while at the grocery store the other day I could not resist the beautiful blue of these ornamental thistles…
then before I knew it a magazine jumped into my cart at the check out lane…
titles like “The Lost Art of Writing a Love Letter” and
“Tea for Two…Where to go for fluffy scones & sticky cakes” caught my eye and when I got home I discovered that this is a British magazine which charmed me further…
so while I am thinking back on our wonderful trip to the UK last June I am enjoying the warmer temperatures with some signs of spring showing here and there in Virginia…
we have a nice variety of feathered friends visiting our suet feeder…
that rascally squirrel and his pal have been hanging around a lot since they discovered the free food…
the robins are busy hopping all around on the ground looking for worms and splashing in melted snow puddles…
I wonder if it is true that robins hatched in our garden last year will return again this year which might account for some of the ‘robin wars‘ we had in the yard last year…
it was such a thrill on our trip last year to snap a few photos of the European Robins (SO cute!!!)…
joining Elizabeth and Bleubeard as I sip water in my Irish mug and munch on Trader Jo’s Sesame Honey Almonds wishing you a happy T day with time to enjoy some of the simple things…
“It’s the simple things in life that are the most extraordinary.” ~Paulo Coelho
Magpie's Nest ~*~ Patty Szymkowicz 
I definitely want to have my tea in a scone-scented, steamy-windowed tea room now. Great photos.
Darla
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That does look like a charming magazine. I went on a long walk in a nearby preserve yesterday and the robins were so busy!! It got up over 50°F yesterday!! It was gorgeous!!
Happy Tuesday!
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Beautiful post Patty. I havnt had a magazine in a very long time but this one sounds like something I would like. The robin’s in Britain are so cute and round , and much smaller , I still expect to see them every spring and I have been in Canada now almost 40 years 🙂
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i love your spring pictures! we don’t have a yard -just a little patio- but the birds still come. i had forgotten all about my suet feeder! i will get it out next year.
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Oh those birds! So pretty – can’t wait for our robins to return but I hope they don’t hurry because there won’t be anything for them to eat until the snow is gone. It’s going to be awhile!
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Your post is another feast for the eyes! Love that thistle plant and will definitely keep an eye out for that magazine. The quilt background sets off your tablescape so wonderfully. And all those sweet bird pictures are terrific. Now where can I find a scone scented, steamy windowed tea room …………….?
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Now that is a successful shopping trip! Enjoy your tea and almonds while you read your magazine and listen to birdsong. Happy T Day!
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Hello, dear Patty,
Such a lovely magazine,… years ago we could buy both many British and many American magazines, but they are not that commond to find anymore, apart from the UK mag: Country Living which also is a beautiful mag…
–Your Robin certainly are very different from ours, –much bigger, and stronger coloured , they are wonderful, but not as sweet looking as the European ones , if I might say so 🙂
The thistles and your setting on the patchwork looks so lovely ,my sweet.
Thank you for your dear words, Patty -I hug you warmly.
Dorthe xxx
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Well Patty you show us time and time again what a great photographer you are-fabulous photos -especially the birds!! Ahh, yes now I know what you meant on your comment to me about retail therapy 🙂 Looks like a lovely magazine. I wish I could put a suet feeder out-it’s not the squirrels I have an issue with- but my dog! Can’t believe I don’t own an Irish cup or mug but I do hope to remedy that this weekend whilst in town for the Shamrock Parade and all things Irish-after all I am now a “thunderhead” :):)
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Hello Patty, Happy T Day! What a pretty springtime post for us today. That magazine sounds wonderful. How awesome that you have so many birds to enjoy, love these pictures! Of course a squirrel is always lurking in there somewhere and spoil the birds fun.
Thank you for sharing this today, so nice to see!!
Have a great day!
p.s. thank you so much for the link for helping my back. I called my cousin/nurse and she told me what I was doing wrong and sitting in a hard chair every morning when I get up isn’t helping. She also suggested a heating pad and my comfy chair. WOW, it has helped so much already, YAY!! Sadly, will have a to take a break from making art since the hard kitchen chairs and sitting for too long will make my back cramp up again.
