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Inspiration for living a luxuriously and balanced life

Monday, June 11, 2012

Peonies , Roses and a Give Away Winner

The garden is alive, each morning there a brilliant surprise awaits us on our morning walk. This morning the peonies were bursting open releasing there magnificent fragrance with each unfurl of a petal. 



We thought the deep pink/reddish ones would open first. Mother Nature had other plans ... and the pale pink and white ones are the leaders.


Garden inhabitants are also out and about ... these little miracles paused long enough to be captured in photo.


Many of our roses are full of  promising buds, but it was this rose - MY HERO - that graced us with the first glimpses of rose beauty ... appropriately in time for Father's Day ...as regular readers will recall the rose garden was planted last summer in my father's memory. 

Thank you to everyone who entered the Gardener's Box give away. And welcome to new followers and readers. The winner is...


Judith author of Lavender Cottage!!!

Congratulations Judith, enjoy your Gardener's Box!! Please email your mailing address and I will get your Gardener's Box ..right off to you.






Participating in...

Seasonal Sundays ~The Tablescaper 
Country Garden Showcase ~ My Simple Country Living
Wow Us Wednesday ~ Savvy Southern Style
Transformation Thursday ~The Shabby Creek Cottage
Home and Garden Thursday ~  A Delightsome Life 
Open House Party ~ No Minimalist Here
Feathered Nest Friday ~The French Country Cottage  
Farmhouse Friday ~ LaurieAnna's Vintage Home 
Show & Tell Friday ~ My Romantic Home 

Friday, June 8, 2012

A Little Rain and the Gardens Transform

After what seemed like an eternity (actually ~ a good week and a few days) of no rain, the skies opened up and Mother Nature gave us a good watering for 2 1/2 days. And as I made my way through the gardens this afternoon I was amazed at the changes ...



Our Angel garden is a continuous canvas of changing colour. As we say good bye to some colourful blossoms that have entertained us from the beginning of spring, we  wait in anticipation of what magical colours will be displayed for us.

The blue Iris started off almost 3 seasons ago as 2 or 3 little sprigs when first planted. Today it entertains us with numerous blooms and even if only for a short time, they truly are marvelous!!



In the Butterfly garden ... the green foliage is slowly awakening to reveal the beauty of their blossoms, some are certainly ahead, while others continue to tease as with their full buds, that will open to turn the garden into a choir of colour...


Our Memory garden is one of this seasons projects ... Mr. G and I enjoyed choosing each plant - ensuring like our other gardens that a hint of colour is always present among the various shades of green.


Last year the Vegetable garden was a little sparse. This year Mr. G. is lovingly tending to it's needs in hopes of a plentiful bounty during harvest. There is nothing like sitting down to a meal where the veggies came from  one's own garden! And to be bale to go outside and pluck fresh herbs is a beautiful thing.

The Peony and Rose gardens are bursting with buds! Which one will win the race?


This year it was the Peony! Our first one of the season.


The Hydrangea garden is looking promising with most of it's plants showing beautiful green foliage!! 

What changes are you seeing in your beautiful gardens?


Don't forget to enter my Gardeners Box give away Click Here to Enter ends June 9th.





Joining:


Bernideen for ~ Tea in the Garden
Country Garden Showcase ~ My Simple Country Living 
 Tuesday Garden Party ~ An Oregon Cottage
DIY By Design ~ Swing into Spring Party
Semi- Wordless Wednesday ~ Flip flops and Pearls
Outdoor Wednesday ~ A Southern Daydreamer
Garden Life ~ No Ordinary Homstead
Cottage Garden Thursday ~  Fishtail Cottage
Home and Garden Thursday ~  A Delightsome Life

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Two Things that can take you back to Simpler Times....

...Writing a Letter and Taking Tea!

It seems the more connected we are to the world outside our front door, across oceans and miles, the more  disconnected we are becoming. We are rapidly changing from a society of enjoying life and all that it has to offer, to one that needs instant gratification no matter the cost.


Photo credit~ click here
Take a moment to think.... when was the last time you actually sat and put pen to paper and wrote? Hmm... how about the last time you actually communicated with someone in "full English or the language you speak " where you actually wrote complete words, sentences, paragraphs instead of  something like: C U L8er ( translation:  See you later)? 


Now, when you sit to enjoy a nice cup of tea do you plug the kettle in, pour the boiled water over the tea bag (of course you want that tea now ... so you are probably swishing the tea bag in the cup , so the water turns colour faster) ~ I see a couple of you smiling and nodding~ and of course any cup will do ... right?

These two simple acts provide us with much more than information and a warm beverage. If performed the "old fashion" way they offer us so much more. Sitting down  to write a letter, note or post card actually helps stimulate and activate our brain; it allows us to sit and catch our breath as we gather our thoughts about what we would like to write. A handwritten letter is more than just words on a page, it shows the recipient that you care enough about them to take a few moments in your day to think about them and actually write ~  not just send a quick email or text - that is generic and could have been sent to numerous people. A letter is personal. You are also sending a gift of a few moments of relaxation; as (especially in today's world) someone receives a handwritten letter ... they are so surprised, that they will take a few moments to sit down and relax while reading your letter. Perhaps they will even make themselves a cup of tea.

Unlike texts, IM or emails which often get deleted, thoughts, words handwritten on paper are something you can save and read again and again in years to come. Have you come across a letter that was written to you years ago, and as you re-read it , the memories attached to it came back in vivid detail? I have and I can tell you, it's a wonderful feeling!
In it's early days, tea was thought to have magic powers and cure all. Well, I can tell you there is some magic healing in them leaves. For the past year I have made taking tea once a day a priority in my day. The 15-25 minutes that it takes to boil the water, spoon tea leaves into a teapot, wait for the tea to steep for the appropriate time before pouring the golden liquid into a teacup (with a saucer) sitting back and awakening my senses ~ smell, sight, taste and hearing  - yes hearing, there is therapeutic value in the sound of the kettle whistling that it's ready and the trickling of the water as it is poured from kettle to teapot and then to teacup. During this time I may just sit and let my mind wander into peacefulness, or I may write a few words to a dear friend or if I'm lucky I have a letter or note or card to read ... that was written by someone dear, just for me.

Where do you take tea? and Do you use a special teacup?

Here are some images I hope will inspire you to take a few moments in your day to truly enjoy a cup of tea!













Taking time to write friends and family and to enjoy a cup of tea are simple things that I am able to do, which bring calmness to my day if for only a a few moments. 

How do you bring a few moments of peace and relaxation into your busy day?

Don't forget to enter my Gardeners Box give away Click Here to Enter ends June 9th.


Become a BlogLand Pen Friend and bring a smile to someone's day INFO HERE.






Joining these fabulous ladies for tea:


Martha's Terri's Tea Time Tuesday
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