After the Rain...in the garden

As with many friends all over BlogLand, we have been experiencing very hot,humid and a "where's the rain?" kinda of summer. Well for the past few days, Mother Nature decided to pour out her laundry basin on us. The gardens are most thankful! 

Let's take a walk down by the stream first...

Everything is so lush and green after a really good down pour...

These grow wild along the stream.... a very pretty soft pink

The Butterfly garden is changing once again ....

and the colours are vibrant ...

Over at the Angel garden it is now mostly green .... but there is a small hint of purple

The Blue Bird is calling to our feathered little friends to come and cool off in the rain water...

The hot sun has tired these beauties out ....

and some new garnet like lilies have join in the choir of the garden...

"Of all human activities, apart from the procreation of children, 

gardening is the most optimistic and hopeful.

 The gardener is by definition one who plans for and believes and trusts in a future, 

whether in the short or the long term." ~ Susan Hill 

Sharing this post with:
  The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays  ~Twig Studios for Sunday Show Off ~ Under the Table Dreaming for Sunday Showcase Party ~  Mosaic Monday - Bloomin' Tuesday - Tuesday Garden Party -  Outdoor Wednesday - Cottage Garden Party - Fertilizer Friday - Farm Fresh Friday -Feathered Nest Friday

Afternoon Tea and Hammocks

So happy you stopped by for a visit today.

There is just something about enjoying a cup of tea surrounded by nature.

This masterpiece by Darien inspired this outdoor hammock setting last summer. Below are some photos from a lazy afternoon in the summer of 2011, which I shared over at my other blog, last summer.

This truly was a great place to lounge and read and write....

nibbling on fresh fruit and sipping iced-tea....

Can't wait for the champagne grapes to arrive at our local garden market, this year!!!

from the location of this hammock the gardens are not in view ... so I used a  Limoges teacup and saucer, topped the teacup with a matching butter dish insert to create a floral frog , added a lily from the garden - and voila ... instead garden treat!

As much as I have enjoyed this hammock setting ...

The extreme heat we have been experiencing this summer has me longing for a hammock near the water, like in this beautiful painting by Wiles. We don't have a large lake like in the painting... but we do have a stream! So I set about finding a place on the property that would be a perfect setting for view of the stream and provide a cool place.

Mr. G. is working on transforming the area between these trees as such a retreat. He has cleared the over grown area between the trees, and set up a temporary hammock (not properly secured yet) to give me an idea of what it will look like. I'm looking forward to the completed project and enjoying the lazy hot summer afternoons of August ... taking tea in nature and looking out to this.....

Thank you for visiting.

Sharing this post with:
Table Top Tuesday ~ Antiques and Teacups for Tuesday Cuppa Tea ~ Rose Chintz Cottage for Tea time Tuesday ~ Artful Affirmations and Martha's favorites for Teacup Tuesday  ~ A Return to Loveliness Tuesday ~  between naps on the front porch Thursday ~ 

A Little About the girl behind High Heeled Life ...(moi)

I really am humbled when my little corner of BlogLand is recognized by a fellow BlogLand friend. Though I usually decline to participate (it can become most time consuming to do all the things that is sometimes required in accepting an award). But, this one provided the opportunity to share with readers a little something about me that they may not already know (especially if they are new readers). So thank you Jessica for awarding High Heeled Life the Very Inspiring Blogger award.


 If you have not been over to The Entertaining House, what are you waiting for? Jessica is a brilliant writer and photographer; successful entrepreneur and loving mother. You can learned a little more about Jessica Here.


Now,  7 things you may not already know about me:

1)  One of my favourite movies is Under the Tuscan Sun ... I can (and have) watched this movie many times. I love the underlying message. That we all get exactly what we ask for - perhaps not in the way we "want" or expected it , but in the the way we need it and when we are ready. I love this clip! Under The Tuscan Sun - Ladybugs - clip.

2) As much as I love living in North America, I hope to one day return to living in Europe if not full-time , at least for a few months out of the year, living in the countryside. My choices - in no particular order France, Italy, Portugal.

3) I traveled to Thailand, Hong Kong, Macau and Seoul Korea with friends in my mid twenties. I was never interested in visiting Asia - but when my friends (whose parents live in Hong Kong) suggested I join them, it was an opportunity to see countries I otherwise would not have seen. So happy that I went, it was a fabulous trip!

4) Despite spending summers close to some of the best beaches in the world (Algarve), during my childhood, I have not learned to swim. 

5) I have an artificial right elbow. ~  I was not able to touch my face with my right hand for almost 1 1/2 years after my accident. The elbow had been completely shattered and was fused in a handshake position. I went through horrific pain as Rehab Therapists tried (without success) to get movement from it. When I was finally able to see the specialist - he was amused that anyone had tried as it was FUSED - there was nothing there - it had been shattered beyond repair. 


