Back, yet not...

Lilacs and Irises ~ a birthday gift from a friend

I'm not really back yet, and I'm not really gone...let me explain. I've been struggling with whether I should be blogging at this time in my life. Living on a small farm keeps me pretty busy. On top of that, a few months ago I started watching two of my grandchildren (2 & 4 yrs. old) four days a week, and the combination of both these things has overwhelmed me a bit. At first I thought I could be "Super Grandma" and that lasted about a month...until I realized I really didn't have any super powers of my own. It took a while to figure this out, but when my house started looking like it did when my five boys where home, and the grape vines where weeks overdue for pruning, and I forgot to get the pony's hooves trimmed until she looked like she was wearing elf shoes, then it hit me! I started thinking maybe I should use my "spare" time to do these things instead of blogging!

But...I love to blog. I love visiting my blog friends. How could I not have tea with them each week? I would miss all the parties! So I tucked my laptop into its case, and these questions with it. I left them there to be pondered for a while. My teacups are as anxious for an answer as I am.
While I wait, I will pray...and hope to be back with you again, at least once in a while:)

I'm going to be away for a while.

Hope your spring time is filled with budding beauty.

God Bless,

Almost a Spring Day

The day began in a beautiful pink and blue hue.

      It wasn't a typical February day...but I guess it's becoming more typical of our temperamental California weather.

A high of 74 was predicted.

On the deck, in the shade of an Ivy, it topped off at...

As I worked (spreading ground cover) in the yard it felt more like 74!

      I planted some roses in the cottage yard, in between the cherry trees I planted last year. I won't be able to see them from my house but the cottage tenant will enjoy them...and I can always visit...we've become friends over the years.

They don't look like much now but by summer they will have beautiful flowers that look like these...

I can hardly wait!

      I didn't mean to get side-tracked and forget to have tea...I just had it a little latter than usual, and I was ready to sit down and enjoy a break from gardening.

No time for anything fancy, just some Cranberry & Ginseng Herb Tea (I like the pretty color).

      Doesn't having a cup of tea (or coffee) give a nice relaxing change to the day? A time to reflect on what has already been done, and what is left to accomplish.

While nibbling on something...like warm Cranberry White Chocolate Scones on mixed-matched china.

This teapot is brewing flowers not tea...

Ready to pour out a cup of Spring blossoms.

      Back outside I see signs of life peeking out from the ground, happy to see the sun.  The daffodils are coming up!

"I love Spring anywhere, but if I could choose,
I would always greet it in a garden."
~ Ruth Stout

The Daphne in the front yard is blooming.

Its flowers have a very sweet fragrance. Each cluster looks like a miniature bouquet.

And the camellias are ready to burst open!

Spring is just around the corner and I feel it coming.

"Awake, north wind, and come, south wind!
Blow on my garden,
that its fragrance may spread abroad."
~ Song of Songs 4:16

The day ended as it began; in brilliant color!

That day was a few sunrises (and sets) ago but I wanted to share it with you today for tea time.

Blessings,

I'm linking to these tea parties:

Tea Cup Tuesday: http://www.marthasfavorites.com/ & http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/
A Delightsome Life: http://www.blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/
Table Top Tuesday: http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/
Tea Time Tuesday: http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com/
Tuesday Cuppa Tea: http://antiquesandteacups.blogspot.com/
Tea Party Tuesday: http://sweetology101.blogspot.com/