Together For Afternoon Tea - Again

Sometimes in our lives there comes a time when we can stop and spend time with a special friend. In moments like that it almost seems as if time stands still and gives us a chance to share the things we love, our dreams and plans and sometimes – tea! Yesterday afternoon I drove to Portland to spend just such a time with a dear friend who came into my life through our blogs. Marilyn, of Delights Of The Heart, invited me to join her for tea in her lovely garden. It was planned way back when we first met for tea here. Our weather in this part of Oregon has been unseasonably wet and cold and I had suggested we do a ‘sun’ dance but, instead, we hoped (and prayed) for a nice day. And that is exactly what we got! The first official day of summer in the Willamette Valley was warm and sunny and just right! I had seen photos of Marilyn’s home on her blog and when I stepped into her beautiful nineteen fifties kitchen I felt right at home.

The apple box labels are all from her hometown in California. The one over her sink is from her grandfather’s orchard! I wish I had taken pictures of the rest of her kitchen but if you visit Marilyn’s blog you can see more and read all about it. Soon after I arrived Marilyn made two little pots of tea and we headed outside.

Our destination? The greenhouse of my dreams - the wonderful greenhouse her husband has been building – all from recycled vintage windows and other findings. The blue area is waiting for the ‘finding’ of more old windows. The wooden wall on the back side was old kitchen flooring taken when they redid the kitchen floor. The walkway to the greenhouse will be flagstone. Since Marilyn’s hubby is recuperating from shoulder surgery and is a bit laid up for awhile several projects had to be on hold.

Preparations had been carefully made in anticipation of my arrival. A little table and chairs were waiting and a sweet welcome waited beside the open doors.

A teacup with a yellow rose - my favorite - suspended by a beautiful ribbon, hung from a wrought iron garden hook.

A pretty white cloth covered the table and fresh flowers added to the beauty of the moment. Two places were carefully set with china – just for us. Skewers of fresh fruit waited for our enjoyment and Marilyn’s Lemon Verbena cookies completed the menu. (I has requested a light repast, in keeping with healthy changes I’ve made recently.)

As we visited and enjoyed tea together I just couldn’t keep from looking up! The view upward was as lovely as the view through the doorway into the garden. The tree overhead is over one hundred years old and is home to honeybees. Oh, how we wished Winnie the Pooh would wander by and get some honey for us!

Nearby, a rose-covered arbor holds treasures that captured my heart. A 'candelier' waits for the greenhouse to be finished – then it will be hung inside and light the way for more friendly gatherings in the glass house. (For some reason I didn’t take pictures of the darling planters and findings below the arbor!)

At the end of the clothesline I spied a housing development – one home was occupied. We quietly observed the sweet residences that had been carefully placed there.

As we approached the steps that led through French doors into Marilyn’s office I had to stop for one more photo. I decided to hurry home and dig out my old watering can that has waited for too many years to find a home in my garden. I was inspired and I didn’t want to lose the thought!

The afternoon seemed to go so quickly and soon we hugged, said goodbye and I headed for home. As I drove toward home my heart was filled with precious memories of time spent with a friend – a kindred spirit. A friend who shared herself, bits and pieces of her life and her home and, best of all, her heart over tea in the garden.