Just a Pup

Texture "Golden" by Kim Klassen applied for Texture Tuesday. 

Meet Callie, a sweet little dog (just the size of a cat!) that I met while on a photo field trip last weekend. While photographing flowers in the Elizabeth Gamble Gardens, this little pup was accompanying her companion. She was very devoted to her person and stuck by his feet while he worked. I may be a cat person, but I can't resist a cute pup.

Welcome to the Mad Tea Party

Welcome to the annual Mad Tea Party. I'm so delighted to be taking part in this today.

Did you receive your invitation? I hope so! 

And did I mention that we'll be wearing our best white gloves today?

Well, just open the gate and come in!

We'll just pass through the garden on our way inside to our party.

I've been busy tending my flowers. They look so happy, don't you think?

We're almost to the door. Your special host is waiting just for you.

Meet Miss Gracie. She's so happy to make your acquaintance today. 

Step right in - you're the first guest to arrive!

Please, have a seat while I finish up. 

Perhaps you'd like a glass of lemon water to cool off?

I'm just finishing setting the table. Would you like to tell me a little about yourself while I work?

Today we're going to use the Royal Albert Country Roses china. It's always been my favorite - I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

I see our other guests have arrived today - let's greet them, shall we?

Mrs. Bear is wearing her finest hat. Oh how pretty you look, Mrs. Bear!

Not again! Nippy has fallen asleep already. You're going to miss out if you don't wake up now, Nip Nip.

Oh no! Where are you going, geese family? You are going in the wrong direction. Come back! The party is inside.

So nice to have you, little miss fairy.

And the Peeps are here too!

Missy Blue Ballerina wouldn't miss a party either!

Time to eat!

Whew! We're ready now. Please take a place at the table.

You may sit anywhere you like.

Won't you please help yourself?

Menu

Cranberry & Mandarin Orange Butter Lettuce Salad

Four Cheese Mac 'n Cheese

Roasted Parmesan Tomatoes

Roasted Asparagus

Heart Shaped Tea Sandwiches

Choice of Desserts

Yum! Please help yourself to seconds, if you will. 

Miss Gracie can't wait for dessert. Please, Miss Gracie, don't be in such a rush!

There are many desserts to choose from. Perhaps you'd like blueberry vanilla cheesecake? Fresh fruit with whipped cream? Maybe heart shaped lemon cookies with your tea?

Gracie's favorite dessert is a cupcake. Hmmm, frosting to be exact. She can't resist frosting, pie crust or whipped cream. Humph! I notice she didn't finish her vegetables. 

Miss Gracie! She must check out all of the desserts. Well, this chocolate raspberry cheesecake does look delicious. I wonder what she'll choose. You can have the raspberries, Miss Gracie, but chocolate doesn't agree with cats.

Cheesecake! She chose cheesecake!

Personally, I love these tiny lemon meringue tarts.

Perhaps you'd like a truffle?

Miss Gracie, haven't you had enough?! I told you she loved cupcakes.

Well, it looks like she certainly has had enough. She doesn't realize it's impolite to hide under a blanket while guests are still here. You'll have to excuse her. I think all of those desserts have made her sleepy.

Well, my tummy is full too and it's been so lovely having you for tea. I think it's time for all to nap and dream about the lovely time we've had today.

Thank you so much for coming today!

A Funny Story About the Mad Tea Party

This is the third year I've participated in the Mad Tea Party. The first year I was new to blog parties and I was not quite clear on the concept. Instead of having my post up on the day of the event, I held an actual tea party that day that I photographed all the while. I actually thought everyone else was doing the same. It wasn't until I saw the other posts after my tea party that I realized what had happened, so I was a bit late for the blog party. 

If you'd like to read my first May Tea Party post, you find it here. And just in case you missed last year, you'll find my second one here.

A big thank you to Vanessa at A Fanciful Twist for creating and putting on this fun event each year. Please visit her blog for the full list of all participants and enjoy your visit to each one.

Have a lovely day and do come back to visit!

Yea, Summer

It's almost the weekend, oh joy! What's up? In the blogosphere, it's the annual Mad Tea Party blog party. Hundreds of bloggers will exhibit their interpretations and it's great fun to hop from one to the next. Besides that, I'm excited to go on a photo field trip where there will be beautiful gardens. Then, the weekly excursion to the farmer's market for peaches, cherries, nectarines, melon - need I say more? Yea, summer!

A Few Favorite Photos

Another Tuesday, another day to use textures to create art from photos. Today's challenge for Texture Tuesday at Kim Klassen Cafe is to use a person in the photo. Well, if you know me at all, you know I can't resist a fairy and hence, this fairy child I happened to capture.

I pulled up this photo of mom that I took last December and added two textures. 80 years old and a bit sassy, don't you think? She's 81 now and just as fabulous. We had a great time together last weekend. I know she prefers sleeping in her own bed, but it's nice when she can stay for a few days. I enjoy cooking for her and she enjoys doing a little redecorating in my house. 

We're planning a trip to IKEA soon where she can stock up on herring and lingonberries and I'll stock up on Swedish pancakes. They have the best pancakes (aside from my mom's, of course!). Oh, and we'll stop by the cafe for a plate of Swedish meatballs. Actually, I could just eat the sauce it's so good. If you've been there, what's your favorite thing at IKEA? 

Randomness

Oooooh, I've been so busy lately. I have much to share but just haven't found the time. Today was spent with Dad (who's almost 87!) for Father's Day. And what a beautiful day it was - the temperature was in the 80's and it finally feels like summer. Yesterday, the day was spent with Mom and we had a fabulous time at the local farmer's market, buying up a storm of wonderful fresh fruits and veggies.

I have lots of floral photos I want to post - I've been buying such incredible bouquets of flowers lately that I can't stop photographing them. I have a new favorite flower too but I'll keep that one as a surprise. And oh my, I am almost ready to post my treasures from the last antiques/collectibles/flea market, too.

I have a photo field trip coming up this weekend which should be really fun. It's at an estate built in 1902 that was left to the city of Palo Alto. We'll be photographing the historic house, a carriage house and the formal gardens. Yes, I am really into flowers right now but this happens to me every Spring. And let's not forget the Mad Tea Party given by A Fanciful Twist starting on Saturday. Hundreds of bloggers will be posting their interpretations, and it's quite a show. I've yet to finish my postings but I'll be participating again for the third year. That's just a bit of what I have going on this week. There's so much more; I think it's going to be a busy summer. Happy week to you!

Chocolate, Anyone?

All out of chocolate torte. The Belgian chocolate gelato container is practically empty. Not even a cookie in the house. Too bad all my desserts are faux (note the plastic strawberry). There's always tomorrow!

A Little Randomness

Can you guess what this is?

It's an image from one of my two wire mannequins. This is the very foo foo mannequin form. She is wearing a tulle skirt with flowers and I just can't help myself from adding pretty pieces to her.

Well, I guess you can tell I add goofy pieces wherever I can. This little Eiffel Tower is all dressed up too with a big bow, ribbon and flower. It would be naked without it!

 This photo was taken last summer at my mom's house. It reminds me that summer is almost here and I want it to be summer soon. We are not getting the warm weather yet and I really want to break out my summer clothes. I switched out my flannel sheets two weeks ago and I'm still waking up chilly in the mornings. Oh please, let it be summer soon!

Photos enhanced with textures from Kim Klassen at Kim Klassen Cafe, where every Tuesday we celebrate textures.