My Garden Is Blooming

We have been having beautiful weather and I have taken time away from the computer
to enjoy more time in the garden and visiting with friends.  I thought you might like to
see what's blooming in my garden so far this summer.


"Ella" is new to me this summer and I think she is quite beautiful...

This rose has been with me for many years.  The apricot color varies with every stage of it's
blooming and it is always a surprise...

The final bloom is a softer hue and the size of a saucer...

Eternal Sunshine is always bright and sunny.  You almost have to wear sunglasses when this
rose is blooming, even on a cloudy day...

This is the show-off rose.  Absolutely loves to be dramatic...definitely not a shrinking violet....

I promise I'm getting to the very feminine pink roses!

The sage is also in full bloom which the bumble bees and hummingbirds love and all the flowers

benefit from that...

Even the cactus and all the succulents are in bloom...

Okay, back to the roses...

It looks like a little critter has landed on this old beauty...

Ahh, the lovely English roses....

Eglantyne is a soft and lovely pink rose...

Strawberry Hill is a bit brighter pink and also very beautiful...

I will save my other flowers for a future post.  Right now I am looking forward to visiting  all of your

lovely blogs over the next few days.

I hope you all enjoy a lovely weekend.

I am linking to

The Charm of Home

Cottage Garden Party

My Romantic Home

How Sweet The Sound

The RoseGarden In Malevik

A Little Time For Tea

After a hectic last week I decided to take a little time and enjoy a cup of tea.

As you can see, it is a bright sunny day here.  This little cupboard holds small watering cans.
The top three are white and the bottom one is a chintz pattern...

Whenever I get a chance I so enjoy taking a little time away from work, chores and gardening to sit
by a sunny window and have a cup of tea...

And a few strawberries...

They are enormous! And so very sweet and delicious...

I also made some home-made biscuits this morning.  I happen to love these simple biscuits
and they go perfectly with strawberry preserves or a bit of lavender honey...

I always love having a book or catalogue handy to browse through, don't you?  There is just something
so relaxing about having tea and enjoying a lovely book or magazine.

June is the month of roses so I picked a small bouquet for the table.  I even included

some older ones who's petals are beginning to fall, but that's ok...

Would you like to join me for a cup of tea?  I have a place all set for you...

I hope you are all having a wonderful week and are able to take a few minutes to relax.



I am joining
Home Sweet Home
French Country Cottage
My Romantic Home
Fresh Cut Friday
How Sweet The Sound

A Relaxing Afternoon

Last weekend I was getting a little worn out at catching up on chores and by Sunday
afternoon I decided to take a little break for a cup of tea...

And browse through this wonderful old book about roses...

It was published in 1914 and given to me a few years ago by my childhood (and
adulthood) friend, Stephanie Lloyd.

I love spending leisurely time with this book.  It even has a signature by a previous owner
or gift giver that is dated 1915.  The book boasts color plates and the pictures are
wonderful.

And,  as I was having my tea and enjoying the book my eye started wandering to some
of the antique perfume bottles I have.  My mother had a very large collection of antique
perfume bottles and when I moved out to California she would often send me one for
my birthday.  There would always be a sweet note saying something like "I was looking
at this and thought you should have it".  I thought maybe you might enjoy seeing a few too.
They are all hand blown and hand painted and very old.

The long thin bottle below was carried by Greta Garbo in the movie Ninotchka in 1939.
Unfortunately, the stopper was misplaced.

It really turned out to be a very relaxing afternoon.  Tulips, roses, dried hydrangeas and
a lovely book.  Not to mention a relaxing cup of tea.

How quickly time passes.  All of a sudden evening seemed to be setting in.

I also want to mention that if you hurry there may still be room in Jermaine's French-Kissed
Paris Shopping Spree trip.  For more details visit here or click on the notice on my sidebar. 
And remember to send me a postcard!

I hope you are enjoying your week!



I am linking to Rose Vignettes
I am linking to French Country Cottage
I am linking to My Romantic Home
I am linking to The House In The Roses