails. Now in most cases I unsubscribe, but this is one I look forward to. They always have a link to something fun and free.

Recently they had a list of 35 Joyful ways to settle into Spring. I thought I would share a few with you to think on when you find a few moments to sit in a pretty chair.

1. Refresh your closet with a burst of cheerful paint.

3. Line a windowsill with pots filled with herbs.

8. Keep an eye on the sky for migrating birds.

13. Practice the art of strolling.

15. Visit a flower market and splurge.

20. Put lemony bar soap in your drawers as sachets.

23. Eat a decadent breakfast.

24. Paint your toes like a spring bouquet.

28. Stargaze.

33. Take note of the change in light.

35. Start taking the stairs.

All three of these chair pictures I found when out and about this past Spring.  I love finding them and dream'n too.

Books finished this week are the first in the 3 part Timeslider series by Santa Montefiore called Shadows in the Moonlight. I always love a time travel adventure. A gift from a friend was Lessons from Cats for Surviving Fascism by Stewart Reynolds. A very quick book to read and made me smile with the comparisons to cats in our society today.

What would you add to the list of Joyful Ways to settle into summer?

Oops! I just noticed I forgot to post this in springtime, but summer works too.

Sending Love,

Marilyn

Easter week

 “Tea to the English is really a picnic indoors."  Alice Walker

A dear friend that also has a March birthday decided we needed to celebrate March birthdays with a bit of tea and cake, plus a yummy sandwich and crepes too.

Looking back at my pictures for the week I realize it was mostly about teatimes indoors; though there was one venture to the tulip fields and one yellow chair. I can never resist taking a picture of flowers and Adirondack chairs, especially a yellow one (my favorite color). If you have followed me for a long time I once told a friend that the reason I wanted a good camera was to take pictures of Adirondack chairs by water; but an ocean of tulips will do just fine too.

And then I met two friends at a teashop to sip tea and gather information for the British tea tent coming up on June 27th for TeaFestPDX. I have been organizing that tent for 10 years and will be stepping down this year. I have an amazing team taking over; so this was a good transition meeting. Wasn't that a cute tea set?

But the highlight of the week was Easter teatime. Even though it is a lot of work to prepare, I love this gathering of dear ones. One friend always brings the most gorgeous salads and I make everything else. This is when I miss my dining room and table; but this year I reserved the clubhouse at our apartment. Other than a few broken saucers (sniff) it worked out quite well. 

Isn't this a beautiful salad?

There was also deviled eggs, asparagus wrapped in ham, radish sandwiches with goat cheese, smoked trout sandwiches with a touch of a lovely lemon chutney made by a dear friend, small slices of lamb/pork meatloaf wrapped in puff pastry, chocolate eggs, chocolate olive oil cake with strawberries, and macarons. Before the gathering at the table there were two cheeses with gluten free crackers.

It was an extra special week of tea times gatherings, plus flowers to fill my head and soul with beauty. The colors of Easter and Springtime enchant me.

Hoping your Springtime is extra special!

Sending love,

Marilyn

Over the River and Through the Woods

When my "live-in gardener and I left home a few days ago the sky looked like it had fallen to the ground with a curtain of fog; but we decided to go to the beach anyway. It is about an hour and a half drive through the trees. For some reason the fog just made the adventure more intriguing and beautiful. I was in love with the way it danced among the trees and over the water.

Even on a clear day this swap intrigues me. There are usually many birds to see, including herons. We were not disappointed, though you won't spot any in my pictures. These were quick snaps as we traveled past.

The silhouettes of the bare trees made for a stark, dramatic sight.

We finally arrived! I adore the beach any time of year, but there is something just magical in a winter beach. Is it the wildness? I think so! I do love just a touch of the wild in my life and I get that from a winter beach.

 

We stopped here for a driving break and there was a touch of color in the upturned boats.

And as there is no Adirondack chair that passes me without a photo shoot, more color was added to the day.

And speaking of wild, just at the edge of town where we stopped for a bite to eat was a small herd of elk.

I did say no Adirondack chair passes me by without a snap of my camera, here are some more chairs waiting for a sunny day to sit and watch the waves roll in.

Some chairs resting and waiting for travelers to come again.

With a lunch of fish and chips in our tummy's we were ready to come home again through the foggy trees.

 Oh!!!! I love a foggy, wintery day at the beach.

The drive delighted me just as much as the destination.

Do you love a foggy day?

Happy weekend, dear friends!

Go out and find the wild.