I thought I would share a few garden photos and lovely views as well.
Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land. Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky. Yes, the Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before him and make his footsteps a way.
Psalms 85:9-13 ESV
I do NOT garden, but I have always wanted Lavender. So I dug a hole, threw in some miracle grow plant boosting thing-a-ma-jiggers and am hoping for the best!
CA citrus
My state flower - the California poppy growing wild in God's garden.
Bird of Paradise
giant shamrocks growing wild by the handfuls. {God the Father, Jesus the Son, Holy Spirit - three in one}
No idea what these are, but they are SO pretty.
I am also very excited about my new (to me) bookshelf. I spotted it on Instagram and made sure to be the 1st one at the store to snag it! It's exactly what I have been wanting and was able to finally organize my TBR (To Be Read) pile. Yippee!!
This postcard I spotted at a fun little shop cracked me up and it had to come home with me. It reads: The box of oranges I promised you from California. hee hee.
Thank you for joining me, and enjoy all the beauty of the season!
While the weekend may be a time to relax, don't forget to be a blessing to others. Find little ways throughout your day... Compliment a cashier, send a note to a senior in your life, use social media to uplift instead of complain, pick some flowers and put them in a jar with a little note on a neighbor's porch, text a prayer to someone instead of just saying you will pray for them. Let your little light shine!
As for me, I bought these flowers at Trader Joe's today and wanted to share that with you! Enjoy your weekend... for God's glory!
Do to others as you would have them do to you. Luke 6:31
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11
I have been having loads of fun lately. But, FIRST, in honor of yesterday being Mother's Day, here is a little freebie (at least as of this posting it was) for all of you book lovers! Elizabeth Camden's eNovella, Summer of Dreams
Now, I have not yet read the book, but usually enjoy her work.
Last Thursday was the National Day of Prayer, as many of you probably know. I had fun making photo collages of all my daycare Littles praying, saying the pledge of allegiance and reading a new book.
Although it indicates it is for boys, the inside does not read that way at all. It teaches kids that they can pray any place, any time, and for any thing. I love the artwork too!
Friday night was my daughter's graduation as a 2nd year student at the South Hills Assembly of God Leadership school. She has grown so much in her walk with the Lord and built many amazing relationships. I'm so proud of her for taking the time to grow her spiritual walk with God. In the photo, are some fun ways to display food. I've seen these items recently at WalMart for not to much money. I thought some of you might like to see these as potential outdoor tea service items :)
Saturday morning, I decided to travel to downtown Riverside when I heard that one of my favorite jam vendors would be at a little outdoor vendor fair. They have some amazing old world architecture there! Here are a few things I saw.
I was blessed with the sound of these bells ringing!
Backside of the historic Mission Inn
Check out that spiral staircase on the right, coming out of the window.
I love this tree growing right up in the middle of this covered walkway.
Backside of Mission Inn as viewed from across the street
I splurged on some fancy English hand cream in a luxurious Lemon Basil fragrance. Do you know that my hands are still feeling soft today (Monday), and I put that cream on my hands Saturday?! I thought these furniture pieces were so charming for a baby's room. My lunch was a very delicious veggie enchilada casserole. I may need to make one soon! I love Susan Winget art, and I spotted this very large rooster art of hers on a shelf. The cute little shop in the corner is called Mrs. Tiggy-Winkles. If you are not familiar with that name, it is one of Beatrix Potter's stories. Just for fun, (another freebie) you may enjoy the full story video in the 25 minute youtube link below, which starts off as real life, and then switches to cartoon. Naturally, Lucy and Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle do take tea together (-smile). There is also a bit of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny featured.
Adorable stamped (in purple!) bag, and a fun postcard I purchased
I recently purchased some adorable items to create a fairy garden next to my front porch where I like to sit, and take tea. I had been wanting to do so for a very long time, and when I spotted the teapot house at a discount store, well...
In shopping Mrs. Tiggy-Winkles.,I found a few more items to add including the Little Prince and his fox, a gazing ball for Mr. & Mrs. Gnome, & a pinwheel for the fairy.
