Pink Hydrangeas & Giveaway Winner!

Well all this rain (and watering and feeding)

 has given us some glorious hydrangea blossoms.

I love the Endless variety, as it is fairly hardy.

This was once a potted plant hostess gift 

my sister-in-law Angela gave me.


I used to have 3 hydrangeas but the last couple
nasty dry summers coupled with harsh icy winters
"done 'em in."

We are considering planting more.

 They're so pretty!

This plant used to be bluish purple but my high alkaline soil
 refuses to budge no matter how hard I try to make it more acidic.

I have tried coffee grounds, used tea leaves and mulch it with

spent pine needles. It wants to be pink, so it is staying PINK.

OH- and speaking of DEER and what they MUCH ON:


My peach tropical lily was completely eaten last night.
I got up today knowing how many lovely blossoms were
there to share a pic with you all and just look 
what I found!

ELEVEN big flower blossoms gone. Pouf, finito.

I may have to dig this up in early fall and give to
someone who has no deer problems.

I am still a little shocked they ate every. single. flower.

OK! The time you have all anxiously been waiting for.

Drum roll please........

Announcing the winner of this amazing measuring tea set
 is none other than

Another drum roll please..............

bj from SWEET NOTHINGS!

A big thanks to all who entered and for all your sweet comments.

I read every single one and appreciate them and consider them true blessings.

Thank you everyone!!

♥

~Michele

Linking:

Pink Saturday

July 4th Tablescape

Oh, the glorious Red, White and Blue!

Here is inspiration for this fun

& special holiday

in a super easy, non-fussing casual style.

Go ahead and plan to invite a couple of friends 
you know enjjoy more of an intimate & quiet holiday.

(As we do.  We avoid crowds like the plague.)

Heat up your grill for simple burgers and dogs -
 add some macaroni salad and corn on the cob to your menu and voila!

Instant party:

A wonderful, relaxing laid-back quiet kind of celebration at home.

OUR kind of holiday.

Or if you are lucky to have perfectly wonderful weather:

TAKE YOUR DINING OUTDOORS!

Whatever you do, wherever you go,

whatever you eat, wherever you dine

An invitation is always a welcome gift to friends.

The Flag

by M. Selby

Red for the blood shed in the name of Freedom, 
for which we fought, united;

Blue for the oceans of time we have crossed, 
remaining the land of the free

White for the peace we wish to share, 
all men created equal.

Stars to remember those who fought throughout the night,
bravely for our land.

Stripes to remind us of the lashings taken by the Prisoners of War
With a seal,  In God We Trust.

We each are one of many, in which we stand united in Brotherhood
A symbol of Pride.......a salute to those who died.

A blanket to cover us in times of need
Waving high to show we are still here, undefeated

With honor you are presented to the world

Have a happy & safe holiday!

♥

~Michele

Linking:

Tablescape Thursday *  Be Inspired *  Anything Blue

Pink Saturday Celebration  *  Seasonal Sundays

Birthday Tea Party!

This past weekend I had a few of my favorite tea sisters for an overnight fun tea weekend to celebrate our friend Dawn's birthday.

It was planned to be a garden tea

 but it was WAY too hot outside!

The theme's colours were pink and green,

 Dawn's fav two colours.

If you recall last October these same ladies

 had a lovely birthday tea party weekend for ME,

which I so happily blog posted.

My friend Mary (who organized it all)

 gave me the prettiest birthday tea cup shown here.

 (You can find that original party post here.)

We all decided that we would begin the tradition of

~The Travelling Birthday Tea Cup~

 and keep passing this celebratory cup back and forth to one another-

encouraging our getting together to celebrate our birthdays.

~~~~~*~~~~~

I stuck tuille-wrapped votive candles

 at each place setting as favors: 

Pink Lady Slippers and Garden Hideaway (spring green)

 They smell absolutely heavenly!

Here's the menu card stuck inside antique cream soup cups:

It shows everything but the last bit on the bottom,

 which were fruit tart phylo cups.

The Spinach was from the garden, as was the dill in the egg salad

and the lavender glaze for the orange cake.

I decorated the apple cinnamon cake bites

 with Violas and mint leaves

from my garden as well.

I also added cucumber sandwiches

caramel chocolate bites and currant scones,

 but for some reason I forgot them on the menu card.

I was so busy serving I completely forgot to take pics

 of the soup, salads, scones or sandwiches. 

Everything was on two 3 tiered trays.

(I soooo need a butler for tea parties, I swear!)

~~~~~~*~~~~~~

My teapot, sugar, creamer and teacups all matched

but I used a different luncheon and salad plate

because they looked nice together and because

I don't have enough of the luncheon plates in 

that china to go around.

M & Z Austria/Habsburg hand painted china pattern

 "Juliette"

was used for our tea.

I have shared it before with its unique 
hexagon shape.

This rose at Dawn's place setting is from my garden

and makes her spot at the table just a little more festive.

Pretty light pink vintage linens were used.

I placed little pink heart sugar cubes in each cup

as a fun little surprise for my guests.

As always, thank you for your visit!

