Garden Quotes 2019

WHERE?

Where are the fairies?
Where can we find them?
We've seen the fairy-rings
They leave behind them!

When they have danced all night,
Where do they go?
Lark, in the sky above,
Say, do you know?

Is it a secret
No one is telling?
Why, in your garden
Surely they're dwelling!

No need for journeying,
Seeking afar:
Where there are flowers,
There fairies are!

from The Complete Book of the Flower Fairies

by Cicely Mary Barker
I couldn't resist another post on fairies
when I had a glimpse so close of the fairy in my garden.
She scampered away before I could get more of a picture.

Feels Good to Be HOME

Visiting my favorite antique mall a few days ago

the spring show just had this feel of being home.

I don't think it was on purpose, but everywhere I looked were places to sit awhile

and enjoy a few moments of a quiet chat, a good book, or a sip of tea

with a friend. What do you think?
Maybe this dress would be the attire of the day?

 A bit of color to while away a few hours.

 Oh, the time stands still for moments in the sun.

Soft light and a pillow, feet up, rest your eyes and dream.

I would bring to the table a pot of tea, a cucumber sandwich, and a sweet delight.

 Sweet dreams through gauzy light.
Would it be breakfast in bed?
Welcome to a new day at home.

Join me for a sit down and a chat;
plus a cup of tea.
Happy weekend, dear friends!

TweedPDX

"People going to beautiful places in vintage outfits on fabulous bikes.

Inspiring casual cycling for all types of people through vintage cycling events."

From TweedPDX (the Portland, Oregon group)

From the time I first heard of a Tweed group I was fascinated.

When I heard that they would be gathering for a bike ride last Saturday

I put it on my calendar to go and see them gathering.

No one knew who I was and no one asked, but they were more

than willing to pose for me.

What fun to see them gather.

It was like stepping into another era.

I loved seeing their outfits; of course I would.

I love period costumes and fashion in general.

 I love bicycles too.

When I was much younger I got around town on a bicycle.

Until I was 17 we didn't have a car in the family;

so bicycling was it along with public transportation.

 The smiles permeated the air.

The park where they gathered had vistas of downtown Portland and the Willamette River.

Have you heard of Tweed?

Is there an group in your area?

What fun I had photographing them without them knowing who I was;

I was sort of just part of the group for a few moments and I loved it.

This adventure to the park did inspire memories of biking,

but also of spinning and hanging out at the park.

I spied merry-go-round as I returned to my car.

What fun childhood memories came to the surface

on this a special day at the park.

Garden Quotes 2019

The Song of the Crocus Fairies

Crocus of yellow, new and gay;

Mauve and purple, in brave array;

Crocus white

Like a cup of light,-

Hundreds of them are smiling up,

Each with a flame in its shining cup,

By the touch of the warm and welcome sun

Opened suddenly. Spring's begun!

Dance then, fairies, for joy, and sing

The song of the coming again of Spring.

from The Complete Book of the Flower Fairies

by Cicely Mary Barker

I love seeing the crocus as a welcome to Spring,

such a sign of hope.

Tea from Assam - A Special Treat

When I saw a picture of a tea on Facebook I had admired it's beauty.
It was a handmade black tea made by Heritage Tea Company.

Then the day before my birthday a package arrived at my door
that had this very beautiful tea inside.

What a very special treat from Rajen and June Baruah in the Assam region of India.

Now this is a very special treat partly because it was handmade,
very little was made, and the thought behind sending it to me was so kind.

I have totally enjoyed it.

When you pour the hot water over the tea and can smell a beautiful scent in the steam,

you know it is going to be good.

It is very smooth and even though it really doesn't taste like apricots

that is what is brought to mind when I sip.

It starts out just a bit tart and is backed up with sweetness,

just what I like a bit of dimension in my cup and then in my throat.

From Rajen:

"These handmade long leaf teas were custom made for select buyers who value the artisan method  of tea making. We kept the batches small in quantity and high in style. The leaves carry the flavors of the late autumn harvest from mid September to late November. We made a total of 3 kilos of which most of it sold out till mid January . 

Meanwhile the same style is being replicated with the Spring Harvest 2019  and if any one is interested they can contact Tealet.  They will also be able to lend you additional information having tasted the last batch on this recent visit to us."

So if anyone is interested in some special black tea contact Elyse at Tealet.com.

Right now she is traveling in India, but after she returns she will have some special teas

to savor and sip from Heritage Tea Company.

In photographing the tea I thought it deserved a bouquet of flowers from my garden.
Congratulations! Rajen and June

Sipping as I write to you!
Isn't the tea pretty in the cup?
Happy Weekend, dear friends!

Tea Bowl Style and A New Cup

  With my occasional posts on different ways of having or making tea

I thought you might enjoy my friend Stephanie's post on making matcha in a bowl.

Here is the link: http://stephcupoftea.blogspot.com/
 

Please visit her blog as she does such a lovely explanation. 

I haven't gotten into matcha or making tea in a bowl,

but I enjoy seeing others do it.

The bowls remind me of cereal bowls

and when they wrap both hands around the bowl to sip,

it is a beautiful thing.

I have had the opportunity a couple times to sip this way,

but I usually enjoy sipping English style or just in an Asian small cup.

It is another way of celebrating with tea.

My most recent teacup find is English style transferware,

Spode, Mayflower, made in England.

As I was leaving Lovejoy's Tearoom recently I saw it on the shelf,

after thinking about it until the next day I went back and bought it.

A perfect addition to my transferware collection,

as I didn't have this particular color.

Now off to do a bit of sipping.

 Happy Wednesday, dear friends.

Garden Quotes 2019

More than half a century has passed,

and yet each spring,

when I wander in the primrose wood

and see pale yellow blooms,

and smell their sweetest of scents...

for a moment I am seven years old again

and wandering in the fragrant wood.

~Gertrude Jekyll

All pictures are from my garden this week. 

Have a delightful week, dear friends!