photo(s) du jour -Diane's mini birthday album

A few days ago I posted some photo's that I'd found whilst looking for some to use for my friend Diane's mini birthday scrapbook album.
You might remember Elvis's pink cadillac?
Diane and I have traveled many thousands of miles together since we met at the 2nd QCI meeting held in Washington DC in 2000.
We've enjoyed several vacations together with our husbands, lovingly refered to as the tag- a- longs, this mini album features some of our "greatest moments".

the front cover

Diane loves to buy Quimper,
here she is at the QCI meeting in Philadelphia with her latest treasure.

The album unfolds to show photo's of D & me at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis,
and D, me & the SP in Texas.
The pull out tag on the right shows D & her DH whilst on vacation with us in Cancun.

The album is a twofer, this is the 2nd front cover.

When you open it you see the iconic Graceland photo of
D & Me & Sister Sue,
above a photo of the SP & Diane's other half
 in San Antonio, TX.

Unfold once more to reveal D & DH on vacation with us in Hilton Head.

Well, today is Diane's birthday and although when I spoke to her just a few minutes ago she hadn't yet seen the gift, she said it was o.k. for me to go ahead and show it to y'all first.

Happy Birthday Diane!

Blogging again and having fun with friends!

Such a lot has been happening since my last post almost 2 weeks ago that I'm only now able to catch my breath.
I'll be posting about where we went and what we got up to during our wonderful break back "home" in the UK very soon, but first I want to share with you the two visits which we have had since our return.
On Wednesday my very good blogging friend Jenny, & her husband Enno, (Two Tumbleweeds) from Holland came for tea.
It was the first time we had met face to face but you would never have known it, as we hit it off right from the start.

Jenny & Enno
just two tumbleweeds!

Jenny & Enno are both talented artists click here to go to Jenny's new painting blog.
The Senior Partner and I were thrilled when Jenny presented us with one of her artworks which she had painted during their time spent close to Monet's Garden at Giverny.

We spent a lovely afternoon together chatting over tea and scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam.

As they left Jenny told me that she felt we could be related, well, all I know is that we're family now!
On Thursday afternoon my dear friend Sarah (aka Hyacinths For The Soul) and her husband Mr HFTS came to stay for the weekend.

Sarah, Mr Ben & me

Sarah and I met over 10 years ago, through our love of Quimper pottery, at the Quimper Club meeting in Washington, DC and have met almost every year, since then, at the same annual event.

Monogrammed napkins from Roundtop,
gingerbread from Dijon & graines de moutarde de Bourgogne,
French nougat, quince,thyme & rosemary preserves,
 and
pretty notecards

Mr B & I were in the UK whilst the club was meeting this year in Brittany but Sarah soon brought me up to date on all the latest Q news and I felt as if I'd almost been there myself!
She also brought delightful gifts for us both, we did feel spoilt.

Hyacinth in Bayeux!

Sarah & I drove to Bayeux on Friday for a little flea marketing, a visit to the Bayeux Tapestry and the Cathedral, followed by crepes for lunch.
If that girl lived here we could get up to all sorts of mischief!

experiencing my local epicerie

The "husbands" were happy to sit in the sunshine and have lunch in the garden putting the world to rights, until Sarah & I arrived home with one or two "treasures" found at the Depot Vente.

Hidden in a pile of plates I discovered this special piece. Number 50 of 300.
It was produced in 1990 to celebrate the "Trois siècles de faïences", Keraluc, Quimper.

The price?
 Just 2€ -  the thriftiest find I've ever had!

Joining Bunny Hop Wednesday at Bunny Jeans Decor & More

 French Inspiration Thursday @ The French Cupboard
and

Vintage Thingies Thursday with the Colorado Lady

Click on the links to see who else is participating in these great meme's this week.

Tea and Tea Things Swap - the reveal!!

Can you see me doing my happy dance?

No, well believe me I am!

The lovely Beth @ Beyond The Garden Gate recently arranged a Tea and Tea Things Swap amongst her friends and followers and lucky me because I got Beth, the gracious hostess, as my swap partner.

Today, our post lady delivered a great big box all wrapped up in pretty paper and it was addressed to me.
Take a look at what was inside.

Quelle surprise when I unfastened the clasp on the small Parisien attache case and discovered new and exotic fruit teas (Tazo "Berryblossom White and Pomegranate, a green tea produced by Harry & David) and a teapot shaped tea bag holder festooned with roses.

This beautiful book "The Art of Tea and Friendship"  is sure to become a firm favourite and will inspire me endlessly when writing my tea time themed blog posts over the coming months.

Here is just a sample -

"May your home always be too small for all your friends", reads a plaque in my friends house. I once lived in a home that was so small that a guest remarked, "I can't believe real people live here!"
Even if your home is too small to host all of your friends at one time, you can throw open the doors and welcome them all with a "Come and Go" Tea Party, an idea I learned from my mother.
By staggering the times on your invitations, you can enjoy all your friends at one special party. Invite one third of your guests to tea from 1 - 3 p.m. one third from 2 - 4 p.m. and one third from 3 - 5 p.m.
Enlist the help of two or three friends to serve the food and tea and clear the tables so you can be sure to be available at the door for every "Hello" and "Goodbye".
Not only will you enjoy seeing so many friends together, each of them is sure to find some new friends at your house!"
SANDY LYNAM CLOUGH -
Marietta. GA.
Click here to go to the author's website.

Thank you so much Beth, for initiating this delightful Tea things swap and extending the hand of friendship to me and everyone else who took part.