A Tour and a Tea In The Garden...

Tuesday, August 14, 2018

It's that time of year... finally... when I get to enjoy the beauty of my garden!  It's too hot during the day to work in it, and it might as well be enjoyed!  Even though the weeds are never-ending...that's okay.  It is a place of beauty and relaxation, and I thought you might enjoy it too...so let's go on a little tour of this happy place, and I'll show you a tea party that was enjoyed in the garden as well :)

My strawberries were plentiful this year.  This is the third year since I planted them, and my best crop yet!  Nothing like homegrown strawberries! 

This iron bed was my toddler bed as a child!  My parents saved it, and I have repurposed it into a flower bed at the end of our driveway.  I cut out the tin ovals with my Big Shot die cutter using pieces of tin left over from building our chicken coop, and painted on the numbers. 

It will be fun to decorate with each of the spring, summer and fall seasons!  I will have to put it up for winter, as it will not be safe with the snow that piles up where it sits during the winter.  

I planted flowers that deer would not like... onions that flower, lavender and marigold, hoping to at least have some blooms that would not get eaten by the deer.  So far.. no problems! 


I invited some friends over for an afternoon tea in early summer. 
I had so much fun setting up my little garden area for the tea party! 

The tea party was held before it had gotten terribly hot, and the wildflowers were blooming in profusion.  I used cut wildflowers and some flowers from my garden for centerpieces.  

The china is a set I found at a thrift store, and it goes perfectly with my garden theme!



The menu included iced green tea, tortilla roll-ups, a veggie tray, strawberry shortcake, and delicious cinnamon chip scones (made by my friend).  It was all so very yummy!

These cinnamon chip scones were amazing!  
We drank iced green tea in our teacups... 



My mom and I found this gorgeous teapot at a yard sale earlier this summer.  It matched perfectly with the colors of the dianthus flowers blooming in my garden. 


My friend gifted me with this gorgeous set of handcrafted soaps made by her parents! This soap has gorgeous scents with long-lasting quality!  The wooden container was also crafted by her parents out of redwood to hold the soaps.  Truly a delightfully packaged and quality made soaps.  If you would be interested in learning more about their soaps, here is their website: Riverbarsoaps.com  I have purchased a lot of handmade soaps, and I have to tell you, these are now at the top of my favorites!  :) 

I just had to share another picture of my cosmos... one of my favorite summer flowers to grow here, their blooms last throughout the length of the hot summer days, their bright cheery faces always a joy to behold!

A peek at my collection of succulents... I've found a new use for cracked or mismatched teapots in my garden... succulents grow beautifully in them!  Repurposing things in my garden is a special joy of mine! 

Bees are loving the bee balm I planted. 

These cheery African daisies were sent to me in a seed package by my dear friend Mrs. C. earlier this spring. I started them as seedlings, and they have cheered up my garden space all summer long!  

Roses abloom in my garden. 

My Yellow Brick Road roses. 


Love the cheery faces of these sunflowers!

Spending some time in my garden catching up on some letter writing, as the birds, bees and chickens happily worked around me.  

A wildflower bouquet graced my little wooden table. 

Succulents blooming happily away in an old fishing tackle box.  


More roses in bloom. 

Potato flowers...

Raspberries! They did wonderful this year! 


More succulents growing inside a pottery teacup. 


A sign placed inside a gathering of violets... 

These violets are still profusely blooming in the shade, delightful!

Another picture of the African daisies... love their yellow golden smiles!

Cosmos... the glory of my flower garden this summer with their profuse blooms! 

Lavender blooms greet you as you enter my garden.  
Well, I could go on and on... but I shall leave the rest of the pictures that I want to share for another post.  Harvest season is upon us, and daily I am busy reaping the gains from the garden.  I will share those pictures in another post. 

It is hard to believe we are already into the middle of August, and while I do love and anticipate the season of summer, fall will be a welcome respite.  We can feel the nip in the air in the mornings... it won't be long now!  It was 42 degrees here this morning and while it will climb to the 90s by the end of the day, the days are getting shorter, nights longer, and our first frost will be upon us within a few weeks.

Isn't it hard to believe how quickly the seasons pass!  We must make the most of each of our days, and while some seasons are easier to pass through than others, there is always something to be thankful for in each one.  :) 

Blessings and hugs to all who spent time here today with me in the garden!



58 comments

  1. Marilyn, What a wonderful, wonderful post. I just love your tea party and wish I lived close enough to invite myself over...lol...Your strawberries look lucious and your flowers are all beautiful. What a great idea to plant succulents in your old teapots and china pieces.

