Sunday, April 29, 2012

Blooming In Musashi's Garden




These are some of the blooms I see every morning in the garden... Musashi's Garden.

What a treat!




Red Lion Amaryllis


Red  Lion Amaryllis

Mosaic of Flowers Blooming in Musashi's Garden


Bill Warriner Rose, Gardenia, Gerbera, Zinnia



Miniature Rose in the Rain


Miniature Rose
Mosaic of Flowers blooming in Musashi's Garden


Bill Warriner Rose, Gerbera, Gardenia, Zinnia

Mosaic of Mystery Rose

This is my mystery rose.


Mosaic of Mystery Rose

I don't know the name of the rose, but I LOVE the apricot color.
My Mystery Rose!


Wishing YOU well and much joy!





Friday, April 27, 2012

My Smile List



Do you make lists?
I have the ever ready to-do list.
The list that reminds me to make the dentist appointment, order new glasses, buy sunscreen.
The sunscreen I had was expired -- note to self -- check those dates.
Then there is the grocery list.

This last week I decided to make a new list -- a list of things that make me smile.
Why not?!!

- I made lemon poppy seed scones. I use a mix I purchase at World Market.
Add water, mix, bake, easy.
 These are good, but not my favorite -- pumpkin spice takes that honor. 
But I still smile when I sit down with my tea and have a lemon poppy seed scone.

- I've been drinking Honey Lemon Ginseng Green Tea by Celestial Seasonings.
Yummy!
I love the Celestial Seasonings box.
Lovely decoration and some wonderful quotes on their tea boxes.
Like this one:
"Just as our eyes need light in order to see, our minds need ideas in order to create"
~Nicholas Malebranche




Mosaic

- I had breakfast tacos at the ballpark on Sunday because the game started so early.

- I bought the Summer 2012 issue of Romantic Country because of the beautiful aqua color on the front cover. 
There is something about aqua and turquoise that makes me smile. 
Perhaps these colors make me feel cool.
 It is getting hot and humid here!

- There was also an article about vintage postcards and I do like postcards!



Roses From The Garden


- Fresh roses from the garden really make me smile
Such a joy!

- I must not forget the kitties ... Cassie and Teddy ... little furry smile machines.

-I got a note today in the mail from my bank. They hoped I be back soon and bring my smile with me! 

So, did I learn anything by making a smile list?
 Yes.
 I learned that one smile leads to another and another.
A smile is contagious!
I suddenly noticed there are a lot of smiling people out there. 
You just have to smile and look! 


***

It is Friday and that means it is postcard day.
Here are two from my own collection.
I purchased them when I was in Galveston for BGD's (Beautiful God Daughter) wedding.



The Seawall, Galveston Island, Tx Postcard

From the back of the postcard:

Galveston Island's famous seawall originally built as protection against storms is now home to fun and recreation for thousands of visitors annually. The statue, a monument to the indomitable spirit of the people of Galveston Island, was erected in the year 2000, the 100th anniversary of the infamous "Great Galveston Hurricane of 1900"


One of things Islanders learned during Hurricane Ike -- even with a seawall, a 20 foot storm surge wins.


This vintage linen look card also takes a look along the Seawall on Galveston Island.

Seawall and Beach, Galveston, Tx Postcard



Wishing you WELL and much JOY!






Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Dawn Chorus



Isn't this a sweet teacup?
I found it at Ross.



Dawn Chorus Teacup


 The delicate birds, butterflies and flowers in vivid pink and blue on the cup and saucer.


Dawn Chorus Teacup


Then I turned the cup over and discovered this on the bottom:
Dawn Chorus
Portmeirion

Perfect name for this teacup from one of my favorite companies.



Dawn Chorus Teacup


Cassie really does like tea day.
She's such a big help,
 supervising every move I make!



Dawn Chorus Teacup and Cassie



Wishing YOU WELL and much JOY!




Saturday, April 21, 2012

Celebrating Earth Day

Monarch Butterfly


Today I'm celebrating Earth Day.
Last year there were no butterflies in my garden.
I blame the horrible drought.





Monarch Butterfly Mosaic


But this year, this fellow came to visit.
I had to take his portrait shooting through the patio doors.
Good thing they were sort of clean.


Monarch Mosaic


Isn't he handsome?
I'm so glad he liked the zinnia.


Mosaic of Monarch Butterfly

How are you going to celebrate Earth Day?
I'm going to walk to Reckling Park and watch a college baseball game.
I'm going to make my walk a treasure hunt.
I'll make it up as I go along!


