A Tea Party

Pictures from my visit; Part Two

When I was in Florida, the girls gave me a little Birthday and Mother's Day tea party.  My birthday was in February, and Mother's Day was still to be a week off,  but to me this was the best of holidays, because I was with them, and so blessed by their beautiful party, gifts and precious moments; having these moments together, was the most treasured present of all, and some of my favorite memories.

 Marie made this beautiful Lady Baltimore cake.  Click here for the recipe from Marie's Blog

 It was a wonderful rainy day, and you can see the rain on the windows in the background; what a beautiful table and atmosphere.

 The little boys were ready with tucked in shirts and hair combed back.

 We always seem to love having orange slices with all of our tea parties.

 These beautiful hydrangeas flourish in Elizabeth's yard.

 Some lovely gifts.

 Candles added the perfect light on a rainy afternoon.

 Beautiful to look at and to eat, with orange filling, a glazed  frosting and coconut flakes all over the outside.  Click here for some of Elizabeth's posts on coconut.

 "I'm ready for a little slice of that pretty cake now Mama".

 "Me too"

"Have another orange before we start on the cake".

Treasures....

more treasures...

 I love his little face scrunches.

... and more treasures still...

What beautiful smiles...

"Oh I wonder when we will cut into that cake".

At last....

Slices for everyone...

 Little boys like tea parties as well as anyone.

What a beautiful day this was.  I love to look and look at these pictures, and drink in the sweet feelings and memories of this day all over again.  Thank you my sweet girls for giving me such precious moments.  I hold those moments right here in my heart....

....and thanks everyone, letting me share these moments with you.

Part Three is still to come.

A Monet Garden

Pictures from my visit: Part One

I am home again, and catching up.  I brought a cold home with me, which wasn't really the thing I wanted to bring to Steve and Eddie, but well what can I say, people are coughing all over the world, and especially on airplanes, so it is very difficult to get through so many flights without out that little bug getting ahold of a person.   After a couple of days recovery, and a little un-packing and re-order of the house,  I am feeling my "normal" come back.

I had such a nice visit; I don't think I will be getting over it any time soon;  Those moments with your grown children are so cherished especially when they are hard to come by... and the grandchildren... well, I will try not to be too emotional on my blog but what can I say... sniff, sniff.  I decided to post my trip in three parts, so that I don't inundate you with too many pictures at once.

Part One:

The Monet Pond

  Marie and Elizabeth and their families have had a wonderful opportunity to buy a property with some land and 2 houses.  It is like a little bit of Eden.   On it, they have a "Monet" Pond.  

At least, that's what I call it, because of the beautiful Water Lilies.

 The day we took these pictures, it was overcast, and really such a beautiful day, because it was cool, and felt so nice...

but alas.. the Water Lily blooms were closed.  I wish I had gotten them when they were open, because they were so beautiful.

 But these were blooming, and aren't they beautiful?

It all reminds me of  Monet Garden, and a Monet Pond.

I love the plants and flowers in Florida and North Carolina.

 Too Cute for words

I had to randomly snap as many pictures as possible,

  So as not to miss a thing.

 I could eat them up.

The 3 musketeers are double cousins.  Here's the story if you haven't read it yet. 

 They are almost like brothers.  Many people often think the 2 on the right are brothers and even twins... but they are cousins.  The two on the outside are the brothers.

 And here is  member of Elizabeth's family... this is a famous cat, his antics are known by many.  I have never met a cat quite like him.  His name is Bay.

 And this a member of Marie's family.  Her name  is Mocha... she reminds me of a Meerkat..

Don't ya think?

Goats and More...

And then there are the goats... 

 precious!

 Inspecting the Photographers equipment...

 Another Photographer...

Notice  Bay in the background.. determined not to be left out of the publicity.

 Such a sweet smile.

 "Hi I'm Stafford.  I am Bay's brother...notice the family resemblance".

 Stafford is the Chicken Guard.  He chases all the Hawks away that desire a tasty chicken dinner.

He is very good at his job.

No chicken flock is complete with out a wonderful rooster.  Love how he watches over his girls.

Stay tuned for parts 2 and 3 this coming week.  Have a great weekend everyone.