the dreaming Press.

Wild blueberry jam, paper lanterns & a few days at the lake

I'm eating my oatmeal and it is a good thing too because I woke up ravenously hungry.  After this I'll pop some rye toast in and eat it with wild blueberry jam.  Hubby picked it up and brought it home last night...a funny gift for some people but for me the most considerate and thoughtful gift in the world. 

My tea is delicious, a piping hot orange pekoe with a splash of milk and brown sugar.  The perfect morning thus far.

I'm thinking about the other night, and the party we had in the little unkempt garden that went so well.  Straw hats, candles and blowing magic bubbles that were so gooey we didn't think they would fly at all! But they did, and they had grown women in fits of hilarity! There was a tarot card reader, we set her up inside with her table and cloth of a thousand moons and stars...there she gave simple readings to our friends of past, present and future.  Aren't those things always so much fun? I love to hear and see, what cards come up.

Paper lanterns were strewn about outside in the garden, a colourful backdrop to our clothing swap.  If you have never done one of these, do.  All your guests bring their gently used purses, shoes and clothing.  The other guests are free to help themselves to whatever they would like.  The rest gets donated to a women's shelter.  Isn't that amazing? There were some fantastic donations too.  What a great way to upcycle these items without just throwing them away.  It will help out some women in need too, so double yay!!

Lastly I'm eager to get away again.  The second week of August we'll be back at the lake, thank goodness too because I'm feeling s t r e t c h e d and tired. Our friends that let us use their place made me laugh, when we returned last time she tells me, 'You can use the place anytime! It was cleaner than when I left it....'  We love the beach, the campfires, the blanket of stars overhead at night...crickets singing...books to be read...simple meals to eat....ahhhh.  (It is almost as much work actually but so worth it. A nice retreat!)

That is all until early next week so go have some wicked fun and laugh yourself silly...OR go do this...you have about 14 hours left to film something...then submit it HERE.  xo

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. -- Marcel Proust

 

A garden is a grand teacher. It teaches patience and careful watchfulness; it teaches industry and thrift; above all it teaches entire trust. 

~Gertrude Jekyll

 

Gardens are healing places.  Of late two of my favourite bloggers have taught me to trust in a garden, as a means of prayer, healing & love. One is Christina, at Soul Aperture.  Click here to read her tear-jerking, truthful post. 

 

The other, Vanessa of A Fanciful Twist.  Both women are very good at sharing from the heart.  Both posted for totally different reasons, but the message was perfectly clear, a garden is worth it's weight in gold when it comes to applying a balm to heal our wounds, our insecurities, and our lives as a whole. 

 

So on a garden note, I'm currently in between caring for children, managing a business, and keeping a home...and I'm mapping out our sacred garden.  We are fortunate, and have a clean slate to work with.  By the end of summer I hope to show you that at least something has been done out there!  Keep your fingers crossed for us.

 

Last night I kept busy cutting out triangles from fat quarters to use making a floral fabric garland for an upcoming garden party I'm hosting at the spa.  (I'm nuts for fabrics!  Fat quarters get me everytime.  I don't resist them, it's futile.) With a bit of luck and ingenuity, it is my hope that I can transform the small garden space there into a place for a gypsy tarot card reader, and more.  I'm wondered about using tall & skinny bottles to hold single white roses, small tealights scattered about and fairy lights strung across the patio.  Paper lanterns! We must have them. Sigh.  Getting excited there for a minute.

 

So now I need you- what great outdoor garden party ideas have you done that you just loved? And are you willing to share them?

xo

*Note to self, must read Proust*