The Tea Room

Virginia ~ Arriving

I arrived in Virginia late Sunday evening.  I've never visited this state and am so looking forward to my stay!

Credit: Image from Art.com.

Sunday's Silence

"Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind."  ~Seneca

Credit:  "Well Traveled Luggage II" by Richard Vergine.  Image from Art.com

Virginia ~ Apple Blossoms

Apple blossoms bloom in late March in Virginia.  Below is a postcard of the apple blossoms time in Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.  I will have missed them.  What a stunning site.

Credit: Image from Art.com

Swans ~ with Water Lilies

I'll have the opportunity to see swans gliding on ponds very, very soon.  I am so looking forward it!

Credits: "Swans and Waterfall" by T. Chiu.  Image from Art.com.

Swans ~ Elegance and Grace

Swans are beautiful creatures.  There is elegance and grace in their appearance and movement.  And there is tremendous calm at the sight of them gliding on the surface of a pond.  There are probably few summer gardens more inviting than one that has in it swans surrounded by water, trees and flowers in full blossom, and a comfortable porch upon which to sit and admire the view.  Simply stunning.

Credits: "Swans Near Gazebo" by T. Chiu.  Image from Art.com.

Summer Afternoon Teas

Hot weather leads one to wonder how tea was enjoyed during the summer months.  Below are paintings depicting summer tea parties.  Let's hope all figures were drinking their era's equivalent of iced tea!  What beautiful paintings.

Credits:  Paintings from top to bottom are "Summer Afternoon Tea" by Thomas Barrett, "Afternoon Tea II" by Consuelo Gamboa, and "Table for Tea" by Ghambaro.  All images from Art.com.   

Lovely, Lovely Parasols

It is very hot where I live in Northern California and temperatures will rise over the next few days. 

High temperatures as rendered in art put me in mind of one particular painting.  While this one could be taking place in the springtime with a breeze blowing through this woman's scarf, summer is the more likely season as parasols were used to ward off heat. 

Ah, the cool shade those lovely parasols provided!

Credit: "Woman with Parasol" by Claude Monet.  Image from Art.com

   

Philadelphia ~ Independence Hall

I don't recall a lot of details about my tour through Independence Hall when I visited Philadelphia in the mid-1980s.  As a native Californian, I recall being aware of the contrast in the age of the buildings.  Downtown San Francisco is so very much younger than historic Philadelphia!  I remember walking on highly polished floors inside the building and looking at painted portraits hung on the walls. 

To the right is a view of Independence Hall I do remember!  The red bricks, the white framed windows, and the archetecture that so certainly defines New England.  Oh the era that was begun here.  It is truly awe-inspiring. 

Credit: Image from Art.com

 

Last Day of June

How is it that this year is passing so very quickly?  I cannot believe that today is the last day of June and that we are officially half way through the year.

I met my personal goal of blogging every day this month, and I've really enjoyed it!  It was helpful to be inspired by my trip to see the Women Impressionists exhibit in San Francisco as it renewed my appreciation for art history, and especially painting.  I've loved learning more about Claude Monet, and I've loved revisiting his masterful works of art.

Although summer is my least favorite season of the four because of high temperatures, I do relish nature's beauty in every season.  Flowers that blossom and fruits that ripen in the summer's warmth are equally as lovely as any other.  I'll gladly enjoy its gifts, too.

 

Sunday's Silence

What a beautiful, sunny morning. It makes you happy to be alive, doesn't it?
We can't let the sun outshine us! We have to beam, too!

~Takayuki Ikkaku, Arisa Hosaka and Toshihiro Kawabata, Animal Crossing: Wild World, 2005

Credits:  "Lake in Summer" by Giovanna.  Image from Art.com

The Impressionists and Summertime

I studied art history in college and absolutely loved it.  I especially loved learning about the evolution of painting.  Even before studying art history formally, I had always loved the Impressionists.  The use of color in this genre is so soothing. 

My favorite Impressionist has always been Claude Monet and I was delighted to learn that he and I share the same birthday, November 14. 

Several years ago, I purchased and had framed two prints of Monet's Japanese Bridge at Giverny, one for my home and one for my office.  I love this painting for its combination of blues and greens, and for its timeless serenity.

This evening I'm heading to the Legion of Honor in San Francisco with a girlfriend.  We're going to see an exhibit called Women Impressionists.  Included among these female painters is Mary Cassatt.  I've included in this post an image from Art.com of a lovely painting by Ms. Cassatt entitled "Summertime," an appropriate selection for the first day of summer tomorrow.  

As we bid farewell to spring and welcome summer, wouldn't you love to just step right into this painting?!  

