The Tui Cherry And A Tea Party Or Two

There is something truly divine..reverential about watching those first plump spring buds burst out of their hiding places & unfurl towards the sun, momentarily pausing.. offering thanks for their return to life.

 This glorious prunus campanulata superba radiates the glory of early spring.

 What a delightful contrast against a radiant blue sky. I'm not quite certain who felt inspired to line the Countdown car park down the road with them as they grow quite large, but gloriously so in an urban setting, even if for a brief week or two each year.

 Unfortunately they are unlikely to attract our native Tui birds who adore their nectar like this one out in Havelock North..just up from one of my gardens.

 A little further up the road.

 Plum blossoms are amongst the earliest to grace our land.

 A darling wee spring picture I found recently at The Mart for a dollar or two.

 I've had this old picture for sometime now. It lives out in the potting shed as it's is past it's best.

 I am amazed by the detail. I can't see an artist name. I'd love to know who originally painted it.

 Walking through town recently we passed a Playcentre information display. At first I noticed the easel & the chair & then I spotted this little darling poppet.

 I've always loved these sculptures right in the centre of town under the shadow of the clock tower.

 A gifted local artist Liz Earth made them.

 Do you ever feel that no matter how much you do you just never quite come to the end of things? We've been feeling like that quite a lot lately. So on Tuesday Rob decided that we were going to stop & have afternoon tea in our garden. I had managed to use up some well past it bananas & make a wholemeal banana loaf (recipe here)

 Earl Grey Superior for the occasion..loose leaf.

 I do love lily of the valley bushes..so pretty in pink. They don't like my garden very much but seem to thrive at Ethel's around the corner.

 I think that this is my favourite magnolia..but then again. We have been scheming as to what we could remove or push aside to make room for one.

 What a sunny little fellow.

 On Thursday I was invited to another tea party by my dear friend Ruth. A celebration of spring & friendship. A vintage afternoon tea dress was required & a brooch, but goodness me aren't shoes a hassle!.

 We did quite well I thought for two muddly old things, Ruth & Me : )

I made my prune & ginger loaf this time & Ruth made a turkish orange cake with ground almonds (no flour)

 Ruth is the one wearing the daffodil ; )

 The photo was taken in the middle of a plum orchard.

 What perfect timing all this tea party business, I must say, as I have been so enjoying reading my Emily Barnes book "If Teacups Could Talk" just recently.."sharing a cup of kindness with treasured friends".
I'd love to share a little of this book with you my sweet friends. I have just the chapter in mind:

"Fill me with beauty..creating & experiencing loveliness"

  I'd love to see you next week for tea with me.
Wishing you blue skies & some loveliness.
MUCH

 ♥♥♥♥♥