    Hope you have a wonderful night- Can't wait until we have cooler nights. xo Diana

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    1. I would love to have you over for tea Diana, that would be so fun! Fall is always welcome after a hot summer! Hugs :)

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  2. Marilyn, I am not ready to let go of summer. I know you are not either. Oh those strawberries and the beautiful flowers. The cute garden art pieces too. I love it all. But if I could have one of those scones, I know I would be in heaven. I think your tea party setting is perfect. The dishes are wonderful. LOL. Blessings to you and yours, xoxo, Susie

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    1. It was such a fun tea party Susie, and those scones were so delicious! I enjoy my garden so much in the summer :) Blessings to you too Susie!

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  3. Marilyn, oh what a delightful tea party! Your menu is perfect and those scones do look tempting! You china place setting findings - wow! The teapot matches them too. Love seeing all your succulents and flowers. Thank you for sharing your special day with us! xx

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    1. Thanks Gina, having tea in the garden was delightful! Hugs to you sweet friend!

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  4. I really enjoyed my stroll through your garden today Marilyn. Your flowers are absolutely lovely. And how wonderful to have your toddler bed as part of your decorations. Everything at the tea party looks absolutely delicious. How fun to be able to sit and chat over a nice cup of tea.
    We have so much smoke here today. What is it like at your house? I woke up in the trailer this morning coughing, my eyes streaming, my chest hurt and I had a headache. When I peaked outside I couldn’t even see the water of the lake. I decided I better come home and get out of the smoke. I am so hoping the fires are out soon. All this destruction is terrible. Thank you for the beautiful respite with your post today my friend. Blessings, Betsy

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    1. The smoke has been terrible here too Betsy! It was nice to get a bit of rain today finally! Did you get any rain? I hope the smoke goes away soon too! It was a delightful garden tea party, glad that you enjoyed your virtual visit with me :) Blessings and hugs!

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  5. Love the photos and the colours in your garden and on the table Marilyn.

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    1. Thanks Marie, always appreciate your faithful visits to my blog :)

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  6. What a delightful visit to your place here at Mountain Top Spice! I could stay on and on just taking in all the beauty found in your oh-so-wonderful garden. And, your table set for the tea-party is just the best! I know you will be enjoying those wonderfully cool, crisp mountain mornings!

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    1. Its hard for me to leave my little garden area too, it is such a place of beauty for me too :) Yes, definitely enjoying the cooler mornings, fall is just around the corner! Appreciate your visit :)

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  7. So many pretty things to see on your mountain top. Lovely. I'm enjoying cool mornings and melting in the hot afternoons. Blessings!

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    1. The cool mornings are wonderful! Are you having smoky days there? We are here. Hoping it passes quickly!! Appreciate your visit :)

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  8. Your flowers are so lovely. I especially like the bright pinky frilly Cosmos!
    A tea party is always a great idea and I love your tea set. That tea pot is gorgeous.
    Thanks for sharing your lovely place.

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  9. That was a wonderful experience.I only wish,I could have been there in person.The tea party looks delightful and your flowers and fruit are amazing. Thanks for sharing this time.

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  10. Hello!
    What an absolutely lovely post!
    I loved being in your beautiful garden with you...
    Your childhood bed is simply perfect for the flowers, and the tea party???
    Oh what fun your guests must have had.
    I loved all the flowers, but that sunflower made me smile.
    I hope you are enjoying these August says, my friend!

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  11. What a wonderful post, Marilyn. Your garden is full of delightful sights. How special to have a tea party with your friends. Everything is pretty, from the china to the food to the flowers. What a grand gathering that must have been.
    Like you, I'm not ready to let go of summer yet, but my garden is looking a wee bit tired and ready to change. There's still half of August left, and September can be a gloriously warm and sunny month, too, with moderate temperatures.

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  12. oh pretty pretty china, flowers ... and that TACKLE BOX! bliss ...

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  13. So much inspiration! I am writing down all the names of your lovely flowers as I am redoing one of my gardens this Fall. My bee balm did not bloom this year. Wondering if I should plant more. Did you plant seeds for them?

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  14. Beautiful, beautiful flowers, lovely Marilyn! Oh to be a guest at your tea party and sip tea from those pretty teacups and enjoy beautiful food sitting on those pretty plates. What fun that would be. You up there slipping into Fall whilst me down here skipping into Spring. I for one cannot wait for the beautiful season that is Spring.

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  15. Lovely, Marilyn! It would be so nice to be able to sit outside and enjoy tea in a garden. Your treats look delicious!!! What is in your Tortilla Wraps?

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  16. Oh my goodness Lady! I am soooooo in love with your little Happy Place. It makes me happy just seeing these wonderful pictures. Oh the ideas you have given me. IF ONLY it would cool up some so I could enjoy having a tea party outside. I would have loved to have had tea with you dear lady. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  17. Nothing could be nicer than a Summer tea in the garden, especially with such pretty china!