♥

~Michele

Linking:

Make It Pretty  *  A Return to Loveliness  *  Tea Time Tuesday

Teacup Tuesday - Terri  *  Teacup Tuesday - Martha

Inspire Me Tuesday * Tuesdays Cuppa Tea  *  Tea in the Garden

Pretty Things  * Let's Dish  *  Share Your Cup * Sous Mon Arbre

Tablescape  Thursday  *  Feathered Nest  *  Romantic Home 

Pink Saturday

CARD PARTY - JUNE

It's that time again!

Time to head on over to A Haven For Vee's

CARD PARTY!

It's fun and simple to join in - just pick 4 of YOUR favorite pics 

you have used in a blog post before 
that would make a lovely "card" picture!

~~~~~*~~~~~

Here are my choices this time:

(Simple thinking of you card)

(To cheer you card)

(Invite a friend to tea card)

(Get well soon card)

As always, thanks for your visit!

♥

~Michele

Linking:

Centerpiece Wednesday

Market-Blog Shop - Finch Rest Emporium

It's that time again to feature the shop!

Today I have for you four lovely

 small vintage china floral arrangements.

They are truly precious.

I am actually very sad to list them............

but I sold one of my china cabinets recently

and feel that if I have no room to feature these beauties

then it is time I should let them go.

I know it's going to make someone very happy, indeed!

They make the perfect hostess gifts for anyone who loves flowers!

Hope you stop in the shop sometime -

 perhaps you will find a new-to-you treasure or two!

Click image above to shop!



Also, if you haven't yet checked out my
 latest giveaway chance time is running out:

Linking:

Common Ground Marketplace

Blog Shop

Those AMAZING Nests!

Miraculous, these nests!

How do birds even make such sturdy structures

 with no hands......or THUMBS?

Last year in this same spot was a smaller nest.

This year my hubs found that it had been

 "upgraded and reworked" into a much larger nest.

(He took some fabulous photos for me to share!)

~~~~~*~~~~~

While he was taking the pics

 someone was making all sorts of racket nearby!

Upon closer inspection we saw WHY!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO ALL THE IMPORTANT FATHER OR FATHER FIGURES IN YOUR LIFE LIKE OURS:

LEO, PATRICK, DON, HANK, RON, BILL AND BILLY-
May God rest theirs souls...........

And to our Michael, Johnny, Pat, Tom, Jeff, John, Paul, Larry, Charlie, Mike, Ben, Scott, John and Rob-  and soon-to-be-next-time Tony and Nick.....and many more much-loved fathers we love-
too numerous to mention.......we pray for you all today and always.

SWEET BABY BIRD

~by~

J. Eisnaugle

Sweet baby bird so innocent

So beautiful and wise

The future rests within your sights

Hope fills your tiny eyes

Your body warmed by fluffy down shields your heart from the rain

Rest softly on the leaves of brown

Your life has much to gain.

Sweet baby bird, your mouth of gold

Speaks highly of your worth

And yet, there’s much you’ve not been told

About our Mother Earth

You’ve oh, so much to fear, my friend

And yet, each day is new

Therefore, on faith, you shall depend

For faith shall see you through.

Sweet baby bird, go high and free

Soar where you’re meant to soar

Your life is one of destiny and fortune is at your door

My dear, one day so soon, you’ll grow 

And travel from our tree

But, when you reach each new plateau

I pray you’ll think of me.

                                        

~~~~~*~~~~~

"He makes springs pour water into the ravines; it flows between the mountains. They give water to all the beasts of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst. The birds of the air nest by the waters; they sing among the branches. He waters the mountains from his upper chambers; the earth is satisfied by the fruit of his work. He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate-bringing forth food from the earth." (Psalm 104:10-14

As always, thanks for your visit!

♥

~Michele

Linking:

Spiritual Sundays

Outdoor Wednesday

Wild Bird Wednesday

Garden Tea with Pink Peonies

Please join me for a lovely respite from your busy day

and take tea with me in the garden.

~~~~*~~~~

Slow down a bit

and enjoy a cup of Lady Grey

with a nice slice of orange pudding cake.

These two go so very well together.

The darker pink peonies and roses are in full bloom.

The perfume in the air is truly a sensory delight!

I love this old hand painted Nippon china trio
 teacup and dessert plate set.

There is nothing quite like taking tea in a garden
on a beautiful summer's day!

The beading on the gold fork matches the beading
on the edge of the plate.

Don't you just LOVE this delicate artwork?

Tip #1:

If you soak peonies (immerse the entire flower, the ants like to go into the INSIDE of peonies) in cold water it will rid you of any ants that may have attached themselves to your flowers.

For some odd reason we never get ants with ours, but always soak them just in case.

Reminder Tip #2:

Don't forget to put any of your cut flowers in your fridge before going to bed - they will last twice as long that way(think florist coolers.) Just take them out in the morning to enjoy all day long.

IF YOU HAVEN'T YET ENTERED MY LATEST GIVEAWAY

CLICK ON PIC BELOW TO READ UP ON HOW TO ENTER!

As always, thanks for your visit!

♥

~Michele

Linking:

A Return to Loveliness  *  Inspire me  *  You're Gonna Love It

Teacup Tuesday-Terri  * Teacup Tuesday-Martha * Tea in the Garden

Home and Garden  *  Tutorials Tips and Tidbits * Tablescape Thur

Pink Saturday