Monarch Butterfly


Did you know that one person taking a shorter shower could save 20 gallons of clean drinking water?
Just think, if thousands of people did the same the gallons would really add up.
It's the little things.

Thank you to:

Wishing YOU well and much joy!





Wednesday, April 18, 2012

I'm Late, I'm Late

For a very important date with
Vee's Note Card Party.


I had to search for photos that had been published here on Twisty Lane 
that would make good note cards.

Here they are! 



Tea and Roses



Tea and Roses



Ladies Tea



Heart Teacups

There's just nothing like TEA!

Wishing YOU well and much joy!


Saturday, April 14, 2012

My World: Rice University Public Art



Rice University is celebrating it's centennial this year.
Several sculptures have been added to the campus.
Today I'm sharing one of my favorites.


The Owl is the mascot for Rice.


Alumni Baseball Game


Here I am with Sammy.



Bronze Barn Owl


The newest Sammy on campus is this magnificent Bronze Barn Owl
by sculptor Geoffrey Dashwood.

Ralph and Becky O'Connor, longtime Rice supporters, donated the sculpture to Rice.
The owl has been placed in a grove of oak trees just east of Rice Memorial Center,
where it's surrounded by a patch of impatiens, a bed of Asian jasmine
and a circle of low limestone benches.




Bronze Owl Mosaic


This peaceful space, a blend of art and nature,
has been dedicated as the Milus E. Hindman Garden.



Bronze Barn Owl

Rice is a beautiful university to visit, linger, sit under the magnificent oaks.
Education and beauty all in one place.
Be sure to bring your camera! 




Wishing you WELL and much JOY!


Monday, April 9, 2012

More Tea and Roses

I have paired another rose from my garden with a new teacup again this week.
I found this lovely Paragon teacup at The Guild Shop
(a cross between Antiques Roadshow and Grandma's attic). 


Tea and Roses


I love the red and yellow roses on this teacup on the inside and outside.
Unfortunately, none of my yellow roses were blooming.
The red rose had to save the day!

There is a gold edge around the saucer and the pedestal of the cup,
 gold around the rim of the cup and a little gold splash on the handle.
The saucer is lightly fluted as is the hourglass cup.
This teacup is a joy to hold in the hands ... with tea or without! 

***

I am preparing to lead a Food and Feasting tour at the museum for a university class.
I love doing these tours. 
 I've done so many of them that I try to come up with something a little different so that I am not bored.
This year I'm going to visit the India galleries.
The spices used in food and the three major tea growing areas --
Assam, Darjeeling and Nilgiri
and tie it all to objects in the collection.
Should keep me on my toes! 


Wishing you WELL and a wonderful cup of tea!

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Month At A Glance: March

I almost missed Month At A Glance for March.
Only a week late! 



Month At A Glance: March 2012


A big thank you to the lovely Mary for hosting Mosaic Monday each week.

***

I wanted to share a couple of blogs I've been following that I think you would like.

The first is Advanced Style.
Here Ari Seth Cohen chronicles the stylish and often eccentric get-ups of a crowd that's largely ignored by the fashion system ... older folks (like me). Be sure to check out the videos! 

The next is Mary at Home is Where the Boat Is.
Not only is this one of the loveliest blogs around, but Mary participates in
Such fun!  




Wishing YOU well and a JOY filled week!


Happy Easter!

Easter Bunny

Friday, April 6, 2012

April is Poetry Month

April is Poetry Month.

I thought I'd dip my toe in the poetry waters and try to share a poem or two this month.

First, another reproduction vintage postcard from 
The Easter Rabbit Postcard Book published by Darling and Company, Seattle.



Easter Postcard

Thank you to the lovely Beth for hosting Postcard Friendship Friday each week.

***

THE RABBIT

Brown bunny sits inside his burrow
'Till everything is still,
Then out he slips along the furrow
Or up the grassy hill.

He nibbles all about the bushes
Or sits to wash his face,
But at a sound he stamps, and rushes
At a surprising pace.

You see some little streaks and flashes,
A last sharp twink of white,
As down his hidy-hole he dashes
And disappears from sight.

~Edith King
From Fifty New Poems for Children


Rabbit

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Hippity Hoppity!


It's looking more and more like Spring and Easter.
The bunnies are here!



Easter Bunny



It's time to use my Emma Bridgewater spring time tea mugs.



Easter Tea


I've had the Tulip mug for sometime, but the Bunny Rabbit mug is new this year.


Easter Tea



I do think tea tastes better in these mugs! 



Easter Tea


Yes.
There she is.
Miss Cassie helping with Tuesday Tea!



Wishing you WELL, much JOY and a wonderful cup of tea!