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  18. Sweet Marilyn, what a beautiful and relaxing post. I so enjoyed my time with your this morning and your pictures have me yearning to join you for tea. Everything was just lovely from the china to the food and decorations. The dinnerware you found at the thrift store is stunning and it looks perfect in your garden for your tea party. I will second what Cindy said about your pictures making me happy {{smiles}}

    Love and hugs to you!

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  19. Such a relaxing place to visit this morning before I begin my day with all that the Lord has for me.
    Your gardens in all shapes and forms are delightful.
    I can visualize you and your dear lady friends sipping on your freshening tea sharing sweet, sweet fellowship one with another.
    Your table setting is gorgeous and what a pretty set of dishes you found and claimed as your own to share with others.
    Our raspberry bushes were amazing this year as well, in fact, the best they have ever done. My grandsons enjoyed them immensely, and watching them pick as they wanted was a joy to my heart. No jam this year, just enjoyment seeing them eaten with delight.
    We too feel the coolness in the air, especially in the morning. Some of the leaves are turning, but we see that every year on certain trees. Our house pet rabbit is shedding like none other bringing in a fine heavy coat for the winter I guess.
    Always a joy stopping in for a visit with you, dear friend.

    Have a beautiful blessed rest of your summer days~

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  20. Frosts in a few weeks there? So hard to imagine that. I enjoyed views to your beautiful garden plants and flowers so much! I especially loved seeing how creatively you used things like your childhood bed and all the sweet containers for succulents, gave me some ideas too. Your friends were certainly treated to a beautiful tea table and the yummy treats offered on it. I can imagine how wonderful your plump strawberries must have tasted. Obviously you have put enough work in on your garden this summer for it to be time to relax and enjoy it, especially if frost might claim some of that beauty before long. And you are so right, there is something in every season to enjoy and be thankful for.

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  21. What a gorgeous tea, Marilyn! Wow! It's all so pink and perfect!
    I feel the approaching fall, too. The kids are back in school around here.
    Yesterday I floated in our daughter's pool and it was so relaxing. I'm a floaty old granny!

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  22. It all is so pretty! I love the china, and love pink flowers on dishes. Wish I could have a tea party in my garden. Maybe one day. :)

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  23. What a lovely garden tea! I love the pretty china. I'm ready for fall too. While it's nice to have rain here, the daily thunderstorms gets old pretty quick.

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  24. Lacy shared this lovely piece with us, Marilyn. What a stunning garden and a beautiful tea party! So glad you liked the soaps--thank you for the kind review--and I look forward to meeting you soon! Ginger

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  25. I did enjoy this post, reading through and seeing your lovely pictures.
    Your garden looks so lovely, so much to see and enjoy.
    As for your tea party. Wow! Everything looks so great.

    Enjoy these last weeks of summer because Autumn (Fall) is just around the corner.

    All the best Jan

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  26. Marilyn, I have to say, there is so much loveliness in this post. This is what summer is all about! I scrolled slowly and my smile grew wider and wider with each paragraph and photo. Although, I must admit to having lingered a bit longer on the shots of all your fabulous banners. They are my weakness and you my friend have a creative gift!! Enjoy every precious colorful minute in your beautiful space. xo

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  27. Loved this tour of your gorgeous garden, Marilyn! Yes, it's hard to believe that we are in mid-August - how time flies, especially the older we get. In Georgia, though, the heat will be us through September; October is when we begin to get cooler temps.
    Blessings!

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  28. I can't wait for it to cool down here, and be less humid, so that I can have tea in my garden again! Your flowers are lovely, and so are your tea things. I'm jealous that you are so close to autumn temperatures! Its my favorite season!

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  29. Such a fun, beautiful garden!

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  30. How lovely, Marilyn! Wow, you really had a great crop of strawberries - mine gave me NOTHING. I guess I will have to try a different method next year because they are clearly not happy where they are, sigh.

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  31. What a delight for eyes in this post, Marilyn...so full of color and beauty! Oh, your tea party table looked so lovely...that china and the gorgeous teapot...what great finds! I wish I could say that I feel fall I the air here...not just yet, unfortunately! You truly have such a lovely garden. Enjoy the rest of your week!

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  32. A real feast for the eyes such a joy to visit your blog. The afternoon tea was a real delight in such a stunning garden setting, beautiful!

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  33. I want to be there...that is so lovely...every inch of it...the flowers..the teapots and dishes so perfect...the menu..the flower "bed", the succulents (do you have to put anything in the bottom of the pots to help them drain? rocks under the dirt? I have some tea pots/etc. that I'd like to use that way, but was wondering about drainage... Thank you for sharing this all with us. I truly wish I was able to be there...

