Focus on the Stars

 "Life is a series of tiny little miracles. Notice them." Anonymous

I saw this quote this morning on social media and had to share. It seems like just when I think I have it together and will get back to my own regular posting, life moves along and I miss you here. It's not because I forget you, but just "life". The little miracles do still enchant me and I still savor a sip of tea and a sniff of a beautiful flower.

Yesterday I attended the Eugene (Oregon) Tea Festival. This is the third year and it was amazing to see how many people came to sip tea.

My tea group gave a demonstration of the WuWo Tea Ceremony.

 

Then earlier in the week, on a bright sunshiny day, I visited some gardens. Very soon I will share some more pictures. It was a glorious day to celebrate springtime and sunshine.

 

 

And of course, my traveling teacup came along on the adventure.

 

There were iris's and lupines everywhere to enjoy.

 

What tiny little miracles for me this past week:

Flowers, sunshine, cup of a good tea, visits with friends, the symphony, seeing my cousin in his home by the river, brief sightings of my two children, and a hug from my #1 grandson. Oh!!! I even sat with my tea one morning by the pool at my apartment. What a treat!!

What tiny miracles did you savor this past week?

Sending love,

Marilyn

This Week - Back to the Joy of Flowers

 

 

 

Finally a week to take a breath of fresh air and flowers.

 

Last Thursday I had the first of two cataract surgeries.  I cannot see to read much, but I can still enjoy a flower or a thousand of them. It is springtime in Oregon and the flowers are coming in abundance.

 

 

Early in the week my "live-in gardener" and I ventured to the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm.

Yes, I still call him the "live-in gardener" even though we have left the garden. He still appreciates the flowers growing and has about 20 or more pots on our patio for plants and flowers. Once we get them planted for the warmer weather I will share them (probably June), as we have a late starting garden here in Oregon. I have bought a few plants, but there will be many more coming.

 

 

Normally I pick out these pink tulips as my favorite, but this year I was enchanted by the orange ones. There was an orange marmalade that really sang to my heart.

Here is the orange ones I mentioned above.

Even the daffodils were pretty!

Then today I took an adventure with a picnic and friend to visit my favorite apple orchard.

The orchard is part of Portland, but out on an island. It is open to the public, but I never see more than a hand full of people visiting there. It is so peaceful to sit with a friend under the blossoms of spring and the ripe apples in fall.

My friend is moving away and I will miss venturing with her here, but it will always call my heart to sit right here and see the white with pink blush blossoms entice the bees and me.

Tomorrow I will venture to the Chinese Gardens for their first ever tea gathering, a festival of sorts. We will celebrate the sun with a cup of tea surrounded by the beauty of camellias blooming while searching to see what else might be blooming in the garden on this fine spring week.

 I hope you are finding some flowers and sunshine in your part of the world. Plan an adventure and savor the day.

Sending love,

Marilyn

 

 

Trolls by Thomas Dambo

If you have been following along with me for this year you will know I have been intrigued by the trolls made by Thomas Dambo and crew from recycled material. I follow along with their adventures around the world on Instagram. So I knew I needed to go on an adventure or two to find the six in the Pacific Northwest. The first one was easy for it was in Portland, Oregon. I ventured there three times this past year and seeing it each time just made me smile.

This is the third time I visited with my "live-in gardener" and grandson. Isn't he cute?

 

 

 Pia the Peacemaker on Bainbridge Island, Washington.

My sister-in-law visited Pia with us and it also delighted her.

 Then there was the Bird King on Vashon Island, Washington found in January of this year.

So my adventure in September to visit my sister-in-law and then the tea festival in Seattle also included a search for the final three trolls in the Seattle area.

This one we found in among the trees in Issaquah, Washington.

It was about a half mile hike to find him.

I loved that part of the search included getting out in nature and enjoying a beautiful day.

And then again walking by the water for another half mile along the water front at Lincoln Park in Seattle, Washington. This walk included walking with a friend and a good little visit.

 

 

You can see, these trolls are not particularly small. Sitting or standing in with the trees they just delighted me.

 

And then finally the sixth one is found right in town. We almost drove right past it, but the GPS said it was here at the Norwegian Center in Seattle, Washington.

All six found. The whimsy and humor of the creator just made me smile.

It was a fun adventure.

It got us out in the world, discovering new surroundings.

It delighted our hearts. 

 

Have you gone on an adventure recently?

What were you searching for?

Did it delight your heart?

 

Sending love,

Marilyn

Bloedel Reserve

 Recently on my small adventure north we spent an afternoon walking and savoring a lovely autumn day at Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island, Washington.

I will try to post the rest of the trip in several posts this week.

Bloedel is just gorgeous. It was an estate set aside for the public to enjoy. From beautiful trees, flowers, a reflective pool, beautifully groomed trails, water ways, and the estate home.

 Golden leaves were just beginning to appear.

This was the entrance to the Japanese Teahouse. The teahouse is primarily set up for day retreats, no tea was being served.

I always love spotting flowers in bloom.

And unique trees too.

I actually have visited here on several occasions, but always look forward to each time I stop by. It is so peaceful and worth the visit. But then nature calls to my heart and at each opportunity I must go.

 

Sending love,

Marilyn