Focus on the Stars - Celebrations

 Christmas time comes with celebrations to cherish.

The beginning of the month of December I picked up a friend and off we drove through the countryside to a farm for tea.

And then I invited my women's group to my apartment for teatime.

I served sandwiches with cucumber, another with smoked trout, and then my favorite black olives. There were also fruit skewers, mince pies, and stollen, plus cheeses and crackers. And of course, there was tea.

My "live-in gardener" and I went out for French onion soup and a sweet. I was enamored by this restaurant Christmas tree.

Our realtor has a party every year where they give a freshly cut tree, greens, or a wreath. Plus the party has soup, hot drinks, and cookies/donuts. Since we used this realtor 23 years ago when we bought our house and then they sold the house for us at the beginning of this year, we are a long-time client. We love their annual party. The past 3 or 4 years we have enjoyed a wreath, but before that we had many trees.

A friend and I traveled to Salem, Oregon for the next celebration. Teatime at a historic house, Deepwood Estate. They had a storyteller sharing the story of Dickens and the Christmas story.

The tea was a rose scented black tea. Isn't the cup pretty?

There were trees decorated throughout the house.

I got to say hello to my little girl. She told me she was happy in her new home.

She was my doll for over 50 years and now lives at the museum to greet visitors.

This desk reminded me of my grandfather's desk. I could picture sitting here writing you a letter and sipping my tea.

There are also early morning personal celebrations just sitting on my green velvet couch with candlelight and tea.

A Christmas concert to enjoy.

Cookies to be baked.

And finally, a church program to attend.

Here is my "live-in gardener" reading The Night Before Christmas.

Christmas season is a time for celebrations, and I love them all.

Hoping you have had moments of celebration in the season of JOY.

I know sometimes there are challenges and sadness that go along with this time of the year, but for me I try to focus on the JOY and HOPE.

Sending love,

Marilyn

Words of Kindness and Joy

 The cookies just look so joyful.

The realtor that helped my "live-in gardener" and I buy our house 22 years ago has a Christmas event every year for all her past and present clients. She gives a Christmas tree or wreath to each one and has a fun event full of hot chocolate, coffee, soup, donuts and cookies. Last Saturday we got our wreath and had a cookie or two.

 Hot chocolate with a pile of whipped cream was a treat too.

There was a mail box for the kids to leave a message for Santa.

Family pictures were taken.

 

 What fun we had even in the rain.

The wreath is hung on my house now. Let the festivities begin.

 

Yes, the same realtor will be selling our house next year.

We love working with her and her new partner.

She is the kindest person and shares her joy regularly.

 

Isn't it special when a kind person crosses our paths and becomes a friend?

 

Sending love,

Marilyn

Tea Time on the Road

 I am so slow at posting my adventure recently.

My "live-in gardener" and I were celebrating our anniversary.

We left Portland and drove about 4 hours south where our first stop was to have afternoon tea at Teapot on Wheels in Gold Hill, Oregon. It is a little town along the I-5 highway, tucked next to a lovely winding river, Rogue River. Whenever we are headed south we try to make reservations here for tea. They do such a lovely teatime and the perfect place for a break in the drive.

Sorry I didn't take a picture, but just outside there was a wedding taking place overlooking the river. It was fun to see the absolute glee of the groom as the bride walked through the rose arbor and came into view.

We started with a pasta salad.

I sipped a black current tea that I always enjoy when in a tearoom like this.

Then there was a tier of goodies that included sandwiches: strawberry and cream, egg, cucumber, plus a lovely little quiche.

 

Scones with lemon curd, jam, and cream came next.

Sweets were a moist cake with dried flower petals, chocolate moose, strawberry, and shortbread cookie. Some of these treats traveled down the road with us for breakfast the next morning.

And of course since the Queen was nearby I had to have my picture taken with her.

It was a lovely way to start our celebration.

Once we arrived at our Air B&B in Jacksonville, Oregon that evening we had another lovely meal of celebration. Our daughter gave us a gift certificate for dinner.

What a way to begin a little mini-vacation. It was 4 days of good food and music. More to share another day.

 

Sending love,

Marilyn

The Butchart Gardens

 

As you know I took a week adventure recently. With a 5 hour drive we reached the ferry that travels from the US to Victoria, BC, Canada. It had been awhile since we traveled to Victoria and I was excited to finally have an adventure outside the US. We hadn't been outside the country since before the pandemic and it was time to go.

The first full day we visited The Butchart Gardens. Now I had been there before, but I love visiting in every season. It is so gorgeous. Let me know if you agree after reading my post.

Sometimes, when stepping into a new garden, I felt like I had stepped into Monet's garden. The salvia were so beautiful and by the end of our trip I came home with one beautiful salvia to plant in my garden.

Oh! And the begonias! Gorgeous!

If you haven't been in these gardens, the sunken garden always makes me smile. I think it might be the highlight for many visitors, as I always see the most people here.

And at the far end of the sunken garden are the dancing waters, so beautiful.

I could have sat there for a long time, but we had reservations for tea at 1PM. Off we went to explore some more.

Sometimes I like the road less traveled; so off I went.

There were a couple fountains along the way.

And dahlias!!! Isn't this pink one amazing?

Heading for the rose garden I found apple trees dropping their apples on the ground. I do have a weakness for a beautiful apple tree.

Heading for the rose garden.

They were amazing!

This one just glowed in the light of the day.

We walked through the Japanese garden, saw the peaceful marina, and headed through the Italian garden.

One stop to rub this guys nose for good luck before heading in for tea time.

A private garden next to the tearoom. We could just peak over the fence. Isn't it beautiful! I think I said that a lot throughout the garden.

And then it was teatime!! You know I love a good teatime and this is one of the best.

The savories/sandwiches and scones were imbibed right there, but the sweets came back to our room for later. Yummmmm! Do you like a good tea time?

We always stay in one of the garden rooms at Prior Castle Inn. Our room had this lovely patio just outside the door for morning tea. I grabbed a cozy blanket and sat out there for morning tea and meditation. It was so very special.

If you ever visit Victoria, BC, Canada, I can highly recommend this inn. Their breakfast is delicious too. The neighborhood is great for walking and on another day I will share a bit of a walk nearby.

Hope you enjoyed a bit of a travelogue.

Have a great weekend, dear friends!