Friendship!

Thank you Stevie Wren from a little birdie told me so for this lovely friendship award! I've made so many friends, including Stevie, of course, by way of visiting your wonderful inventive and personality filled blogs! I noticed that among those I visit frequently, Stevie has awarded Nana Trish, Betsy and Willow! Congratulations ladies!It appears that we are to pass this award along, and I will do so! I would like to present the Perfect Blend of Friendship Award to:

Lavinia who is among the very, very first to visit Muse Swings and leave an encouraging comment.

Bibi and Shelly and Janeen who are among the very, very newest of friends

Aunt Jo who's friendships and family are always present in her blog

Camille who is a friend and a friend and a friend


And a Blog in Bloom for Willow!

I would also like to present a Blog in Bloom Award to Willow of Life at Willow Manor. Willow's blog just blooms with wonderful feasts of art, poetry, books, life and, of course food - some of the most delicious and divine (with recipes available). It is always a delight to walk along the tree lined path, dappled with sunlight, open the gate, and knock on the door at Willow Manor!

And a quick tropical storm update: Fay is up to something. She is strengthening over land and moving on her NNE path more slowly than expected. Although we expect very little weather from Fay here in Palm Harbor, she is taking her time with the southern counties. I don't think we have heard the last from her. My personal prediction is that she will move out over the Atlantic, gather her skirts in and make another grand entrance to Florida sometime in the next week.

Weather update : The weatherman must have read my blog! I checked the weather two minutes after noting my prediction and they have Fay doing exactly what I just said! Keep an eye on her - she's got her eye on Florida.

Six Blogs In Bloom Awards

I spent several days mulling over the next presentation of the Blog in Bloom Award. I was still trying to narrow things down a bit today when I came up with one of my more brilliant ideas: Why should I? Narrow it down, that is? There are several blogs I visit frequently that just bloom with art, elegance, fun, conversation over a good cup of tea and wonderful things to do and see.

So, I am presenting this award to:

• Sandy of birds, bees, bugs and blossoms covers the four B's of nature with delightful , imaginative and witty posts.

• Kalianne's Bygone Beauty , brings us an elegant reminder of the beauty, traditions and values of bygone eras.

• Janeen of Chachaneen celebrates the closeness and traditions of family and friends and fabulous food.

• Trish of Nana's Living the Dream lets us share the dream, offering fresh hot mugs of tea along with a dose of encouragement, art and life.

• Esther at Tender Mercies offers a quiet, peaceful place to contemplate and grow in God's Love.

• Marie of Vintage Postcards shares wonderful vintage postcards with historic facts, fiction and fun

Click on the Blog in Bloom for more information about the award.

Thank you ladies for your bloomin' blogs!

I've Just Had The Loveliest Day Ever! Thank You Everyone!

A beautiful and delicious party favor from Janeen!













I've just had the loveliest day ever! What a wonderful day and what delicious treats everyone made. I've never in my life had more cups of tea than I did today! I suspect I will be awake all night, but I'll just spend my time making a journal of the day. (I filled my handkerchief with a few fancy sugar cubes and fairy cakes and scones in case I get a bit peckish around 3:00am.

The wonderful treats, pictures, music poetry and delightful imagination were provided by
Lavinia Ladyslipper of the Birdbath Chronicles
Steviewren from a little birdie told me so
Poetikat of Poetikats Invisible Keepsakes
Trish from Nana's Living the Dream
Janeen of Chachaneen
Kalianne from Bygone Beauty

It was such fun visiting with everyone today. I finally made my exit a short time ago. I've decided to just put my feet up and save the dishes for the morning.


As I write my journal entry later tonight I have only to look at my tea gown to remember the details of all the wonderful things I ate: There's a bit of lemon curd on my right sleeve. On the left is a smidgen of currant jelly, on the skirt I managed to drop a little chocolate, some pink icing from that little piggy fairy cake, a bit of clotted cream, a drop or two of tea, and some raspberry jam. There's a shrimp stuck just below the knee and a bit of a grass stain from Lavinia's garden at the hem. Oh, and the wee spot on my right shoulder? Remember that cute little bird that greeted us at Stevie Wrens? Well, I shouldn't have stood directly under it.



I usually don't make such a mess of myself, but there were well over 100 people in the tiny tea cottage, and well... it's so difficult to balance a tea cup and a plate of scones and cakes and candies and well, you understand, I'm sure.



I just want to thank everyone who participated and everyone who took time to visit with all of us today. We'll have to do this again!

If you missed visiting with anyone, I'm sure they won't mind you taking a peek. Just click on their names listed in this post, or their blogs listed in "my bonnie blog list" in the right margin.



Thank you again! It was just a delightful day!

Busy Busy Busy! Especial-Tea Tomorrow!!!

Busy Sunday and Monday!





Sunday included a dinner with friends to celebrate Jason's Birthday. Alex and Heather, little Emma, and Drew joined Jason, the Mister and I for lunch at Angelino's. Pasta Mmmmm!




We had veal piccata, scallops, pasta with sweet Italian sausage and mushrooms, linguine Alfredo, and chicken Parmesan. Everything at Angelino's is delicious! Most servings are so large there is enough for dinner plus 2 take home meals!
Emma is trying to escape!

My favorite - Penne Angelino.

Emma enjoyed herself and we enjoyed time with Emma and family

Today I spent time preparing the tea table and special things to enjoy at our Especial-Tea tomorrow!

I was polishing silver, washing dishes, shopping, preparing and pressing. While I was busy, Lucy took a swim

And Layla napped half in and half out of her bed.

Tomorrow, Tuesday August 5th is the Especial-Tea. Everyone is invited. Just click on the Especial-Tea invitation. Check the comments for other participating guests and then click on their names to visit all of their blogs. It is an all day affair of surprises across time zones, so check throughout the day and evening for treats, tea tables, recipes, poems - anything and everything having to do with tea! See you there and enjoy!

You Are Invited To An Especial-Tea Just For You!

I have an idea - it may have been done before - but I'm quite new to blog land.

I thought it would be nice if we all had tea together on Tuesday, August 5th. The plan is simple: decide what you would like to picture on your blog for the tea on August 5th. Use your imagination - It can be anything you would like to prepare, bring or do at your Especial-Tea.

You may want to take a picture of Especial-Tea things you have, a table setting, a desert, a jam or jelly, a place in your garden, birds that might visit us during tea, something you might wear, a hat, a pet you would like to bring with you, flowers, anything at all. Anything. Take a picture that expresses your Especial-Tea. Post it along with whatever you would like to say about your contribution on your post for the 5th. This is an all day event.

You may also extend this invitation to all of your readers! Everyone is invited. If a friend is not yet a blogger and would like to attend ask them to send you a picture to post on your blog for them.

If you would like to attend,

1 RSVP in comments on this post.

2 Copy the invitation and paste it in the margin of your blog.

3 Check the comments on this blog to see who will be participating

4 Visit with each other on the 5th and see what each of us has brought to the tea.

I would love to see all of you, and all of your friends, on August 5th. Please come! I think this will be lots of fun!