I feel so much better and will be very careful to take care of it today. Thanks again!
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Wait…water? not tea?? Those magazines have a way of jumping into my cart too! This one looks quite nice but I’ve not seen it in Nebraska…have to keep my eye out.
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I’m glad spring has started to spring in your neck of the country. It has warmed a bit here, but still no signs of wildlife. Even the squirrels are still not around to check out the bird feeders.
I’ve never seen thistle before. It is a beautiful color. I also adore that magazine, being half British myself (and named for England’s queen, of course).
What a lovely vignette you have created today, both in pictures and words. Thanks for sharing all these lovely ideas with us during T(ea) today.
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I adore your pics from the birds.. saw the squirrel till a second glance.. first thought that ‘s also a bird! You bought fab simple things at the grocery store-
I try to enjoy a very simple but essential thing in life just now.. cleaning the house for spring!
hugs and kisses
xxx
Susi
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What great photos! The birds pictures are my favorites.
Happy T day
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It’s funny how things ‘just jump into your basket’ at stores…that happens to me a lot…..particularly our local hardware megastore. I often find a new plant, some glue for art, even the occasional brush, when I get to the checkout. It’s far too embarrassing to suggest that they’re not mine. so I just have to pay for them (with hubby’s credit card of course). Lovely post Patty.
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Beautiful photos Patty!! Especially love seeing all the birds 🙂 I do hope the Robins come back to your yard again this year. ~Sophia
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spring is in full bloom here, sun all over the week – so nice!!
i agree with the simplicity quote… and i really enjoyed your photos. your robins are a delight!!
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Wonderful mag…love how it jumped into your basket Patty 😉 Our robin’s in the UK are so different to your variety….a lot smaller, rounder and a little cuter too! 🙂 Fabulous birdy pics and just look at that cheeky squirrel!! 🙂 Beautiful Spring post!! x x
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Patty your photos are always so gorgeous–they belong in a magazine! I love any scone or cake or tidbit with my tea, funny I seem to reserve cookies to go with my coffee 🙂
Have a great Tea day 🙂
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Gorgeous photos, especially love the Robins. Have a great week, Shirleyxx
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Happy T-Day!
Beautiful photos! That quilt background sure said spring.
I am ashamed to write anymore. My handwriting was pretty bad before and now it’s even worse. Oh and can’t spell either. Thank goodness for spell check.
Scone sounded good right now. Now if I can somehow trick my daughter or hubby to make some!
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What a happy, friendly blogpost, Patty.
Yes, “The Simple Things” is one of my favourite magazines, always a relaxing read.
I enjoyed looking at your robins, isn’t it strange that we have the same name for different birds. We always love when our robin visits our garden.
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The art of handwriting any letters is close to my heart. 😉
What a beautiful post! Happy T-Day!
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Ma chère Patty, ce billet est délicieux, l’arrivée du printemps, ces magnifiques oiseaux qui trouvent chez vous de quoi passer l’hiver, un super magasine et une bonne tasse de thé, il fait bon chez vous.
Bizzzz
MAPY
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Fresh fluffy scones! I am feeling the urge to get in the kitchen to make some now. Bit late now I suppose.
I still have some love letters that my hubby sent me all those years ago. I cannot bear to bin them. Looong before texting and emails!
Lovely magazine and not one I have seen here in the UK!
Hugs
xx
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That does look like a great magazine! Love your photos and also the hope of Spring. We are under a winter storm warning tomorrow through Thursday 😦 More snow! xo
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Look at those robins! Oh, someday we’ll see those here! That looks like a great magazine — I haven’t seen it around here. Enjoy simple and lovely!
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Return of the house plant? Where did it go? Just kidding. I am returning and playing catch-up, not too well, but alas, best I can. Love all your photos…it was close to 50 here today and birds were everywhere and the witch hazel has started to bud. YAY. xox
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Loving your bird photos! We have lots of woodpeckers in the area but I have yet to lure them to the feeder.
