Friday, June 10, 2011

Tea in the Garden

One of my favorite places to have tea is in our gazebo, so please come in and have a seat while we relax and rejuvenate.  I am linking with Bernideen for Tea in the Garden on Saturday and with a few other friends.  Today also happens to be National Iced Tea Day.

Surely, there are few things more inspiring than fresh peony blossoms.  Their sweet aroma alone can take one back to a simpler time.

Peonies (Paeonia) have been stalwarts of spring and summer gardens for decades.  Did you know they got their start in the wild, primarily growing from the mountains to the sea in regions stretching from the Mediterranean to east Asia.

Early in the spring, I always put on my grow through supports since their huge flowers sit on weak stems, which often bend at the first sign of rain.  I have three different varieties in my perennial garden.  My favorite is the double flowers which have numerous ruffled petals that fill the center of the bloom.  Their fragrance is that of a sweet rose and is most fragrant in the morning before their volatile oils dissipate with the heat of the day.

These old-fashioned flowers are one of my favorites, but what about those darn ants!  Clearly, the flower buds produce a sweet substance that they like; however, I don't want them in my house.  This year I will try soaking the buds in water before bringing them indoors.

I have set out a fruit basket for us to enjoy.  Please help yourself to some delicious grapes and sweet, juicy watermelon. 

It is rather warm today so I have a refreshing glass of green tea with lemon.  May I pour you a glass?

"For some would say flowers are nature's masterpieces, but a well-made basket is a priceless treasure."

This oval-shaped peony basket features a lovely sage trim with a scalloped liner bursting with colorful peony blossoms.

The peony fabric is beautiful and matches our basket liner.

Thank you for sharing a cool refreshment with me.  Have a wonderful weekend!  I am also linking with the following ladies:

Mosaic Monday @ Little Red House
Tea Time Tuesday @ Rose Chintz Cottage
Table Top Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life
Tea Cup Tuesday @ Martha's Favorites
Tea Cup Tuesday @ Artful Affirmations
Tuesday Tea for Two @ The Plumed Pen
Bloomin' Tuesday @ Ms. Green Thumb Jean
Tuesday Garden Party @ An Oregon Cottage
Outdoor Wednesday @ A Southern Daydreamer
Cottage Flora Thursday @ Fishtail Cottage

28 comments:

Bernideen said...

Oh my.... these peonies are wonderful - I would hang some upside down to dry! Your post is so lovely. I decided to try the linky thing and it worked - I am an airhead so if I can learn stuff - anyone can! Ha! Thanks for a lovely post here!

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

Hi Donna
Your peonies are so pretty and I think I can smell them from here. Do you know the name of the wine coloured one in the bouquet? Ours should be open in a few days. The tablecloth is a nice addition to your tea table and the basket of fruit is adorable.
The weather has cooled right down here but a glass of green iced tea would be nice.
Judith

Carolyn said...

Hi Donna,
your peonies are beautiful-they are hard to beat aren't they!
It is a lovely setting for your tea.

Have a great weekend,
Carolyn

KarinsArtScrap said...

it's looks wonderful and delicious donna.
your peonies are looking beautiful and a lovely color they have specially the dark one.

greetings karin

Johanna said...

Hello Donna,
thank you forhaving me for this delightful refreshement with green tea and lemon and the fuits. That is the right tea time for a hot day. Your peonys are wonderful. I really love peonys and would love to have some in my garden. I always hesitated to plant some because I know they will need a long time before blooming. But in the end I know that since ages and could have huge bushes meanwhile. So is life! Stupid me, right?
Wish you a wonderful time.
Best greetings, Johanna

Rizzi said...

HELLO DONNA,
YOU HAVE A LOVELY POST, YOUR PEONIES ARE JUST BEAUTIFUL. YES....I WOULD LOVE A GLASS OF TEA....
THANK YOU.....HAVE A LOVELY DAY. RIZZI
GIFTS FROM THE SEA

shazsilverwolf said...

Your garden pictures are wonderful- I adore your peonies. We have some too, they are such stunning flowers. Here in England, most people grow the dark red one, it is quite unusual to see the pink & white ones. Hope you are well, Shaz

CosmoGirl Carla said...

Hi Donna! What an inviting little tablescape. Peonies are my absolute favorite flower. I love their soft, silky blossoms and their fragrance ~ mmmm, just can't get enough. I'll stuff my whole face in their blooms and just breath their lovely scent, all the while hoping I don't inhale and ant! :o) Sadly, mine are done blooming now.

Oh, and I have that same Longaberger basket. Again, it's one of my favorites. Thanks for sharing.
Carla

Connie B. said...

The flowers are so beautiful. Can't wait for mine to bloom. Such a pretty pattern on the cloth. Lovely garden. Wish I were there...

Jennipher said...

Donna, what beautiful flowers you have! I love the fabric too.

carlota said...

Beautiful photos. Love the peonies.

Angi said...

what a beautiful and lovely day!

linda said...

Very restful and beautiful.
And the tea taste great!

Maura @ Kisiwa Creek Photography said...

Hi Donna,
What a wonderful place to sit and have a cup of iced tea and enjoy your lovely flowers. I love peonies...they are one of the beautiful flowers that remind me of my Nana. Thanks for stopping by today...it was very nice to 'meet' you! Have a wonderful day.
Maura :)

Snap said...

Such beautiful peonies and yes, I'll have a glass of iced tea with you and enjoy your flowers! Happy Tea Day!

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Dear Donna,
Your peonies are simply scrumptious. Oh, I do love them! The peoney fabric is gorgeous and your tea is wonderful. Perfect for a summer day. Thank you for joining me for Tea Time and have a delightful week.

Blessings,
Sandi

Johanna Gehrlein said...

Hello Donna,
beautiful peonies and beautiful basket. What a very nice Tea Time. Thank you for having me for tea.
Best greetings, Johanna

Becky said...

Beautiful Peonies Donna, and that basket full of delicious fruit hit the spot. :)

Pamela Gordon said...

Hi Donna, thank you for visiting me today. I just looked at your post with the peonies. They are lovely but I too, don't like the ants that come with them! Have a great week! Pamela

Kathy said...

Oh I just love Peonies - yours are beautiful - love the colors - mine have come and gone for quite a while now - they only last a few days, but they are so worth it!
Beautiful tea setting!
Kathy

Joy@aVintageGreen said...

Your peonies are so beautiful. I picked my first few today and they have made the house smell so sweet. The ants love mine too so I've been finding the little critters running across the table. I forgot to check the flowers before I brought them in. The plants are covered with the ants though. I added you to my tea time favorites.
- Joy

Diana LaMarre said...

Very pretty peonies! I have only the white, but they are not yet blooming.

Jean said...

Love the dark colored peonies! Jean

Athena at Minerva's Garden said...

What a lovely spot to sit and enjoy your garden--thank you for sharing it with us.

Judy Rozema said...

Oh my goodness! I am thrilled to see this pictures - how relaxing they are and what a wonderful tea party!

Sherry said...

Beautiful post! I also love peonies, mine are a little behind this year but we should enjoy them very soon. I love the basket, which I also have one of. I am reminded by your photo to bring my basket out where I can enjoy it.

Fishtail Cottage said...

Thanks so much for linking up to Cottage Flora Thursday's! Loving your peonies - all such pretty colors! xoxo, tracie

Polished Moxie said...

I love peonies and yours are beautiful. I missed a lot of my blooms this year due to my travel. Your tea looks very refreshing.