Teatime Treat

Isn't it lovely?
The Aynsley teapot was a gift.
I found the sugar and creamer in a thrift shop.
They are marked Aynsley Pembroke reproduction of an 18th century design.

I paired the tea set with my favorite Aynsley teacup.
I love the aqua shade and the beautiful interior design.

Aynsley sure knows how to make teatime a treat!

Speaking of a teatime treat.
Here's an oil painting by John Charlton done around 1883.
It's title is Teatime Treat.
Looks like my house when three kitties realize there is food around! 

Wishing YOU well, much joy and a wonderful cup of tea!

I'm joining the following tea parties.

Thank you to the hosts of:

Tea Time Tuesday

Teacup Tuesday

Friends Sharing Tea

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Share Your Cup Thursday

Important Mission

I had never been to the Japanese Garden when the crepe myrtles were blooming.

(Probably because it's always too blooming hot.)

This year I was determined to visit and I made it.

Camera, water bottle and fan in hand.

It was worth the visit.

I almost always see a whistling duck or two and a yellow-crowned night heron.

Not this time.

This time it was the elegant great white heron.

All of a sudden -- there he was.

I walked around the water fall and tried not to disturb him.

He was there on an important mission.

Dinner!

Wishing YOU well and much joy.

I'm joining:

and

Eileen at Saturday Critters.

Tangents and Tactics: Starburst

The Index Card A Day Challenge may be over,

but Tammy is still busy keeping me busy!

She has started a new Art Journal Tangents and Tactics Series.

The series includes art journaling techniques, video tutorials and creative prompts.

 Need new ideas for your journal pages?

This is the place!

Tangent #1 is the Starburst.

Here's my Starburst.

I took my time with this one.

I doodled.

I had new stencils I hadn't tried yet, so I did!

I collect quotes, words that I like and you can see some of them here.

Some watercolor pencil, brush markers, micron pen.

Thank you Tammy!

You can see more Starbursts here.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Spotted Photo Theme: Animal Love

I'm joining Hanna for her Spotted Photo Theme.

Each month she will have a theme for photos taken in the past.
It's a way to show off your photos.

She chose Animal Love for the month of August. 

Here are a few blasts from the past.

I had to start with the three kitties that I live with.

Mina

Cassie

Teddy

This is Mtembei.

He really believed that yellow flower was going to be a tasty treat.

If only he could reach it!

Belle and Willow

Black Bear Cubs

This is 6 day old baby Duncan with his mom Shanti.

Cougars Shasta and Haley

There's something about a wart hog that makes me smile! 

Ring-tailed Lemur

Wild dog

That was fun.

Be sure to visit with Hanna.

The theme for September is your favorite color.

May you be filled with loving-kindness.

May you be well.

May you be peaceful and at ease.

May you be happy.

Cat and Mouse

The kitty and the mouse came out to play on my tea mug!

Isn't it cute?

I found it at the Victorian Trading Company.

Mug, saucer, lid and strainer.

It is stoneware and keeps tea nice and warm.

Fun to brew more than one cup, too.

Purrfect for lazy days in the heat and humidity and curling up with a book!

I've spent the last two months taking a blogging break -- sort of.

I made one post a week of the little pieces of art I was making on Index Cards.

That challenge is over and I'm going to slip slowly back into blogging.

It will be nice to catch up with everyone.

Here's a litte bit of tea art by Mary Cassatt.

It is called The Tea Cup and was painted around 1880.

I wonder who she is visiting.

That's way too many clothes for this heat and humidity!

A big thank you to our tea party hosts:

Tea Time Tuesday

Teacup Tuesday

Friends Sharing Tea

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Share Your Cup Thursday

May you be filled with loving-kindness.

May you be well.

May you be peaceful and at ease.

May you be happy.