What is So Rare as a Day in June...

"And what is so rare as a day in June?
Then, if ever, come perfect days;
Then Heaven tries earth if it be in tune,
And over it softly her warm ear lays"
~James Russell Lowell

The sun is shining... the birds are singing... a soft breeze gently blows through my lace sheers at my open window... surely this morning has all of the makings of a most enchanted June day... won't you join me for tea?... I have set out my mama's beautiful vintage Blue Willow china for us... one of my most treasured family heirlooms... most appropriate for a day of celebrations such as this...

Since Her Majesty the Queen declined my invitation to tea today, something about "prior commitments" Princess Tessy will reign over our celebration ... Her Majesty DID say she never misses a single post of mine and will check back later to see how our tea went... tee hee hee!... I do think Tessy looks quite "fetching" in "her" new straw hat... she loves company... be prepared for lots of doggie kisses!...

I have plucked a perfect bloom from one of the most lovely of all roses, sweet Gertrude Jekyll to savor her Heavenly parfum as we sip our tea and chat...

Today, we are celebrating many joyful things... Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee Celebration... honoring my English heritage on my mama's side of the family...

With Lady Grey ready to pour...

and petite sweet pink sugar cookies... on a small table covered in vintage lace tablecloths and doilies...

and celebrating 35 years yesterday with Jack, my love... most days we are still that silly little boy and girl in the photos below... I love you Jack... forever and always... more with each passing day... you are my foundation... my love... my best friend... you laugh with me when I am happy... and cry with me when I am sad... I love that you possess that rare quality of being a strong man... but not afraid to show you have a tender side as well... and that you love Nature and all of God's precious little creatures as much as I do... and still smile when I get excited over a tiny little new bloom in my garden or a hidden bird nest we happen upon as we take our daily Nature walk...

Celebrating three years of blogging today... before that, I didn't even know what a blog was... below is the very first photo I posted that 5th day of June in 2009... my post that day was titled "A New Beginning"... I still love the little wren house in my crabapple tree surrounded with blossoms that I chose to use... my blog started out sharing my love of Nature and all of God's precious creatures along with my love of gardening, my family and my precious childhood memories... it has come full circle three years later... along with so many new and wonderful friends I have met along my garden path in this land of blogs...

And now, as Summer is here once more, I say "Merci" to all of you who have been with me these past three years... and to those just now getting to know me... I hope you will come by often... I love making new friends and sharing our experiences and day to day lives together... perhaps you will even go on my Nature walk with me one day soon... so many beautiful things to see down the lane and around the bend...

Early this morning, Jack drew the winning name in my celebration giveaway... and it is Deb from "Posted From Home"... congratulations Deb!... please email me your address and I will get your gifts sent right out to you... Deb has a most lovely blog with the most gorgeous photos and stories about her life in her beautiful surrounding countryside... I hope you will stop in for a visit with her!...thank you all so much for entering... and for your friendly visits and heartfelt comments... today I celebrate YOU as well... wishing you a most beautiful, blissful Summers day... xoxo...