Kitties and the Rhodies

Summer is here and there's nothing my kitties like to do more than roam around the flower gardens. This rock is a popular hangout spot for looking out on the pride and scoping out voles. The pink rhodadendron in the background adds a pretty backdrop for my orange boy and multi-mix gal.

In a few months the orange tiger lilies and soft pink coneflowers will splash new color over this part of the garden. Stop back and visit!

If you like gardens, please check out my Spring garden posts:

• Color of Spring Everywhere!
• Mid May in the PA Garden

Patriotic Tea at The Freedom Log House in Spring Grove, PA

On Friday, my friend and I went to tea again. We enjoyed a delightful afternoon being pampered by our host in an Americana atmosphere at The Freedom Log House in Spring Grove just outside of York, Pennsylvania. Folk music very softly plucking away in the background, tiny twinkling lights illuminating the ceiling, and the patriotic reds, whites and blues dotted the decor.

A navy blue napkin awaits unfolding.

Our pamperer. She was just super!

Peaches and Cream scones "to die for" - so tempting served warm and made with fresh peaches and white chocolate. Ohhhhhh.....SOOOOOO good.

Let me show you those scrumptious things just a little bit closer. Can't you just smell their sweetness?

And, don't forget the clotted cream. I was about ready to lick the dish clean!

Next up, raspberry vinegarette dressing on fresh green salad.

The main spread - homemade chicken noodle soup that was out of this world, served with delicious chicken melts. Topped off with an iced blueberry-lemon cooler.

Let me show you those chicken melts just a wee bit closer. Makes you want to just take a bite, I'm sure.

Ohhhh, and then the strawberry shortcake.

Need I say more?

A walk around the gift shop brings lots of delightful sights. Primitives, antiques, candles, crafts...and many enticing colors all around.

Love those wide, wood plank floors. They add such a warm, cozy ambiance.

A holiday room brings snowmen, pine boughs and holly at the beginning of summer...

A colorful, old-fashioned coffee tin.

Weathered folkart crafts are all around.



If you enjoy tea rooms, please check out my post from last Friday: Camellia's Sin Tea Parlor in Carlisle, PA.

Dew on a Pennsylvania Wheat Field

I snapped both of these pictures of a Pennsylvania summer wheat field on an early morning walk last week near Carlisle. But, I can't decide which one I like the best. NOTE: You should be able to click on the pictures to see them enlarged.

The first photo highlights details in the wheat. The beads of clear dew sparkle on the fresh, green wheat reaching toward the morning sky. The farm is fuzzy in the background, but that dew is so clear and in focus. Inspiring.


The second photo captures the landscape a bit better. The farm is in clear focus in the background, freshly plowed earth softens the composition, but the details in the field of wheat aren't quite as engaging.


Which picture draws your attention the best?

If you like this post, you may like an earlier blog of mine that shows cows telling secrets titled "Mid-May In A PA Garden"!

My Sister - the Tap Pup!

My sister decided to revisit a childhood passion this past year - tap dancing! She enrolled at Vicki's Tap Pups, Adult Tap Classes and began the tippy-tap, tap, tap, tap of shuffling the shoes. Sunday afternoon I saw her tap dance for the first time since I was probably 8 and she was 13. And, boy was she every great!

The Tap Pups performed an annual show at The Forum in downtown Harrisburg, PA that benefitted the local women's shelter of the YWCA. The average age of a Tap Pup is 60 years old. The oldest tapper at today's show was 84. Of the 200 tappers on stage, 3 of them were men, and several were husband/wife teams. Many are working business professionals -- accountants, CEOs, registered nurses, teachers, and more--who simply enjoy tapping as a way to de-stress, exercise, stay fit, and keep those knees limber. And what great fun!. In Sunday's show, everyone was having a blast.

I'm so very proud of my sister for lacing up those shoes and coming full circle back to something she truly enjoys doing. She is always such an inspiration to me. In this video, she is front row, center. WOO-HOO look at that Tap-Pup go!

My sister the Tap Pup! from Cheryl Kugler on Vimeo.

Camellia's Sin Tea Parlor in Carlisle, PA

In Carlisle, Pennsylvania there's a sweet, innocent little tearoom called Camellia's Sin Tea Parlor and Gift Shop. Camellia sinensus is the botanical name for the tea plant; hence, Camellia's "SIN".

My friend Jacqui and I met there this afternoon for a luncheon tea. Relax, sit back with a warm cup of tea and come along to the tea room with us.

Tea was served of course - a delicious house blend, and a snowflake coconut.

Guests may choose to wear a fancy hat.

Delectable and delicate treats were served - from carrot-orange soup, to chicken salad to asparagus fingers. And, sweet little dessert treats for the grand finale.

Jacqui...

...me. And, just look at the tiers of scrumptious treats!

Look around. You're immersed in "everything" tea.

A soft curtain hangs across the doorway between the tearoom and gift shop.

Very girlie-girl gifts can be found in the gift shop.