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.

A Gift for You - A Flower and a Poem

Three small bouquets graced my tea tray this morning.

Starting on the left is a small branch from my daphne bush and a hellebore bloom.

In the middle is a soft pink primrose, which will be planted in the garden at the end of the month.

And on the right is a hyacinths bulb beginning to bloom. I found it at Trader Joe's in the vase for $2.49 and couldn't resist this small treat of a flower blooming on my tea tray.

The tea this morning is Shui Jin Gui from Wuyi Origins in China. A very nice black tea perfect for my tea tray. It is like a flower in my cup.

"Some moment happens in your life

that you say ‘yes’ right up to the roots of your hair,

that makes it worth having been born

just to have happen…

laughing with somebody

till the tears run down your cheeks…

waking up to the first snow…

being in bed with somebody you love...

Whether you thank God for such a moment

or thank your lucky stars,

it is a moment that is trying to open up your whole life.

If you turn your back on such a moment

and hurry along to business as usual,

it may lose you the ball game.

If you throw your arms around such a moment

and hug it like crazy,

it may save your soul."

 ― Frederick Buechner

Toss your arms around each moment and savor each day.

Sending love and a flower.

A Secret Place, A Home

 Walking with a friend not to long ago I found this secret place in the tree. As a young child I loved finding secret places and this one would be high on my list of places to hide and dream. I would imagine it was the home of trolls or maybe even a ladybug family. I had a wild imagination playing by myself.

 

This week I received the Spring issue of Victoria magazine. Do you receive Victoria in the mail? I have followed along for a long time. Each issue is like a mini-vacation or escape. When I was reading it I found the question "Reflecting on all of the abodes where you have lived, which house truly holds your heart?"

 

Secret places of girlhood dreams definitely hold my heart. I had an adventurous heart and  traveled alone to imaginary worlds. Most often it was when my mom, sister, and I lived with my grandpa. A time when I was free to run, as long as I was home for dinner or when it got dark. There were friends in the neighborhood too and we could be found in the surrounding area playing hide & seek, softball, roller skating, or riding bikes. When the milkman came by on a hot summers day he would let us hop in his truck with chunks of ice and ride a couple blocks while sucking on pieces of ice.

 

The picture above is me on the left with two cousins and my sister while standing in front of my grandpa's house. There was an apartment above the garage in the background and I would dream of moving in there to live, it was like a tree house.

So I think it isn't so much about a particular abode, but about how it makes us feel. For me it was the freedom of adventure and friendships, a time to dream.
 

Now it is about just sitting on my back steps with a good cup of tea,

observing the day, and dreaming.
 

Do you have a house or place that holds your heart?

 

Happy weekend, dear friends?

A Gift for You - A Flower and a Poem

 

To Bless the Space Between

As this year draws to its end,

We give thanks for the gifts it brought

And how they became inlaid within

Where neither time nor tide can touch them.

The days when the veil lifted

And the soul could see delight;

When a quiver caressed the heart

In the sheer exuberance of being here.

 Surprises that came awake

In forgotten corners of old fields

Where expectation seemed to have quenched.

The slow, brooding times

When all was awkward

And the wave in the mind

Pierced every sore with salt.

The darkened days that stopped

The confidence of the dawn.

Days when beloved faces shone brighter

With light from beyond themselves;

And from the granite of some secret sorrow

A stream of buried tears loosened.

We bless this year for all we learned,

For all we loved and lost

And for the quiet way it brought us

Nearer to our invisible destination.

~John O'Donohue

 

I chose red flowers today because red is the color used in celebrating Chinese New Year's. The red keeps evil away and is used for protection.

Thank you, Grass People Tree for sharing this poem.

Happy Chinese New Year's to each of you and may your new year be blessed.

Friendship and Tea

During the past couple years I have missed tea parties and friends sipping tea together. I realized too how much work putting a tea party together was for me these days; so I decided I would invite one person at a time to come and have a simple teatime.

There are almost always frozen scones in the freezer; so that would be easy. There is always tea and water in my kitchen readily available.