As if my day wasn't pleasant enough, I came home to find the items I had ordered only a few days prior, had arrived from Vermont! I can not wait to try these new teas. She even enclosed a "teany" sample of her signature tea named for her etsy shop: Sunshine Cottage (shop here: SUNSHINE COTTAGE). I love how the earrings arrive in Tiffany Blue boxes :) I of course, ordered lavender teapot earrings, and everything was wrapped in lavender tissue - Yay! And, I then decided to also order green, because they were just so pretty!
"You've got Tea-mail"
Sunday, of course, was Mother's Day. And my children certainly spoiled me this year. We started off with flowers, filled with my favorite fragrance of Stargazer Lillys and several gorgeous purples, and then off to church.
My pastor spoke on Mark 5:25-34, which tells about having faith and the Master's touch. This is a beautiful story about a woman who
has been sick for 12 years, but knows if she can just "touch the hem of Jesus garment as he passes by, she will be made well." Now that IS BIG FAITH. My pastor also noted that this is the only place he has found where Jesus calls someone daughter. v.34 "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease." Isn't that beautiful? Here is an old Sam Cooke song (2 minutes) about this very story!
After church, the kids drove me to Old Town Orange. Everything was a SURPRISE. We went to The Filling Station; a popular indoor/outdoor diner. I ventured outside my normal comfort zone, and ordered a veggie sandwich on soft ciabatta role, with sweet potato fries, and cran-apple juice (btw, that's not on the menu, but whenever I see apple and cranberry juices, I just ask for 50/50 & am one happy girl!)
Ducking behind menus for more whispered plans, while we waited for seating.
Next we headed to Mission Viejo, for an outdoor vintage market. My daughter did not even know I had been wanting to go there. I thought this old book was so cute, along with the stepside truck, and the trailer.
Below are the treasures I found which my son purchased
as gifts for me :)
vintage, lavender plate $10
modern, toile teawares $20/set!
After shopping, we went to see the new Captain America movie. I always enjoy super hero movies. But, we were so far from home, and the freeway held two accidents, so we did not get back until nearly 9pm. They planned to take me out to dinner too, but I respectfully declined in favor of fast food, and my PJs!! It was certainly a day I won't soon forget!
I pray you all enjoyed your mother's day as well.
Thank you for sharing in my adventures!
Hugs and a cup of tea friends.
Hello again lovelies! It has been a while so I decided to just MAKE SOME TIME to throw some photos on my blog and say hello.
"Hello." :) This 1st pic is just me playing with a new app called Cameran Collage. I saw the adorable art floating around FB (sorry no credit was listed), but I changed it up a bit with the tea tag and references (of course!). She has brown hair like me, so, yeah.... loved her!
Next a little fun I had participating in a Valentine Exchange group through FB. Here are my cards.
And here are the cards I received.
I also tried my hand at decorating store bought madelines with white chocolate and sprinkles and M&M candy to resemble an ice-cream sunday. I even sent some to a dear friend in Colorado.
Also on Valentines Day, I offered to host a tea for my daughter and her school mates. She requested a rustic garden tea (very "her"). I believe it was the first time any of the girls had ever been to tea (except, of course my daughter who has been going since she turned 2!) I served seven (yes, I am insane) sandwiches, chai flavored scones with my special crem fraiche & fruit, and a simple salad of spinach, strawberries & finely diced cauliflower plus Green & White Peach Tea from Celestial Seasonings. The girls really loved the tea and it is such a refreshing blend. Breezes blew, vintage music played, prayers were said, and fellowship was shared.
Have been enjoying a few walks around the neighborhood...
and always have my camera phone handy!
This was a walk followed by my everything-but-the-kitchen-sink smoothie!
I caught the stomach flu, so the walks took a pause... but then...
today was a new day, with a new and early morning walk. It was bliss as I played praise and worship music on my phone.
followed by, ahem, tea and toast (hee-hee).
This is an awesome short video of a visit to the UK where we can see teawares actually being made. I love how happy the workers are. What an interesting job!