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Hello Miss Patty, I just want to give you and the Mister big hugs, I ADORE the photos of our sweet feathered friends, they love to visit your nest, that’s cause your such a sweet Magpie, I need that magazine, I have falling in love with it hahaha. those Thistles are gorgeous, thanks so much for sharing them, love Thistles and those are beauties. See they are fighting over you guys, how sweet is that.. I looooooove the English robins they are so cute. love your little bowls with those yummy almonds, on that gorgeous quilt, the photos are fantastic, they should be in a magazine, thanks for this fabulous tea, you got me with the birds:O), have a wonderful day, ((( BIG HUGS)))..
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Well, I’m glad to hear that I’m not the only one who has trouble at the grocery store with things jumping into the cart all by themselves! Beautiful birdie photos, and love the flowers you bought too…hope you have a great week!
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Love your post, Patty! The thistle is wonderful. When I saw all the birds I remembered some photos I watched on the internet for feedings aids. I had to think of you when I looked at them so I will send the photos to you by e-mail.
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Maybe that’s why I live so far out into the bush – so I can’t go shopping! lol
I love the thistles.
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What an understated Robin..subtle as most things in UK. A flock of our redbreasted beauties check out the worms out front in the field. Will look for Trader Joe’s almonds. Almonds and Brazil nuts supply magnesium needed for energy…according to Dr. Oz. Thanks for the lovely visuals.
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love your back yard visitors and glad to see the crocus popping up their heads…yes simple things…:)
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Wonderful magazine and your photos are always so inspirational, soothing and beautiful! I needed some color as I sit this morning watching another 8-10 inches of snow fall…I remind myself it is March so it cannot be much longer until SPRING is finally here…thank you for warming my soul today! xoxo
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Patty these are wonderful sping photos. Especially love the Robin ones. The magazine sounds interesting. During the Medina weekend my friend had the “flow” in her bag – really a wonderful magazine, too.
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Hi Patty, I love your post and your pictures are splendid! I have had so many robins in my yard…big boys, too! I have had a bird feeder that was stolen by a raccoon, more than likely, but it couldn’t get it over the fence at the bottom of my yard, so it tore it apart! I had to resort to buying a ten pound chain and claw hook to keep the new feeder up on my “bird entertainment center”. As for suet cages, I am on my 10th cage..I think I shall grease the chain! I wire them onto branches, for all the good it’s done! Something far more clever than I succeeds in getting away with it! LOL! But, I refuse to give up! In the meantime, keep taking these grand photos, and I’ll keep having my war with the animals,
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Hallo Patty, that newspaper looks interesting. I think you had a good time with it and a good cup of tea and some cakes, isn’t it? Wonderful fotos you made, especially of the lovely birds and the squirrel. Fine to see that now spring came also to you.
Dear Greetings
Sabine
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Lovely birdies, & that looks like a great magazine Patty…I shall have to look out for it!
Alison xxx
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Hi Patty! That blue thistle is gorgeous – I’ve never seen it before. I’m also jealous of your little crocuses peeking through; we’ve had no signs of spring yet here in northern Kentucky. Love the robin photos!
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Love all your images! Something ate all of my suet in my feeder…. never saw who!
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Oh Patty looking through your post is always a treat to the eyes! Looking at the world through your lens is really fun! I love that you buying the magazin out of romantic feelings 😉 The robins reminds me at the older days when I was a child..so gorgeous! Here they called “Red-Troats” because the red color is there. Your guys have red bellies rather than a troat, hehe but they look more dynamic..don´t you think?! xox ♥ Conny
Piaroms Art Journaling
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Of course I love the thistles! It is little wonder you could not resist popping them into your grocery basket along with that magazine. That magazine looks so lovely it reminds me of a magazine I purchased when I have holidayed in America, I cannot for the life of me remember the time, but it was all about living a simple and authentic lifestyle, a great magazine (drat my memory LOL).
Wishes
Lynne
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I love ‘The Simple Things’ and have a few copies myself.
Hoping to get the latest edition when I go shopping tomorrow 🙂
Your photos are all so wonderful Patty; so glad you got to see some British robins last year…they really are quite different, aren’t they?
xx
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PS I guess you know there’s a website…. http://www.thesimplethings.com
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