fit for a queen

I could not think of a more fitting way to celebrate Judith's years of hosting Mosaic Monday 

than by posting about a tea party that was--almost--fit for a queen.

And changing my font color to lavender.

I helped to host a retirement tea for a colleague and friend who was, uh, yes, retiring.

By the time we put together our bits and pieces we

had a lovely event that I think she appreciated.

I concluded we need more such celebrations. 

Thank you Judith for your years of hosting MM. 

I hope you enjoy this "virtual" tea party

with these photos in your honor!

Linking a last time to Mosaic Monday.

five sounds of comfort

1. The sound of a lawn mower. Why? I've pondered that. Could it be knowing

there will be a tidy lawn when the noise stops?

2. The sound of tires on gravel. Why? Life is happening. Either

I or someone else is coming or going.
And, half the time it includes anticipation.

3. When waking in the house of a friend, or a bed and breakfast, 

the distant sound of clinking dishes (enhanced by the scent of coffee.)

Why? Someone else, not me, is preparing breakfast. 

4. The night sound of crickets.

Why? This takes me back to my childhood when we slept with our windows open

during summer nights. We would sleep with our head at the foot of the

bed--apparently it was cooler that way--and the sound of crickets

filled the night air. 

5. The hum, singing or chatter of a child deeply content at play.

Why? It's a good clue all is well.

When I mowed the lawn this morning I thought about sounds 

of comfort. There's more than five I can think of.

 How about you?

Joining Amy's Five on Friday.

more on bliss

I called ahead to request a quiet table for four

in a popular noisy Thai restaurant. Reluctantly they said

they'd save one when I mentioned "birthday," though

it's not their usual practice.

Three friends and I have a long-held tradition of celebrating our combined
birthdays by eating lunch out twice a year.
Sometimes it seems a long time between, so this time we

decided to start celebrating some "un-birthdays" so that we will meet more frequently.

As often happens, it can end up with two conversations
going on at the same time between the four of us.

I was thinking how nice it might be if we shared specifically about our lives,
 talking all four together. Kiddingly I said,
"Since I reserved a table for us, I'd like to bring up a topic for discussion."
The others were good with the idea.

Since my recent post on bliss, I've had the subject on my mind, so I suggested we
go around the table and share our bliss, or what, at this stage of life, brings joy.

And we added, "What would we would do if we had $25-50 dollars a week to spend

frivolously (though we knew that would never be.)

It was amazing to see what happened. As each of us shared,

of course there were rabbit trails, but they brought up interesting discussions.

And for sure we learned more about each other than we knew before!

Most interesting to me is that each one of us found

bliss in being able to stay puttering at home for a whole day!

 Our pleasant conversation lingers with me as if a sweet aftertaste,
and I think it will be with me for a long time to come.

5 Table Elements

1. Tablecloth found at garage sale reminds me of Africa.

2. Butter keeper found at a charity shop.

A well beneath holds water or ice for keeping butter cold.

3. Gifted salt and pepper on the table more for charm than use.

4. Very vintage salt cellars from my MIL are used to hold teabags after steeping.

5. The green of lettuce on my G.Will Churchill dishes enhances the table.

A bed for chicken salad to rest upon.

But more than any pretties on the table, it's about those that put aside the 

stresses of a day and sit around the table, sharing a meal and celebrating friendship. 

Joining Amy's Five on Friday.

My bliss

Apparently I once entered a contest naming three things I considered bliss. 

At least I found the scrap of paper and apparently did not win any prize for my thoughts. 

But I think I would name the same three again:

1. Abandoning the main route, meander along country roads, rolling down windows and breathing deeply fresh air. Appreciating God's creation and man's labor showing itself in lush green crops 

and bales of neatly stacked hay. Pass picturesque farmhouses and pristine hamlet churches, 

later returning to the main highway, wondrously refreshed.

2. Sharing a cup of tea with a friend.

3. Getting to stay home on a rainy day.

Would any of these be on your list?

Hold the Phone!

As I was thinking of a title I could hear my father saying, 

"Hold the phone!" 

I don't hear that expression used often anymore,
but it certainly was one of his.
It's means "slow down a minute."

Most of us probably hold our phones a lot more than we used to. 

My phone has become my camera, alarm clock and even flashlight.

But sometimes I like to put it far out of reach. 

