CONTEST - Please vote!

Many of you here know Claudie with the beautiful white hair of Bubblin' Over. She is a treasure in the blogging world and she's a real friend to many of us. I count her as my friend, because she's a delightfully funny lady with a warm heart who cares for people and fur-babies alike.

Please take a minute out of each day through December 10 to vote for her. Among other wonderful prizes, she could win $1000 to help with animal rescues in Ottawa, Canada.

We're trying to get her in the top five, at least. I have ninety-nine followers. If each of my followers would vote, Claudette, myself and the fur babies of Ottawa would sooo appreciate your help.

Won't you PLEASE take a minute out of the next few days to vote for her HERE:







Linking to:
White Wednesday

Tea Time!

Headed south? Florida bound? Have you been to Mount Dora, Florida? I would like to recommend Mount Dora as a delightful destination.
A small town, but full of charm and history, Mount Dora sits lakeside and rises to an elevation of around 180 feet...a virtual 'mountain' in Florida.

I discovered Mount Dora on a recent trip to visit my cousin in Orlando. She took me on a forty-five minute trip to this lovely village.
Only four days later, while on business with my husand in Daytona Beach, I revisited Mount Dora with two friends while our husbands were attending their meetings.

I love this little town. My favorite time there was spent in
The Garden Gate Tea Room.
Take a look at these images of The Garden Gate Tea Room ... you'll want to go!









This comfy, cozy little area was layered with quilts and pillows and
was the first room we stepped into as we headed for our table.


As we walked through one of the eating areas, we passed this beautiful
little nook decorated with victorian dresses.
You can see my friend, Nancy's, reflection in the mirror.

We saw shelves and corner cabinets filled with china along the way.


If you didn't come decked out in a hat for tea, you could borrow one here.

This is the heavenly mantel and mirror that greeted us in the room we had tea in.



Tiny lighted bulbs lit up the tea room like stars.




Look at this magnificent hutch!


What a divine piano!


What did we eat, you say?
I began with a glass of iced pomegranate-hibiscus tea...
the glass rim sparkled with sugar.

I think I had three glasses!

Nancy and Glenda had peach tea.

Nancy and Glenda ordered the Rosemary Chicken Pie.

I had a bite and it was scrumptious!

I ordered the Spinach Quiche. It was adorned with a pastry heart. Excellent!

For dessert, Glenda and I shared the cream puff swan...delicious!


Nancy had this pumpkin mousse dessert. Now, Glenda and I don't care for pumpkin, but we mustered up the courage to taste it and
we were really very pleasantly surprised..it was wonderful!

After our tea/lunch we visited another part of The Garden Gate Tea Room.

Just look at this!

Around this room hung lovely poofy dresses.

Deborah, Nancy and Glenda

Thanks for coming along with us. We loved The Garden Gate Tea Room and
Mount Dora and we're already planning to go back!

We know you will love it, too!

I AM LOVED!

I am loved...how do I know? Because April told me so.

She sent a pretty little package to me that said "I love you" in so many ways.

First, her giveaway brought attention to Breast Cancer Awareness Month.That's love.


As you see, I won her giveaway. The pretty pink bag from Hertzburg Diamonds was stuffed with tissue gift paper that announced "I am loved".

Inside that bag was a pink velvety pouch with the words "love, help and hope"



This little pouch held a beautful pink pearl bracelet with a silver breast cancer awareness charm.


Isn't it beautiful?!!

And what else?

Ten little pin on buttons proclaiming "I am loved"!



Thank you, April. I truly felt the love!

Please take a few minutes to visit with sweet April and her family
...and give her my love.

This queen bee is leaving the hive and headed south

for some sun and fun...although I hear the

weather is rather cool just now.

That's okay.

I need a little get-away.

Keep the hive warm for me.

I'll be back soon!

Gypsy Autumn

"The morns are meeker than they were,
The nuts are getting brown;
The berry's cheek is plumper,
The rose is out of town.
The maple wears a gayer scarf,
The field a scarlet gown.
Lest I should be old-fashioned,
I'll put a trinket on."

- Emily Dickinson -