Peonies and Roses

I question not if thrushes sing,
If roses load the air;
Beyond my heart I need not reach
When all is summer there. ~ John Vance Cheney- Victoria magazine 

Hello dear friends! We are having the loveliest weather right now. What do you love about summertime? One of the many things I love about Summer is the flowers.

The other day Hubby and I went out for breakfast at our favourite spot; The Prince Edward Island Preserve Company. 

This photo was taken last summer when the hydrangeas were out. 

We had a wonderful breakfast of blueberry pancakes, sauteed potatoes, bacon, and scrambled eggs with cheese and chives. Coffee too. Lots of calories but oh so yum!

Through the windows guests are entertained by the hummingbirds at the feeders and the River Clyde with the gardens beyond.

After our lovely breakfast, we strolled through the gardens. Gorgeous peonies, roses, and shrubbery greeted us.

If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden. ~ Frances Hodgson Burnett -"The Secret Garden"

Here are some of the beauties we enjoyed -

I especially loved this one. It was like a big rose and isn't that the most scrumptious colour?

Another all by itself planted among the hosta.

Lavender with the river behind.

Not sure what this bush is but it's so pretty! Roses are snugged up beside it.

All of these photos were taken with Hubby's phone. I am amazed at the clarity of the pictures.
I have a good camera and his phone often takes better photos than my camera.

They had a small garden of pansies planted in oversized teacups with a teapot in the middle. Isn't it cute? The garden was edged with Island sandstone. 

Back home...
It's the month of July and my world smells like roses! I have had the windows open for days because of the heat and in wafts the exquisite fragrance of roses. My rose bushes are just beyond the windows off to the side so I can smell them. It is so intoxicating! 

Of course they are pink roses!

"After all, the only real roses are pink ones. They are the flowers of love and faith."- Anne Shirley of Anne of Green Gables.

I have set out a simple little tea and I'm using some of my roses as well as some rose inspired teacups. Won't you join me?

I baked chocolate chip muffins while Hubby was at work. I have to tell you, it is so satisfying to be able to bake again. Only those of you who do bake will understand the sense of accomplishment it brings when you can take a recipe and bake something wonderful for your family. 

I love this Aynsley teacup with full blown blooms on it!

I also love this Old English Rose by Royal Albert. I always drink my tea black. How about you?

I actually have three teacups in this pattern which you have seen before so I won't share them today.

Well, that's it for this week. I'm so happy you have stopped by for a visit. I hope my post brought a smile. Please come again because I sure enjoy your company. 

Your smile is the front porch of your heart. Everyone benefits from smiling. Did you know that smiling actually releases endorphins that make you feel better? And it blesses the person you're smiling at too. ~ unknown 


I am joining the following parties as well~

 Tuesday Cuppa Tea
 Friends Sharing Tea
 Home Sweet Home


 Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi

Red and White for A Big Birthday

...God keep our land glorious and free!

Hello everyone and Happy Canada Day to all my Canadian friends! Tomorrow, July 1, is Canada's 151st birthday and so today I am sharing red and white, the colours of our flag.

I have some strawberry-banana trifle complete with Canadian flags. The miniature flags were a gift from a blogger friend. 

Strawberry Banana Trifle

1 container strawberries, sliced
4 bananas, sliced
1 large pkg Vanilla instant pudding
2-1/2 cups milk
1 can Eagle Brand Milk
1 angel food cake- cut up
1 large container Cool whip

Prepare pudding with milk and Eagle Brand Milk. When pudding starts to thicken, add 1/2 the container of Cool Whip.
Layer half the cake cubes, half the pudding, half the bananas, and half the berries. Repeat the layers and top with Cool Whip. Garnish with extra berries. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

If you prefer cake, there is a buttercream frosted cake also adorned with miniature Canadian flags.

I have chicken salad on whole wheat and egg salad on white tea sandwiches to enjoy. I make the chicken salad two ways. For sandwiches, I shred the chicken and for a chunkier salad which I would use in croissants, I cube the chicken.

My china is a mix of red and white, the colours of our flag -

A Felicity Red teacup made by Burleigh of England

Masons Vista of England

My tea set is called Valencia also made in England.

The table is set, would you like to join me?

Serenity is a solitary cup of tea; pleasure is sharing it with another. ~  Victoria magazine

Summer has finally arrived bringing with it warm weather. It has been a very cold June and would have gone down as the coldest on record on PEI if not for the past few warm days we have had.

A friend took this shot in North Rustico which is not far from Cavendish, PEI.

Hubby and I went for an early stroll through Peakes Quay this morning and it was just so beautiful down there with hardly anyone around. We enjoyed some Cow's ice cream at 10:30 in the morning. Yes, I know! That's rather early for ice cream but it was fun.

While we were enjoying our ice cream, a young fellow with his family stopped in front of us and the young lad climbed up on the Cow's back. He reminded me so much of our grandson that we asked if we could take his picture. 

That is something our grandson would have done. The young lad loved it!

These are my grandsons last summer at Cow's when their uncles treated them to ice cream. 
  

My intention was to go down early to Peakes Quay and try to get a PEI dirt cap for my son who is coming from Vancouver in July. He's been trying every summer when he comes to get one and they are always sold out. 

These caps are washed in our PEI red dirt which gives the cap its unique colour. I was so happy to finally get one and he's going to be very pleased!

Canada, for those of you who are not aware, belongs to the British Commonwealth so many of our holidays we share with Britain. Our province of Prince Edward Island is the smallest province in Canada and as many of you know, we are famous for Anne of Green Gables. Many say we are much like Ireland in landscape. PEI is also the birthplace of Canada and is called the Cradle of Confederation. 

I know that my American family and friends are also celebrating Independence Day this upcoming week so I want to wish you all a Happy 4th of July! 

Have a safe holiday everyone and God bless our country Canada and God bless America!

I am joining the following parties as well~

 Tuesday Cuppa Tea
 Friends Sharing Tea
 Home Sweet Home

 Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi