Tuesday 4
Which One?
Per Annie: Welcome to Tuesday 4 which is going up late as auto post failed yet again. I suppose I will have to stop
using it once and for all. Anyway,, Here is Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4. Better late than never.
Which one do you prefer?
1. Picnic by the water or backyard BBQ?
Well, I'd love a picnic by the water if I could get anyone to do one with me! But mostly we cook our BBQ in the back yard (on the back porch), and then eat it inside because of the bugs and heat. But if I could talk everyone into eating outside, I'd be thrilled.
Seems like the only ones interested are the birds:
2. Spring or Autumn? Got reasons?
Living here in Florida it is difficult to choose which. I tend to be more of an autumn fan, even though here it may not seem as spectacular as it is up north, but there is still a decided change in the air, and it begins the time of enjoying the outdoors all the more because there's no more humidity and bugs until late spring. We can have bonfires and roast hot dogs and marshmallows and make s'mores. We can take wonderful walks/hikes in the woods and enjoy the crisp fall air. For us, Autumn, Winter, and Spring kind of all go together...a long season of beautiful weather, each with it's own special beauty. Right now in spring we are enjoying all of the flowers blooming again and the pretty green leaves popping out on the trees...the birds are singing and all of nature seems to be rejoicing in the fresh newness of life.
The azalea bushes I planted last year are blooming
The Easter Lilies are popping up that I planted last year also
And these are blossoms on the blueberry bushes I planted last year!
Hopefully we will get some blueberries this summer, if the birds don't get them first!
3. Cup of Tea or Cup of Coffee? 'splain it to us Lucy... if you don't mind!
Well, most of you who have known me very long already know the answer to this question. I am a "tea-totaller"...I only drink tea...no coffee for me, thank you! Just never acquired a taste for coffee. But tea? That's another story! Not sure when it started, but I attribute it to my paternal grandmother's love of a cup of hot tea, and we shared that together. I was thrilled when she gave me my first bone china teacup,
4. A weekend at home or one spent out and about?
This sweet little pink roses cup, "June Bouquet", by Duchess Bone China, England. Then after she passed away I inherited the beautiful blue teapot above. It is a Hall teapot, made in U.S.A. That began my love of collecting Hall Teapots (well, any teapots, actually!) and china teacups. After I did my genealogy research last year I discovered that my grandmother was mostly English, which we never knew before because she was adopted. (That's another long story most of you have already read, but just in case you haven't, here's a link to it: Elva's Story, A Story of Sacrifice and Love ) So I figure that's where our love of tea comes from.
4. A weekend at home or one spent out and about?
Well, since we've retired it seems as though we spend most of our weekends and days at home. We don't do much traveling...just run our usual errands and on Sunday we go to church and out to lunch with friends afterwards. If there are any family birthdays or other occasions that require a little trip to visit our extended family, we do that as long as it isn't any further than about 2 hours away. Of course, the past couple of years have curtailed most all travel...first the awful "C" word that I don't even want to repeat, and now the high gas prices, thanks to the political debacle in our government that I don't want to mention either...so even if we wanted to travel we really can't do it financially. However, even my hubby, who really doesn't like to travel much, has started talking about taking a little trip or vacation later this spring or summer! I am amazed and surprised...and am just taking it one day at a time to see if it really develops. Not holding my breath, but will be pleasantly surprised if it happens. Of course, he's talking about going to see some Civil War battlefields, etc., which is something he really enjoys. Hey...that's fine with me. At least it's doing something other than sitting here at home! So again...it may all be just talk and dreaming right now...and a lot depends on gas prices, whether they continue to rise or come back down. Time will tell.
But really, home isn't such a bad place to be, when you've got all of this to enjoy:
Sitting in the swing and watching the birds and feeling the gently breeze from Still Waters Pond
Even in the evening sun...
Watching the geese swimming about, calling out to each other and keeping us well entertained:
Enjoying the beauty of the Bluebirds building their nest and now actually sitting on that nest...
And the sunsets are magnificent...
Yeah, really, "There's no place like home"
Thank you, Annie, for continuing the Tuesday 4 meme each week. Now, let's go visit our other friends and see "Which One?" they prefer!
Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYou pond makes a lovely view. Love the birds!
🌷🌸🌷🌸🌷🌸🌷
Thank you, Sandi! I love the birds too. They do keep me entertained! I hope you are doing well. Have a blessed and beautiful day!
DeleteI must agree, Pamela, that there's no place like home. Yes, I missed traveling when we were under the Big C shut down, but I am not eager to do so until the mask mandates for planes are removed. Danny flew today to New Mexico to attend his son's graduation from Airman Leadership School, but as I'm still struggling with recovery from pneumonia, I chose not to go with him. Knowing how I've felt today, I'm sure I made the right decision.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog today!
Blessings!
Oh, I am so happy that Danny got to go to his son's graduation! What a blessing and honor for him to graduate from Airman Leadership School!! That is wonderful! Yes, I understand your reasons for staying home. I hope Danny is taking lots of pictures to share with you. I hope you can share them with us when he gets home. Take care of yourself and get completely well. Spring weather should help you to be able to get outdoors more and enjoy the sunshine!! Blessings to you as well, my friend.
DeleteI love being by the water , I also love backyard bbq . You are blessed to live by water ❤️You can enjoy both. Backyard bbq is so fun when the kids and grandkids come over. They get in our little pool so I guess we have water lol. It’s all good. I love Spring though Autumn is beautiful. Here we have cold winters and it makes me so happy to see everything coming alive with flowers and the bare trees getting some sweet spring green. I like coffee in the am. Guess I inherited my dad’s love for it . I like tea too but not in the am. Have a great werk
ReplyDeleteYou are so blessed to have the grandkids nearby to come and enjoy fun times in the little pool and backyard bbq and picnics. Those are happy times. We used to do a lot more that outside when we lived up north, but down here it is too hot and buggy in the summer to do it, and it seems like we don't think about it in the winter. Fall is a good time for a firepit and roasting hotdogs, etc. I can imagine that your spring is going to be so lovely. Enjoy it every moment you can!!
DeleteI won’t try to answer all the questions, but a few I have an idea about. Spring is my favorite season, because everything is coming to life. There is excitement in the air. I love a good cup of coffee in the morning, but also enjoy tea. I love those first of the season lunches on my deck.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ruth. I do agree with you regarding spring, which I am sure is quite lovely for you after a long, cold winter. Watching those little buds opening up and flowers popping up after being buried in snow all winter...yes, I remember that from when we lived up north. I did enjoy spring (once "mud season" was out of the way! LOL). I would love to enjoy a lunch on your deck with you!
DeleteI fall into the autumn camp also, though I do think spring is gorgeous. If it did not make me sneeze so much I might love it even more.
ReplyDeleteI also inherited my grandmothers teapot and use it nearly every day.
Oh how lovely that you inherited your grandmother's teapot. Have you shared pictures of it? I'd love to see it, so please let me know if you do. Yes, spring does create some sinus issues for me too. I've had a headache for several days that I think is sinus related. I take an allergy med. every day right now as the pollen is quite high. But I do love to go outside and sit and enjoy the beauty, especially before it gets too hot here to do so. Thank you for visiting with me. Now, go make a cup of tea!
DeleteLovely post. I don't remember ever seeing a bluebird in my life. I recommend Gettysburg if the gas won't break the bank. It is a very moving experience. Thanks for joining in. I know Toni wanted this to be a success.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Annie, for keeping this going in Toni's memory. I know she would be very pleased. We've already been to Gettysburg years ago when our kids were young, and yes, it was a very moving experience indeed. Hubby wants to go to some of the more southern sites in the Tennessee area I guess, and then maybe head up to KY to see "The Ark". I'd be happy with that if we can do it. We shall see what develops.
DeleteI am looking forward to visiting you and sitting by Stillwater Pond, grin...and I have given away most of my winter gear/sweaters etc. Somehow me thinks, Florida's "cold" is not like ours, LOLOLOL.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for you to visit with me beside Still Waters Pond too. It will be a delight to my soul! And yes, you are right that Florida's "cold" is not like yours, but you will still need sweaters and light jackets, so don't get rid of everything! Oh, and gloves too! But you won't need winter snow boots. I still have mine in case we go up north to visit Noah in winter, but that doesn't seem likely anymore since he is "on the move" across country and doesn't want to stay there in the winter anymore either. So I may have to get rid of them finally! LOL.
DeleteOur Blue Birds are nesting now. So are the Titmouse, Carolina Wrens, Northern Cardinals, etc. Their melodies fill the air like sweet candy to the soul. I love hearing them.
ReplyDeleteI'm an Autumn person too. Summer here are too brutal, especially August-September. I stay inside or up to my neck in water when it gets like that.
Wonderful photos. I hope y'all have a great day!
Blessings. xx
Yay! We will be watching bluebird babies around the same time I bet! The Chickadees tried to set up a nest in the other bluebird house, but I don't think they were successful. haven't seen them lately. But I know the other birds must be nest building around here too...I just can't see where. Yes, it is wonderful to hear them singing. Yes, our summers are brutal too. We are VERY thankful for central AC in the summer for sure. Do you have a pool or somewhere you go swimming? We haven't been swimming in a long time. Not even sure my bathing suit still fits. LOL. Have a lovely day. It looks like we might be in for some rain /thunderstorms later today and tomorrow. We need it, however. Take care my friend.
DeleteHome is good for me most days. I feel lucky to live in a beautiful place, so just walking down the street is fun to me. Now, my hubby likes to go. Gas prices are really going to put a stop in a lot of people though. Between gas and food there isn't going to be much left over for other things. I am a day trip kind of person. Then you are back in your bed that night:) Your little pond is very pretty and the swing would be a hit with me. I love watching nature.
ReplyDeleteYes, I enjoy being home. We run our errands in the early morning and then are in for the rest of the day. Of course, you have your sweet Palmer to keep you busy! What a sweet blessing he is, however. I know you enjoy him. Have a wonderful rest of your week.
DeleteFor sure and for certain, there is no place like home! Every once and awhile, we get a hankering to spend a weekend away (or a few days in the middle of the week - they are all the same these days!) but for the most part, we enjoy being at home. And isn't home even more lovely when all the spring flowers and bushes start to bloom! Loved your photos...makes me look forward to our azaleas! They have a ways to go but it will happen before you know it! Happy Wednesday, friend!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jennifer. You are so right, there is no place like home. But it is fun to visit other "homes" and places, and they usually make me more appreciative of what I've got. Right now I am listening to the rain on the roof as I drink my morning cup of tea. A wonderful way to start the day. I hope you have a blessed rest of your week!
DeleteHome is a wonderful place to be, I agree, Pamela. We do enjoy our day trips and longer road trips but always are ready to return home. Your outdoor setting is lovely and hopefully, you can enjoy it most of the year before the really hot temps set in. I also enjoy tea a lot, but a single cup of coffee starts the day for me.
ReplyDeleteThank you, "Beatrice". I do enjoy sitting out in the swing and watching/listening to the birds. It's very pleasant now, but when it gets too hot I won't be able to do much of that, especially once the mosquitoes start back up! They really spoil things for the summer. I am having my morning cup of tea right now, and listening to the raindrops on the roof. Very delightful! We need the rain, so I am thankful for it. Have a blessed and wonderful rest of your week. I hope your gum situation heals quickly!
DeleteI love your Still Waters Pond! I could sit outside for hours. I have a teacup like yours. I use to collect teacups and have used them for Women's teas. I like when our Lifegroup visits teahouses. I like coffee and tea. I have a fond memory of my grandma serving me coffee that had more canned milk and sugar than coffee!
ReplyDeleteOh, thank you, Susan. I would love to have you come and we'd have tea by the pond. That would be such fun! And I love that "fond memory" you have of your Grandma serving you coffee with more canned milk and sugar than coffee. What a "sweet" memory! Precious indeed!!!
DeleteEnjoyed reading your answers and your thoughts today Pam. Love all of the pictures. We are so blessed that we too have a pond to sit by. The grands enjoy getting to fish too. We BBQ too in the backyard. We have a grill under a shed and a 2 burner cooker along with tables and chairs inside the barn so it makes it nice to be able to cook and eat outside. Well, until the mosquitos and yellow flies start that is! I do enjoy hot and cold teas but I am indeed a coffee lover. I really like every season of the year but it seems this past season has been so CRAZY weather wise. I am very much wanting to feel SPRING right now but needless to say, it's already raining again at my house. There is NO PLACE like home for me. I do enjoy going on little trips but usually after about 3 days I am ready to be home. But, the change of scenery is needed at times just to make us appreciate home all the more! I would never be a world traveler. LOL! Hugs and blessings, Cindy
ReplyDeleteIt is raining here this morning and expected to all day and night. So I am awake and having my morning cup of tea and listening to the raindrops on the roof. Love that sound. Oh yes, those pesky mosquitoes and yellow flies do make life difficult when you want to be outside! Thankfully they haven't started up yet here, but it won't be long if we keep getting so much rain! I love all the fun things you do with your family. You are blessed to have a large family who live nearby and who enjoy doing things together. That is a real treasure and a gift from God! Have a blessed and wonderful day and weekend. Always good to hear from you!
DeletePam: We don't cook out anymore. The flying biting critters are too annoying. I like spring AND fall. In spring, it's like God is waking up the world and then taking His paintbrush and gives us such beautiful colors. In the fall, I love the vibrant colors of the leaves as they have their last hurrah before they go to sleep. I am a dyed in the wool tea drinker. I'll take my tea herbal. Caffeine and I don't get along. Due to reasons of our health, we have not bee able to travel like we used to. Before we got married, I asked Jim for one thing: Could we take vacations each year. Before he retired we were taking a summer trip and also a winter trip. We have fond memories of trips we took around my birthday. Peace and blessings to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteI love your description of spring and fall! Yes, God's paintbrush is busy during both seasons...and actually even in the summer and winter...just different colors! Is there a particular herbal tea you like best? I like a few of them, but mostly I just drink plain old Lipton black tea. I don't do other caffeine however. Can't drink Coke or other soft drinks, both because of the high caffeine and the sugar, and I don't like diet drinks either. I am sorry that you are not still able to take your annual vacations as before. But I do understand the health restrictions. It's no fun to be away from home if you don't feel really well. Most of our vacations over the years were to visit family. When you live far away from home, that is what you have to do. We've rarely taken any other kind of real vacation that wasn't centered around visiting family one way or the other. But that's okay too. I love being with people more than just sight seeing. Well, it's raining here this morning, and I am having my morning cup of tea, so I will bid you a good day and I hope you have a blessed rest of your week.
DeleteI agree, a picnic by the water sounds wonderful. At least in Autumn your humidity goes down. Enjoy your tea! I hope you get to take your little trip.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Debby. Yes, we do enjoy the low humidity of autumn and winter. Now we are into spring and it is raining this morning and supposed to all day and night. Humidity is coming back, but I still enjoy spring too! I'm having a cup of tea right now! Have a blessed day!
DeleteI never tire of hearing how your love of tea germinated! Maybe I've just not discovered the right blend of black and strong? I can't wait to hear more about your 'maybe' getaway! I'm sitting in a hotel room right now, but this is a medical thing for Tom's cardiac procedure at UAB tomorrow. Hardly the same thing, huh?
ReplyDeleteOh, I am sorry you are having to go through another medical procedure, well, Tom is, but it is hard on you too. Praying all goes well today. May the Lord give you peace and a calm assurance that He is with Tom and all will be well. As far as tea goes, I don't like it really strong, and I do put a spoon full of sugar in my hot tea, but not my iced tea. I prefer iced tea unsweet with lemon. I guess tea isn't for everyone. My mother preferred coffee and had to have it every morning too. My dad only drank tea in the winter, but I never saw him drink coffee. I take more after my dad than my mother in many things. Anyway, I hope you have a pleasant day and that Tom's procedure will be just fine. Praying now.
DeleteThere really is no place like home, for sure! But I do wish you and your hubby would come to Lakeland and stay overnight so I can show you around my beautiful city!! If you feel like getting out of town, my home is always open to you!!
ReplyDeleteYou are so very sweet. I would LOVE to come to Lakeland and have you as our tour guide and hostess with the mostest! Maybe someday I will be able to talk him into a little trip that direction, but I wouldn't hold my breath. When it comes right down to it, he just doesn't like to leave home, especially if he has to drive, and he doesn't like me to drive either. Says I make him nervous! LOL. He's never had to sit and watch HIM drive from the passenger seat! LOL. Yeah, probably not going to be taking any trips, but we can dream about them! Thank you for the offer, however. I would hop on it in a minute!!
DeleteWhenever we would visit family in Florida we always visited between December and March. I've also gone in May, June and in 2018 we went in August, but we rented an airbnb with a pool so everyone came over there. Love your hard...and the birds..and the flowers. How fun to back up to a pond it looks like.
ReplyDelete