A Word for the Week

 

Daffodils always shine for me during my birthday month. I consider them my flower. They bring me great JOY and laughter to see them sway in the early spring breezes. Each year I can TRUST that they will be there for me once again.

Trust can be a tricky word, don't you think?

I recently listened to a live chat (yep, I have been doing that a lot this past year) and two young women were talking about that word, TRUST. They said to TRUST in what you believe. Allow yourself to TRUST your intuitions.

Shel Silverstein said:

"There is a voice inside of you 

that whispers all day long,

'I feel that this is right for me,

I know that this is wrong.'

No teachers, preachers, parent,

friend or wise man can decide

what's right for you - just

listen to the voice that

speaks inside."

 

So when you see the first blooms of springtime, think of me

and remember to trust yourself and what you have inside. 

Sending love on this early springtime day!

Springtime, Am I jumping for JOY?

 

 Yesterday it was going to be a springtime day in my part of the world; so I made reservations at the Lan Su Chinese Gardens to see what springtime was showing it's lovely face. We were greeted by these lovely blooms along the sidewalk before even entering the garden. It just made me smile.

                                       There were several varieties of camellias in bloom.

The dark red of the Japanese quince just sang to my heart.

The tree peonies are just about to bloom.

More camellias!!!

New Leaves on a Willow

Where yesterday were bare gold stems,

March's windy stratagems

Have today miraculously

Wrought new leaves on a willow tree.

New leaves so mistily winged and small

They seem to spray from a waterfall;

Water cascading headlong to stop

Midway down on its breathless drop.

New leaves so sudden-green they scorch

The somber sky with a fiery torch;

New willow leaves...new dreams again;

New high resolves in the hearts of men.

Kitchen Sonnets by Ethel Romig Fuller

Then home to view my own garden and spring time. The daffodils have taken over my garden, they are so beautiful!

 

The roses are showing life, awakening!

 In front of the house, can you see all the yellow?

 A close up of the first camellias spied in my garden. Soon there will be many of them.

Do you love springtime as much as I do?

I almost feel giddy seeing new growth and color!

And the greens of springtime are always the best!

Speaking of greens, we even have peas now growing in the veggie garden.

I know, I know! Spring isn't officially announced, but once I see the new life

my heart is renewed.

Now with the vaccinations well under way, again I feel hope and renewal!

Have a terrific weekend, dear friends!

And yes, I am jumping for JOY!

March 8th International Women's Day

These words are for this week.

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY!

 "Here's to strong women. 

May we know them.

May we be them.

May we raise them."

~Anonymous (found in Tea Time Magazine) 

Purple is the color that represents justice and dignity,

it is recognized as the international symbol for women.

"Always be a first-rate version of yourself instead of a second-rate version of somebody else."       

    ~Judy Garland  (thanks Steph for this quote) 

 

A few days ago online I listened to a live chat honoring International Women's Month. What came from that conversation was:

Feminine is internal side of "yin" to the male "yang"

When there are more women involved in politics a country is less likely to go to war.

Kindness is the center of humanity.

Sharing our stories and love we become who we are in the fullest.

The final words were that the world needs more softness, more of the feminine side, less aggression, more kindness.

Part of my story. This picture was taken when I was about 10 years old at my uncles apple ranch. There was also my younger sister and three cousins that I had never met before. I am sorting old pictures right now and just loved this remembrance.

Celebrate who you are and definitely share your kindness and softness! 

Here I am with a cup of tea in hand, meditating on life.

This is not in my home, but a chocolate shop that has now closed here in Portland.

Have a good day, dear friends!

Teabag Art

 Whenever I happen to sip tea from a teabag, I save the bag. It is emptied of the wet tea, washed of tea particles, and then dried. What a special way to have art paper and sip tea too.

My art table is small, but in the perfect location to watch the wild life outside my window.

There is a vintage book of wildflowers, dried leaves and seeds, and other inspiration nearby.

The first thing I do is a rough sketch of what I have in mind for the picture. Then I dab on watercolor. Watercolor on tea paper can be tricky. If it is too wet it spreads in places I might not want it to go. After the watercolors dry, which is rather quick I sketch with fine tipped felt pens to frame and bring some control to those wild watercolors. I finish with a black pen, dark green pen, or a soft pencil.

These days there usually are two or three in process on my table.

If the teabag stayed in the bag shape I love tucking a dried leaf or a small treasure inside.

Sometimes there is a bit of whimsy.

My favorite subjects are flowers, mushrooms, trees, and a touch of whimsy.

I love that I have picked up the paint brush and pens during this pandemic time.

I really hadn't done much art since art school, because after I graduated in 1985 I went to work and raised two children. 

Have you done anything new or different during this time?

 

Have a terrific weekend, dear friends!

Hoping you are finding time to play.

A Word for the Week

 

Winter in the woods.

CLEARING

Do not try to save

the whole world,

or anything grandiose.

Instead, create a clearing

in the dense forest of your life,

and wait there patiently,

Until the song that is your life

falls into your own cupped hands

and you recognize it and greet it.

Only then will you know

how to give yourself 

to this world

so worth the rescue.

by Martha Postlewaite

A friend sent me this poem last week. I thought you would enjoy it too.

What came to mind after thinking on it for awhile, with the waiting joy comes in the morning. March 1st always brings a smile to my face because winter and the darkness is leaving and there is joy in the little things around us. My crocus and daffodil are beginning to bloom and they make for a happy heart.

When I think of the clearing in the forest I realize that is where the sun comes in. With the sun or the light I shine.

What makes you shine on this first day of March?

Sweets

 Well the month of February is almost over, so thought I must post a Valentine teatime.

 

The first time I saw a chocolate medallion was when visiting a chocolate shop in Paris.

For Valentine's Day this year I decided to replicate the medallion for a tea time treat.

They are actually quite easy and a fun thing to do.

I bought a chocolate bar at the market and melted it in the microwave.

On the parchment paper I traced circles where I spread the melted chocolate.

Then searching through my cupboards I found some almonds, cashews, dried fruit and

then sprinkled dried marigold petals from our garden on top.

 

I think they turned out rather pretty after a cooling in the refrigerator.

Shortbread cookies and chocolate mini-cupcakes happened to be in the freezer;

so thawing them out it was a buffet of Valentine sweets to celebrate the day of love.

And then it was teatime!

Have you ever tried replicating something your have seen in a bakery, chocolate shop,

or restaurant? How did it go? Do you keep sweet treats in the freezer for a special teatime treat?

Tea time is my favorite time to try for something pretty with sweets.

Happy weekend, dear friends!

Hope you have the opportunity to add a special sweet to your teatime.

A Word for the Week

 Color

                                       My garden house a week ago. Pretty wrapped in snow.

 

Ice on branches in the garden. Again pretty in a wintery way.

But color calls to my heart.

Color delights me. 

Much as I try loving neutrals

Color is the song most heard. 

The rhododendrons were found at a park near my house right before our snow storm.

The tulips were found at the market.

Does color sing to your heart?

Do you notice when it is nearby?

My heart is full with anticipation of springtime!

I am dreaming and making plans.

How about you?