Evening Garden

I love evening walks. Right before the sun sets is the best time. It's also the most beautiful time of day in my humble opinion. Tonight the day hadn't really cooled off yet so the air smelled sweetly floral. Northern California has so many traits that remind you of the old west when the sun beats down on you as you look out over the mountains. It's truly a mesmerizing sight. 

    So while walking I remembered long ago when I was in France meeting an old woman and her granddaughter in Chablis. The grandmother had called me over while I was walking past their home because I had looked lost to her. (Which I was...) Due to my lack of french her granddaughter had to translate for us. This is one of those chance meetings that you remember for you whole life. They asked me to share a bottle of wine with them in their garden. It was a perfect evening! 

     As the sun set and we sipped our wine with Edith Piaf playing on the grandmother's record player (no joke!) I looked around the garden and simply savored the moment. Then the grandmother said this which the granddaughter translated to me, "Tis magnific! In French gardens there's only beauty, no murder or intrigue like English gardens." 

    Off and on through the years I thought of the grandmother and granddaughter  and that french garden. Tonight my California garden rivaled it in different ways. No less beautiful and sans intrigue.

            There's just something about Ivy...I would love a house someday to be covered in ivy...

                   Hydrangea bushes are so simple and yet so lovely

  Napa Valley is one of the premier grape growing regions in the world and looking at these cypress tree it feels like he valley is part of Tuscany

            And the lovely lavender delightfully scent the warm evening...

         With this curtain of vines, its time to say goodnight and sweet dreams!

Today in History

Welcome to July! Since I was a history major in college I thought it would be fun each week to have a Today in History feature...Well we all know what happens on monday (more to follow this weekend), but today the Battle of Gettysburg began 148 years ago. The Civil War or War of Northern Aggression depending on who is reading was a unique time for Americans because not only did states fight each other but families separated over war issues.

  The map below shows the topography of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. If you haven't ever visited the battle site I highly recommend going and paying respect to the men who sacrificed their lives. Pennsylvania is particularly beautiful in the fall.

                                        (http://www.gdg.org/Research/Maps/Maps%20Main.html)

                    (http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/civil-war/1863/august/battle-gettysburg.htm)

Some of my favorite films depicting the Civil War are Gettysburg (1993) and North and South (1985).
I hope everyone has a great start to the 4th of July holiday weekend!

Welcome!

Evening all from the inquisitive lass! I hope to make this blog a place to wax poetic, gush, and simply enjoy things I stumble upon or discover without even meaning to.

  So tonight I thought I'd talk about tea. A cup of tea is usually how I start my day and during the winter how I end the day. I love the dark teas like Lady Jane Grey, Irish breakfast, and Earl Grey best of all. These tea set below was my mother's right after she graduated college. (I love the little feet ;) 

   But anyway I look forward to sharing more in the future! Goodnight and hope everyone enjoys their own cup of tea!