 

An English Tea at Make Mine Pink

Tea to the English is really a picnic indoors.  ~ Alice Walker

Make Mine Pink is a delightful cooperative of charming boutiques offering lovely collectibles and one-of-a-kind treasures.  This shopping community promotes support among store owners and shoppers alike.  Currently underway is a weekly activity called "Pink Friday" which includes a different focus each week.  This Friday the theme is "An English Tea."  Even if you don't find something to take home, window shopping is a lot of fun! 

 

Fresh Blueberries

The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council promotes the health benefits for this delightful fruit, including antioxidants and Vitamins C and E.  In the July / August issue of Victoria Magazine, there is a delicious recipe for Blueberry Cream Tarts.  I've included the photograph from the magazine; just click here to get the recipe.

Summer is definitely here!

 

San Francisco's Japanese Tea Gardens

I was born in San Francisco and have lived in the Bay Area all my life.  I am so fortunate to be surrounded by such beauty! 

As I was driving my son and his family to the airport Saturday night, we talked about going to Golden Gate Park later this summer.  I've been there dozens of times in my life, but it seems as though years pass between visits. 

Besides school sponsored field trips to Golden Gate Park, my grandparents used to take my sisters and me there when we were little girls, I used to take my sons there when they were younger, and now it will be sheer delight to take both my children and grandchildren to this lovely and historic setting.

In the car Saturday night, my daughter-in-law turned to my granddaughter, Haley, and said, "We'll have to go the the Japanese Tea Gardens and have tea!"  Haley was intrigued and excited as she loves pretending to pour and drink tea with her mother and me.  

My son and his family won't be back from Spain for a couple of weeks, so Haley, who is 3 years old, may soon forget about having tea at the Japanese Tea Gardens.  That's ok, that just means we get to experience her intrigue and excitement all over again.

Tea Map

I was poking around the Internet today and found a great site for locating tea rooms in the United States.  It's called Tea Map.  I entered my zip code, clicked on "go," and was taken to a list of several dozen tea rooms in Northern California.  The site also has links to other tea-related interests that are definitely worth exploring. 

I was listening to a local radio station on my way to work one morning last week.  The station is promoting summer "stay-cations."  Since gasoline prices continue to rise, many may decide to stay home rather than travel during vacation time.  The point is well taken!  I was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area and there are many tourist attractions I've never visited. 

Playing tourist in one's own back yard may be a perfect way to relax this summer; tea rooms would definitely be on my list of places to visit.  I was inspired by this lovely photograph from Tea Time magazine.  It might be tremendous fun to have a picnic that includes tea, as long as it's not too hot. . . !

 

Sunday's Silence

"In June, as many as a dozen species may burst their buds on a single day. 
No man can heed all of these anniversaries; no man can ignore all of them." 

~ Aldo Leopold 

Lovely Victoria, Another Journey with Bliss

The March / April edition of Victoria arrived yesterday and I can't wait to pour over its pages.  It was my favorite magazine for nearly a decade and I kept all volumes I ever received.  I was so disappointed when publication stopped a few years ago.  When I moved in 2006, I hesitantly tossed my entire collection knowing I might regret it some day.   

I was delighted to receive last year a postcard from the publishers announcing its return and inviting me to subscribe again.  Happily, thank you! 

Lovely Victoria.  Another wonderful way to greet the new season.

Tiny Pink Petals

The delicate flowers on cherry blossom trees have nearly all fallen from their branches.  Last week, tiny pink petals were everywhere on the street where I live.  They were clustered for what seemed to be miles all along the sidewalks and gutters, and sprinkled across the walkway to my front door.  Spring's snow.  The petals are slowly disappearing from the ground now as tree branches sprout dark leaves that will lighten to hues of green as the season unfolds.

I am so attuned to the seasons.  I love watching how each begins, peaks, and ends.  And I love realizing once again that each has a special meaning.  Spring brings such hope.  It's a time for new beginnings.  How lovely.  How lucky. 

   

Countdown to Spring

It rained all weekend where I live.  It was fun to stay inside all day Sunday, but I am so looking forward to spring this year: wicker Easter baskets filled to the brim, white feather trees decorated with miniature eggs, bunnies, and ducks, and spring bouquets bursting with color. 

And, I can't wait for the tea party I'll host in May for my sister and her friends.  Let the countdown to spring begin! 

Winter Nights

And so it goes that winter nights are dark and cold.  Sipping a cup of hot tea, watching the dance of a roaring fire, and listening to music by Enya feed the soul and brighten the spirit. 

It was a wonderful Christmas season: there were many good days with family and friends.  May magical scenes in snow continue to delight us.