The specialist further informed me that I would never have use of my elbow again. When I inquired about a replacement elbow ... he informed me I was too young to be considered. Long story short he referred me to a colleague at Sunnybrook , who agreed to do the replacement. I still do not have full use of my elbow/arm, nor pronation or supination (turning of wrist and forearm) on the right arm  due to numerous plates and screws required to repair the multiple breaks in the forearm. 

You will find a post here on my elbow.

6) I am outgoing and friendly but very much an introvert too!This is a huge departure from my High Heeled Life days in the city when outgoing, friendly, adventurous, social - very much an extrovert would have described me. I have always been comfortable with my own company - but these I prefer it so much more. 

7) I Can't change the past .... I don't Know if tomorrow will come .... I live for the moments that make up today!

There you have it ... a little about me, you may not have known.

Now I will pass the key board to all High Heeled Life readers who may wish to share a little about themselves.

If you decide to share, please feel free to grab the above award. And if you do, drop me an email (fallingoffahighheeledlife@gmail.com) with the link to your post and I will be happy to add it here.

Jessica, thank you. You are one of the most inspiring ladies I have had the pleasure of getting to know in BlogLand. I always look forward to reading your posts.

These fabulous people are also sharing a little about themselves ~ pop on over for a visit and perhaps make a new BlogLand friend.

The Entertaining House

We can learn from children...

Every year Mr. G's nieces' school supports Angel Hair for kids. Students are given the opportunity to give back , by growing their hair and then donating it to AH for kids, to make wigs for children who have lost their hair to cancer. 

The nieces take turn having their hair cut (as it takes 2 year to grow hair long enough - minimum of 10 inches is required to be able to use hair for the wigs). This year it was Miss M.'s - (niece/God daughter) turn., and I was able to attend!!!

Unconditional giving to others in need ... some adults can learn from children.

This year Miss M was given the option to skip a year as she has her 1st Communion in early 2013. But, she would not hear of it. Her Mother is a most giving person and Miss M. is following in her mother's generous giving ways.

Even the boys volunteer to have their heads shaved in support of children battling cancer.

I believe the event is in it's 4th or 5th year at the school. Local hairstylists donate their time to cut the braids and then provide the children with a blending hair cut.

You can see how much difference the back length is than the sides ...

Miss M's class showing their support for her!

 At her young age she is always more than willing to give to others and always thinks of others. 

Miss M. is a remarkable young lady!

Do you have an organization like Angel Hair for kids, in your community?

Click here to learn more about Angel Hair and A Child's Voice Foundation

Evening Tea on Dolce's and Gabbana's Patio

This summer the weather has been extremely hot with lots of humidity, making being outside next to impossible for me. Thus Dolce's and Gabbana's patio  area garden did not get done, perhaps some autumn bulbs will replace the weeds you see growing in what is suppose to be a flower bed.                                                                                  

We haven't spent much time with our furbabies on "their" patio, no worries ~ they have been with us on the back patio that is under construction, but has beautiful view of the garden. 

One evening last week ... after a super hot day (100 plus degrees) the evening was a wonderful cool one and we decided to take tea outside after  dinner. 

To add some colour and floral , I brought out one of our Orchids from the kitchen.

For our evening tea - I used a white teapot, placed our teacups on embroidered cotton place mats, of course  tea requires a sweet or two ~

Orchids are one of my all time favourite plants!! Though I'm not that great at keeping them flowering. 

Does anyone have any tips for growing Orchids indoors?

These teacups are  a memento from our trip to Victoria B.C. where we stayed at the Fairmont Empress Hotel and Mr.G experienced his first afternoon tea.  

The Empress Tea China was originally presented to King George V in 1914 upon the opening of the Booth factory in Stoke-on-Trent, England.

The china was first used by The Empress in 1939 for the Royal visit of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. The pattern is now produced by Royal Doulton exclusively for The Fairmont Empress.

 

The tea is Casablanca, a sweet mint tea & bergamot produce by MARIAGE FRÈRES  in Paris. Perfect for a cool summer evening.

This is a teacup that I have yet to use for tea. I fell in love with it's double handles and delicateness and I love that it is footed. The bottom of the cup says:

Made Expressively For Bailey . Banks . Biddle co.

Philadelphia . PA .

Patented

and there is also a green marking that looks like a C over an A

The china is super delicate and quite translucent , here it's working well as a sugar bowl...

Dolce and Gabbana enjoying our company on "their" patio...

Thank you for stopping by for tea today ...

Sharing this post with:

 The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays  ~Twig Studios for Sunday Show Off ~ Under the Table Dreaming for Sunday Showcase Party ~ Mosaic Monday ~ Antiques and Teacups for Tuesday Cuppa Tea ~ Rose Chintz Cottage for Tea time Tuesday ~ Artful Affirmations and Martha's favorites for Teacup Tuesday