let's have some tea...

Hello and welcome to my mad tea party.  As you can see, the white rabbit and cheshire cat are here.  The Hatter is somewhere around...he doesn't stray far from his hat.

 

 

We can read Alice's story again while we have a spot of tea.  Oops...looks like I forgot to fill the kettle.  Make yourself at home, I'll be back.

Now, that's better.  Lots of tea and treats to eat while we visit.  Just be careful of the yellow cakes.  I think they might cause a little... well...

 

I told you to watch out for the yellow ones.  Have a little sip from the bottle and things will turn right side up.

There now... Let's have a nibble and a chat shall we?  I just love having a tea party.  It is so much fun to visit, isn't it? 

Oh my, look at the time.  Well, this has been lovely to catch up over tea and treats. Please stay as long as you like, enjoy the treats and come back anytime.  See you next time!

~*~

 

ps...Thank you to our wonderful party hostess, Vanessa.  Her parties are always so beautiful.  It is so much fun to play along!

 

 

half dead, half hollow...

this hasn't been a good week for me. the migraorbs have been running rampant through my brain.

i've spent the week in bed with just a very few outings...

the only art i've done this week is the two sketches above.

the second sketch i drew waiting in my doc's office for an appointment. i'm calling it half dead half hollow.  it's pretty much how i've been feeling.

but...there is a little bit of hope coming through. i've been able to get several errands run today.  and it looks like there may be a trip coming up soon, so something to look forward to...

speaking of something to look forward to

 

the lovely Vanessa is hosting a mad tea party this year.  i'm planning to join in so i hope to see you there (and here) next weekend.

well...time to go put out the mail for pickup tomorrow and clean off my bed so i can try to sleep.

thanks for reading...

~*~

 

Tea Time

Oh No!  Is that the time?  Goodness, I'm so very late!  Hurry, Hurry now!  Let's get a move on!

Thank goodness, everything is ready just in time.  I'm so happy you could join me for tea today.  Please pull up a chair and have a seat. 

  Help yourself to some tea and treats.

 Cupcake?  Hmm, chocolate chip, mango, or blueberry lemon? 

 I'd offer to cut the cake but the Queen hasn't been by yet.  She insists on having the first piece. 

I hope she hurries, I would love a slice of that cake.  Oh, don't tell her I said that!  I really don't want to lose my head.

Must you go so soon?  Oh well, of course I understand, it is a busy day and there is lots to do.  I hope you've enjoyed your visit.  Please do come back to see me again. 

A huge thanks to Vanessa for her party hosting magnificence.  If you haven't already, head over to her site for her party and the blog list of those participating.

thanks for stopping by!

love & blessings

~*~

Part 3

Bullets, Bombshells and The Best Laid Plans...

I'm back today with part 3 of my round up of the events of this year, so far.  You can find part 1 at Bullets and Part 2 at Bombshells. 

The Best Laid Plans

If you've been reading here for a while, you'll know that I go through periods of hibernation.  Living with chronic pain every minute makes living a full life very difficult for me.  Last year, I spent most of the year in extreme hibernation and finally started to come out of it around the middle to end of summer.  

Emerging meant finding things to help me cope with the pain and finding things that I can enjoy and make me feel like I'm actually living as opposed to existing.  Activities such as drawing, painting, writing, blogging, taking pictures, baking, etc.

Sometime last August or September, I found myself with an overwhelming desire to be outside.  So I started taking walks.  When I started, I couldn't even walk a half mile.  But I kept at it, and each time I walked, I was able to go a little bit further.  Eventually, I'd built up to 3.5 miles. 

When the new year came around I was doing great.  Exercising, drawing/painting every day, knitting a lot, and in general just having a rather enjoyable time.  I became determined to keep that going and not let myself get sucked back into the deep dark pit.  I joined the local Y and signed up with a personal trainer.  I exercised at least six days a week and joined a couple of art challenges online.   I felt so good.  I was very proud of myself for my exercising (and all the weight I'd lost and stamina that I'd built up).  I was getting much better with my drawings and my art in general was much improved. 

And well...the best laid plans...

Yep, you guessed it.  With the events of part 1 and part 2, everything fell apart.  I couldn't hold a pen/pencil/paintbrush steady with all the trembling (emotional and prescription change induced), I couldn't find time to hit the gym between hospital trips and bedside tending.  Then the new prescriptions kicked in and I could barely get out of bed.  It all became a giant cluster f*%#.  So...

Here I sit, beginning AGAIN.  Sometimes I feel like all I do is try again, over and over.

I went for a walk this morning as soon as I woke up.  The sun wasn't quite above the tree line and I felt it might be safe.  I walked .86 miles and it took me almost 18 minutes.  Before I quit exercising back in March, I'd worked up to almost a 15 minute mile.  :-(

Oh well...

Now I'm moving forward.  There are lots of things to look forward to, including figuring out my new computer (which I'm currently typing on and having a bloody difficult time doing), tea parties, summer flowers and gardens, fresh fruits and veggies and more.

On to the fun!  It is once again time for the wonderful summer extravaganza that is the Mad Hatter Tea Party.  Vanessa announced the date last week and here is my formal announcement that I'll be joining in the fun.

If you'd like to join in, click the link here.  It will take you to the post on Vanessa's blog announcing the party. 

Come join us for the party, it will be loads of fun!

Thanks for stopping by!

love & blessings

~*~

A Mad Tea, Indeed!

It's here!  It's here!  It's time for the Mad Tea Party!  Please come in and visit for a bit.  We have loads of treats and scrumptious tea. 

Tea time is around the coffee table today.  It seems most of the guests found the shrinking potion a bit early. 

 

Time for our audience with the Queen.  She brought her own special blend of tea and a mask for some reason.  Maybe she felt we should have a masquerade?

The Queen's jester came along for tea as well.  Oh the stories he tells!  He'll have us in stitches in no time.

 
 I think perhaps I should hold on to that key?!?  Wouldn't want to lose my only way to open the doors to Wonderland.

 A nice cup of tea and a few treats should be lovely right about now. 

 Perhaps an apple danish, molasses cookie, or a mini cupcake?  It all looks and smells so yummy!

Maybe just a bit of sugar for my tea...

 Oh, well, that's not quite the type of sugar I was thinking of...

 I see the Hatter is hiding out around the tea pot and the ladybug cake.  A good place I think.

 

 And there is Alice!  She seems to be carrying on quite the conversation with the ladybug. 

 Time to fill my teacup and have a seat.  Tea time is much better when one is sitting.  Trying to balance a cup of tea and a plate of treats is difficult but especially so when you must entertain a shrunken Queen.

 A little more fruit perhaps...

 Alice and the Hatter are heading through the looking glass.  I suppose that means tea time is over.  I really should get back on the hunt for my muchness.  I will find it...eventually!

 

 One more cup of tea and then I'm off on the hunt.  Mmm...lovely tea, but I seem to be feeling a bit...woozy.  Maybe I'll continue the search after a bit of a nap.

Thank you so very much for stopping in for Tea.  I do so hope you had a lovely time.  

Come back again and we can share another cup of tea.

blessings
~*~

ps... I'd like to give a huge hug and Thanks to our lovely hostess, Vanessa at A Fanciful Twist for not only hosting this lovely day for the 7th time, but also for being such a marvelously fantabulous inspiration!  Be sure to pop over to her blog and enjoy her party, plus the list of other parties.