Sunday, March 10, 2013

Roses, Tea Rooms and a Sunday Cup



Sunday at last...and an hour later, I might add...thanks to DST.

Spent a thoroughly wonderful Friday at my favorite tea-room (Almost Home) with Tammy and Loretta. Sipping tea and enjoying their signature broccoli casserole brunch while discussing the latest creation of David Austin Roses~  The above photographed~ "Keira"  Although they are still unavailable to plant (soon I hope) the latest creation is sold cut. Love the huge papery petals which number over 100 in each rose. As well as our Spring Planting plots and plans.

Have several other "Old Damask Roses" that I am adding to my border this Spring.

For your own David Austin Catalog  http://www.davidaustinroses.com/

They are remarkable!

Spring Cleaning done except for having the carpets finished...and tackling the storage (patio) shed this afternoon in the 50+ degree warm up. The snow has melted. Robins are everywhere. Heard Mourning Doves at dawn. And it smells like Spring at last!

Everything arranged and looking forward to an early birthday celebration with "Idgy" soon... Can't wait to see your new little town and your Cottage/Studio! 

Continuing with the 50 Shades Trilogy this week...with the second book Fifty Shades Darker by E.L. James.


Opening with a flashback of his early childhood, a nightmare. Ana having walked away from him at the end of the first book because of his fetish. 
Darker fleshes out Grey's psychological character more and we are introduced to Elena (~the older woman/family friend who helped build the sadistic Mr. Grey~) and also one of his former submissives. The watered down SMBD scenes and descriptions become tedious and repetitive and I found myself skipping over them often to get back to the story. Once again...a full 3/4 of the encounters could have been edited out and would have vastly improved the novel. And the exclamations of holy cow...or holy hell...or _______ continued to be as unrealistic and distracting as ever.  The numerous e-mails between the two characters were this novels saving grace. Funny. Quick-witted. Sarcastic. Entertaining. Have noticed a bit of maturation in the writing by the end of the second novel. There is hope. 

Finishing the Trilogy early next week to start on my book club's book of the Month:  Ender's Game. 

Off to enjoy the warmr weather and clear the shed!