I like texted photos.  Here's some from this week.

I took some flag photos on Monday, but it took some time for the breeze to catch it just right. 

It also caught this great view of our neighbors' house, so I texted it to them 

since they were out of town, saying hello on Memorial Day.

The grands and I went to a gym open play time. They were non-stop

for a full hour. I'm sure I was the only one over 40 there, but I did see some

of my young friends with their kids which was nice.
(Needless to say, I came home exhausted!)

Grandson jumped on a blow up surf board and pleaded,

"Take a picture for Daddy, Grandma"

So we did and I sent it off into the air.

There's lots of construction at our church right now and I couldn't help

texting Grandson a picture of this cable going into the ground. 

At nearly 5, he's interested in all such things.

Of course his dad would have to show him the picture. Let's hope he did!

My sister lives where these don't grow so I texted her a picture,

sending her a virtual bouquet.

She was up north for a wedding and texted me a

picture of the house we lived in during our teen and college years.

How we loved that rambling old house. It looks exactly the same.

And that's five texted photos for Five on Friday.

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About this week

 First there was a piano recital. Little One is growing up so quickly!

 Then an indoor picnic with burgers cooked on one of these green eggs.

Possibly the best burgers ever!

The final gathering of our mentor group…the end of a two-year journey together.

We celebrated with a wonderful dinner of hors d'oeuvres. 

And lingered enjoying an early summer evening on the porch.

Some of us nearly-lifetime friends enjoy celebrating birthdays--a good 

chance to get together, and we did so this week.

 This little dessert … do you see the center?

Ganache! Oh my.

 School is out this week and Little One and I

celebrated with our third annual end-of-year milkshake
at the counter of the"local." She's goofing around for the photo.

Bonus: Tea tray.

Joining Amy's Five on Friday.
Joining Mosiac Monday.

working breakfast: five on friday

 A friend and I had some plans to work on so we met at her house.

She was going to make us a simple breakfast with omelets.

When I saw her roses on the tray I thought this isn't a "simple" breakfast.

 It actually was "simple made beautiful" by the touches she thoughtfully added.

 A fresh flower adorned each of our plates.

 Her crocheted mug jackets kept the coffee warm.

We ate and talked on her porch while a gentle
rain fell on a cool morning,
interrupted only by a check on the neighborhood's newborn ducklings.

Five photos today so I can join Five on Friday.

up there and back

 A road trip up north has kept us occupied for the last 10+days. 

The Gardener had meetings, and we included some time with old friends,

and family in our travels. We loved seeing Spring for a second time
and enjoyed some cool weather.

 We were near the Gardener's home town so that always
means a visit to the cemetery. 

It rained all or some of each day we were away.

It wasn't bad except when downpours made driving difficult.

I love the abundance of old homes and churches that fill the landscape.

And authentic diners!

It seemed good to have a blogging break, but I know
 I'm in for good reading as I catch up.

broken

My computer charger was broken so that meant a trip to the apple store

at our local mall. I used to call it "our" mall, but don't any more.

Going there on a Saturday was less than smart, but I needed my computer.

The mall was packed with people dressed too well for a Saturday.

Stores buzzed with loud music and crowds cramming around counters.
I waded through droves of shoppers to reach the apple store
and didn't even feel like people watching, it was all so intense.

When we lived closer I'd go early mornings to walk
the mall, and it was easy to drop in to shop.

Then the CHANGE came. I think it doubled in size.

Now when I go I can't find a familiar store and
look in vain to find some semblance of what it used to be
while wondering where all the people came from.

I think I recognize an escalator and maybe the main door.

Our old mall seems broken.

I need to stop thinking about what used to be. 

That's a key to living gracefully with all the changes that come the longer we live.

Accept and go on.

"Broken" reminds me of a sweet story about our youngest grand.

Coming home from the last day at her mom's Bible study and her story time,

she was holding tightly to a little New Testament she had been given.

She loves little books and always goes for an 1800s small book I have on a low bookshelf.

She climbs into a chair with it and "reads"aloud.

But in the car her mama kept hearing from the back, 

"My Bible is broken, Mommy."

"It's broken."

Our DIL finally figured out what Littlest meant.

It had no pictures like her sister's and brother's story Bibles.
Indeed, broken.

Photos of a restroom "island" in St. Petersburg, FL.

I was struck by all the broken windows.