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  34. Such a lovely day for a party Marilyn. I know this was probably one of the highlights of your Summer.
    I'm so glad the daisys grew. They are pretty. I'm like you....love cosmos. They just add such cheer.
    You surely have a green thumb and your garden is a wonderful place to renew and refresh your heart.
    Thank you for sharing the lovely photos.
    Hugs from Shirley

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  35. Such a lovely day for a party Marilyn. I know this was probably one of the highlights of your Summer.
    I'm so glad the daisys grew. They are pretty. I'm like you....love cosmos. They just add such cheer.
    You surely have a green thumb and your garden is a wonderful place to renew and refresh your heart.
    Thank you for sharing the lovely photos.
    Hugs from Shirley

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  36. Those pictures were seriously eye candy. I love the flowers. Your party was lovely. The dishes took me back. I am quite certain they were a pattern my grandma had. I wonder which grandkid has them. Do you know the name of the pattern?
    Fresh homegrown strawberries...my favorite.

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  37. Marilyn, this post is like something out of Country Living magazine. So much to delight in as I scroll through the photos and read your prose. Your china is so lovely. I just can't believe you found it at a thrift store! Your flower "bed", the banners, all the flower arrangements, the succulents in tackle box, the table set for tea -- it's all inspiring. Your garden is charming and wonderful and you should enjoy every possible moment you can in that amazing retreat! Hugs, Nancy

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  38. Hi,
    What a fun tour. I want that succulents in the old fishing tackle box. :-) What a fun idea.
    I loved many things in this post, such creativity!!
    Love, Carla

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  39. What a bright vivid world you live in up there in Idaho! It's so fresh looking and GREEN! You must have had some rain recently? We haven't had any rain here in Madras for the last 10 weeks or so, although 2 days ago, we had our first "shower" in months, of about 10 minutes! We went out and danced in it.. so did many of the neighbors! I love all of your beautiful flowers, the beautiful table set with your beautiful china and teapots, and those beautiful desserts! Did I say it's beautiful???? :-) What a wonderful place to spend time,,, with friends.... under the trees and amidst the colors of nature. I hope your smoke has dwindled.. ours has some, but have a new fire on the mountain ridge just west of us.. and also one north of us now. It's been such a horrible dry year here.. and I'm noticing many houses up for sale.. wonder if people are moving away because of this drought and heat! Maybe.. maybe not. All I know is my hubby keeps talking about moving to the Oregon coast! I do so miss the green, the mist, the fog, the damp earth, the abundance of flowers and shrubs.. things we just don't have here. Keep enjoying that beautiful garden as long as you can! Hugs... Marilyn

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  40. I loved touring your garden and what better way to celebrate the garden than with a delightful tea party. Everything looked beautiful and peaceful. I'm happy to see that you don't have a bad smoke problem.
    Have a lovely week, sweet friend.
    Connie :)

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  41. What a wonderful tea party in your very own garden, Marilyn! I loved seeing your toddler bed, your pretty tea table, the food and the flowers. What lucky guests to enjoy that beautiful setting. I know I would!

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  42. Marilyn dear, thank you so much for the lovely tour of your garden. It is just such a quiet restful place to enjoy life. And your tea party! Oh my! Just lovely. Made me wish we lived close to one another. :-) It was good to see a post from you. xx

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  43. A beautiful place you have created ~ are the trees turning up your way? Have a good afternoon!!

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  44. Every time you post one of your Tea Parties I just want to be there. So pretty, the food looks delicious and the decor is so lovely. - You have some beautiful flowers and that little bed was just darling.

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  45. What a pretty, colorful post! I love rag ribbon, by the way, hee! I haven't seen you around for a while, so I thought I'd better drop by and see what's new. Enjoy the end of your summer!

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  46. What a lovely tea party, dear Marilyn. Your guests must have loved it. Between the beautiful blooms (I especially like the succulents in the tackle box), the pretty table with that gorgeous china, and the yummy treats, it looks like the prefect way to spend a summer afternoon.
    Amalia
    xo

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  47. Marilyn, what a lovely tea party table and food -- just exquisite! And I adore the crib-turned-garden bed border!!! :)

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  48. What a beautiful life you are leading!

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  49. How lovely to have tea in garden dear Marilyn!

    thoroughly loved each glimpse you shared here :)

    beautiful garden is best place in the house to relax and have chat with friends

    loved the remarkable crockery too

    flowers made my day ,such grace of Lord is showering upon you my dear friend!

    yes happy seasons pass quickly ,yet we grab joy from each moment is passing by aren't we :)

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  50. I had to return and read this post again. That and admire your amazing photography. Simply lovely.
    Connie :)

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Your comments are blessings to me, and I appreciate each and every one, they are precious to me! I appreciate you taking the time to comment on my blog... this is what makes blogging worthwhile! Have a blessed day!

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