Tuesday, April 18, 2017

Teatime in the Zen Room


Oh, we are having such a warm sunny and beautiful day!

I got up early and finished most of my work
so that I could enjoy this pretty day at teatime
outdoors, in my covered garden patio.







Most of you know I refer to this space as my "Zen Room."

It's decorated in a girlie white-wicker-pastel-quilts cottage fashion.

It's a space for only me, as my husband has allergies
 and never ever stays but a millisecond.

It's my favorite place to invite a friend or three and sip on
tea, or lemonade or even sometimes wine after the heat of the sun
wanes, after it ducks behind the evergreen tree-lined backyard.









And all my beautiful Easter flowers here are hostess gifts
when my family came to luncheon on Easter sunday.

(I mentioned I would share a little about them in my last tablescapes post.)

See these sweet cut tulips? 
Youngest daughter grew them in her garden.

In the background are my dark pink bulb tulips from eldest daughter.
They matched the pink in my china we used Sunday perfect.
(My last post shows it if you missed it.)

Along with those you will see my beautiful Easter lily
that my older brother gave me.
They smell heavenly.

I was surprised my dark pink tulips actually have a fragrance-
not just the fresh tulip smell but a true lovely scent. ♥








I'm using a beautiful new gifted teacup
 that is just so perfect in a garden setting!

More about that soon!








I have to share something really neat with y'all.

Last night after dinner I was visiting a few blogs
trying to catch up on all I've missed lately -
and stopped for a visit to Aiken House and Gardens.

Carolyn is one of my all-time favorite bloggers
and she had mentioned she is being featured in the latest
hot-off-the-press VICTORIA magazine!

(Her post about it has the most beautiful teacup!)

So, I guess I squealed my inner delight and joy of this happy news
rather quite loudly; enough to startle my husband!

Next thing, I hear our garage door open and close.....
YES my friends, he left the house quietly and returned with the
latest copy of the latest Victoria magazine for me!

Isn't that the sweetest thing ever?!?

He knows the copies sell out much too fast at our local store
and didn't want me to miss out. ♥♥♥







Needless to say I am renewing my subscription!!!!
(sure thing if they're smart enough to feature Carolyn Aiken!)

It's a really nice spread about her lovely gardens
and all around great issue!

I highly recommend getting a copy of it yourself!






For my teatime snack I enjoyed a piece
 of the carrot cake I made for Easter.

I absolutely ADORE cream cheese buttercream frosting.







The secret to THE VERY BEST cream cheese frosting is using
 12 ounces (box or box and a half) of cream cheese
 and two sticks of butter.

I use one with salt and one unsalted.

It really makes a lot, not sickening sweet
 and makes a very smoothe and easily spreadable frosting.
No one will complain you put too much on anything, trust me.


As always, thank you for your visit!

~Michele



Linking:









20 comments:

  1. Oh your carrot cake sounds delicious! I saw Carolyn in that issue! Her home and gardens are just gorgeous! I love to "visit" her. I am glad you had a wonderful Easter. Thanks for stopping by. I enjoyed your cup of tea!

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  2. I can feel the tranquility of your room just by the name Michele and love it. Our June garden club speaker will be presenting on creating a zen garden and I'm looking so forward to his inspiration.
    I picked up Victoria today as I knew Carolyn's gardens would be featured and the photos were stunning along with noted credit to her husband for the structures he built. I'm disappointed that the inside of her home wasn't included - perhaps another time. It was a pleasure to see a fellow Canadian's gardens included in such a prestigious magazine.
    I'm looking forward to more about your new teacup.
    xx

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  3. Hi Michele, I would love to sit with you in your "zen room" for a glass of tea or lemonade. I It is such a lovely space, love the white wicker! Lovely flowers from your guests. Love the teacup and I adore the magazine. I have saved quiet a few of the old copies, wish I had room to have saved all my copies. Hope you are enjoying a wonderful week............

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  4. Hi Michele,
    I love your zen room and would love to enjoy tea there with you!
    It was very sweet of your husband to slip out and pick up Victoria for you....still not out here.Thank you for your kind words.
    Take care,
    Carolyn

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  5. I noticed the Victoria magazine first thing and thought I would love to get one. Aiken house is one of my favorite blogs too so I know I'll look for one now! Love your new tea cup and the pretty tulips. Enjoy your evening! Hugs, Diane

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  6. Lovely !! Sorry for hubbys allegys! That's too bad!

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  7. Your patio is beautiful and looks so inviting. I adore wicker patio furniture. I would be out there every day when weather permits.

    I need to get to the store and get Victoria Magazine right away.

    Hugs,
    Mary

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  8. You could be featured yourself m'dear! I love it when blogging buddies are featured and have a stack of msgazines to prove it. Carolyn does have a beautiful corner of PEI. Tulips that have a wonderful aroma...now that would be fun! Do you "visit " The Keukenhof? I have to at this time of year and no need to go further than You Tube, though I would love to see it in person.

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  9. Aww what a sweetheart husband you have! I haven't visited the Aiken House and Gardens website in a while. Everything she does is amazing. Love your pretty teacup and Zen area! The carrot cake and delicious frosting sounds so good!

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  10. Your "Zen room" is very pretty, nothing says genteel like white wicker. I can see why you enjoy sitting out there and carrot cake with cream cheese frosting is my favorite.
    What a sweetheart your hubby is, going out of his way to make you happy. Blessings.

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  11. I love your Zen Room, Michele, and your pretty teacup. Wish I was sitting there with you enjoying a bite of that fabulous carrot cake. Oh my goodness, your hubby is a dear...something that my late Beloved would've done for me.

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  12. Your Zen room is so pretty, Michele! Such a lovely place to enjoy a cup of tea and your delicious cake. Your hubby is the best! How exciting to have your favorite blogger featured in the magazine. One of my favorite magazines. Hugs xo Karen

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  13. Michele, your zen room looks so peaceful and I love white wicker! Beautiful tulips just add to the atmosphere...definitely a perfect place to relax, enjoy a cup of tea and feast your eyes on some beauty in Victoria. Hugs!

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  14. I enjoyed this post so much! Wish I could join you in your beautiful zen room! Your new teacup is a beauty and all your spring flowers so lovely!
    Hugs,
    Nancy

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  15. I just love carrot cake! I'm glad you were able to enjoy the new issue. Her gardens are dreamy!

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  16. Michele, how I'd love to join you for tea and cake in your lovely Zen Room! I just posted about tea myself (a giveaway!) and am drinking a cup as we speak.

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  17. Oh I adore Carolyn Aiken and HOW sweet that you were brought the latest Victoria...a keeper for sure! :)

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  18. Hi Michele, what a sweet husband you have. I have never actually bought that magazine but you have peeked my curiosity. Your sitting area is beautiful, it looks so peaceful. It's perfect with all the tulips.

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  19. Love your beautiful tea cup and gorgeous tulips!

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  20. Oh, I will have to get a copy of Victoria!! Somehow I let my subscription lapse, and I don't want to miss this. And how did I not see your Zen room?? Love it! (probably too cold when I came) Your husband is a sweetie! xo

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Thank you, friend, for taking the time to comment! I read each and every one of them. Your thoughts are appreciated!