I would just invite them for a cup of tea and a scone. Then depending on my energy level and the time of day I might add some fruit and a sandwich. My motto has become, keep it simple.

In keeping it simple I can relax and just sit for a good visit and sip tea, one person at a time.

When the weather allows we can sit outdoors or in the garden house, but in winter we have moved in by the fire or sitting at the dining table.

Candles were lit for the simple teatime last week and I see in the bottom picture there was a lit candle at Christmas time too.

A quilt was tossed over the coffee table by the fire at Christmas time. Each teatime is different and each one I treasure. I love it because of time spent with someone special.
 

Do you miss spending time with a friend or family member during this time of upheaval?

I certainly have. This is my remedy for having shared time. Before they come I let them know what I am serving and make sure they are feeling well. It has worked well for me and satisfied my longing for friendship and teatime.

Look for ways that work for you that satisfy your longing for friendship and a cup of tea.

 

Happy weekend, dear friends! 

If you were nearby I would invite you to come for a cup of tea, one person at a time.

A Gift for You - A Flower and a Poem

 

 

Today is more than one flower. As I walk into my market I cannot resist stopping for a few moments to admire the flowers. Sometimes a bunch of flowers get tucked in my market basket and home they come. Do you love "supermarket flowers"? They make my heart happy.

The words today come from a song by Ed Sheeran. I first heard of this song at a memorial service and it has remained in my heart. I think it is the perfect song for such an occasion.

 

 Supermarket Flowers

I took the supermarket flowers from the windowsill
I threw the day old tea from the cup
Packed up the photo album Matthew had made
Memories of a life that's been loved
Took the get well soon cards and stuffed animals
Poured the old ginger beer down the sink
Dad always told me, "Don't you cry when you're down"
But mum, there's a tear every time that I blink

Oh I'm in pieces, it's tearing me up, but I know
A heart that's broke is a heart that's been loved

So I'll sing Hallelujah
You were an angel in the shape of my mum
When I fell down you'd be there holding me up
Spread your wings as you go
And when God takes you back we'll say Hallelujah
You're home

Fluffed the pillows, made the beds, stacked the chairs up
Folded your nightgowns neatly in a case
John says he'd drive then put his hand on my cheek
And wiped a tear from the side of my face

I hope that I see the world as you did 'cause I know
A life with love is a life that's been lived

So I'll sing Hallelujah
You were an angel in the shape of my mum
When I fell down you'd be there holding me up
Spread your wings as you go
And when God takes you back we'll say Hallelujah
You're home

Hallelujah
You were an angel in the shape of my mum
You got to see the person I have become
Spread your wings and I know
That when God took you back he said Hallelujah
You're home

 

Sad on one hand, but it makes me happy too. 

Whoever he wrote this song for, she had a sweet life with super market flowers, tea in her cup, and memories.

Have a great week, dear friends!

Recovery Days

 

 Recently I read online about taking a "recovery day" or year. It was suggested that 2022 be a year of recovery. YES! I think that is why the word "BE" must have chosen me. I need to learn to just be. Be in place, Be gentle on myself., Be aware that others are hurting too.

 

So for a few days this week my "live-in gardener" and I visited his sister. It was also the first time in many years that we have celebrated her birthday with her. The first two pictures are views from her windows. Isn't it beautiful? It is a place we can just "BE", breathe, sleep, read a book, and visit.

I read Mitch Albom's new book, The Stranger in the Lifeboat. It is an easy book to read in a day or two, or even in one sitting. I would definitely recommend it if you want to also stimulate your mind to think on the existence of the Lord.

There are gorgeous vistas to visit, walk, and savor too. What you are seeing in the rest of the pictures is the center of Port Ludlow, Washington. The port empties into the Puget Sound region. There are definitely places to see and things to do.

 My "live-in gardener" and I are happy where we live in Portland, Oregon; but there are times when it is lovely to just venture out and see new surroundings especially when they are as beautiful as this and a place to just "BE".

Happy Weekend, dear friends! 

Take time to just "BE".