Sunday Tea.

My mother in-law gave me her grandmother's china when Don and I had our first house together. It's predominantly Limoges, but was collected over a number of years spanning the war. The factories were shut down at one point and then re-opened in different locations. Regardless, the dishes are all white with a double gold band. They're not all perfectly matched, but I like the history of the dishes and that's way more interesting, anyway.

I cut some peonies (my favourite flowers) from the bushes near our back lane.





Some of the ladies brought foods to share at the tea and there were also take-home treats.

Raffaella brought pink lemonade as takeaway treats, and open-faced cucumber sandwiches for the tea.





Elize made a dill, chive, and smoked salmon quiche.

Lisa made brownies.





I wore a huge necklace. Too bad I was wearing it backwards. Once I discovered this was the case and flipped it over, a whole row of faux-bling diamonds was revealed in addition to the giganto-pearls. I may be a petite person, but I sometimes like my accessories to be a little over the top.





I thought this was pretty cute.





Leanne made a fruit tart with fresh provisions from Saturday's market.

And Crystal made salted caramels for take home treats. She even had them in little candy boxes!





Yummy.





I was actually the only one not wearing a colourful dress. I had on a gray tank and black skirt with a gray print. Good thing there was enough colour without me.

Elize's dress is so 50s. Love the giant pink herringbone.





Leanne wore her sunshine trapeze dress. I think this is one of my favourites of the dresses she has. Perhaps the reason is I can't pull off that colour to save my life (not because of bravery, because of skin tone). I think the dress looks amazing with my marimekko napkins too.





Lisa is likewise ladylike. Two points for alliteration!





Somebody must have said something incredulous to Crystal. I was photographing so it probably wasn't me.





More peony obsessing.





There were nice eyelet hems.








And Dougal received a lot of love.





I don't think I've written about the Dougal tragedy. While Don and I were in Toronto, Dougal dug a hole under my parents' fence where he was staying. They have looked after him many times and he usually accompanies my dad in the backyard while he's gardening. Well... this time Dougal escaped. He was hit by a van.

Luckily he's not just road kill. The lady who was driving slammed on her brakes and his head got wedged between her tire and the pavement. Long story short, the pressure caused his eyeball to dislodge from its socket. The vet had to remove it and sew Dougal's eyelids together so he now only has one eye.

Pirate Dougal.

And he had a huge ouchie on the top of his head which was bald and scabby for a long time Luckily he is healing really well and the hair is growing back. Other than various abrasions on his front paws, he is okay. No nerve damage and no broken bones or problems with cognitive functions.

Since he is snoozing in this photo he looks pretty normal, but when his one eye is open he looks tough.

Just figured you should all know so when you see future pictures of Dougal you're not confused. We're just really thankful he is alive. Incidents like this really make me pause and consider how important it is to appreciate all the wonderful people (and the scruffy dog) in my life. I feel as though I'm mindful of this on an ongoing basis, but reminders are good too.

Nothing is forever. People and pets in your life will come and go. But it's key to realize these relationships are worth investing in. And I think it's equally important to realize which relationships are not worth investing in.

Seems a lot more meaningful than hanging around certain people just because they're convenient, or making a big deal out of how much you care for somebody when they get hurt or when they are sick. Where were you and that friend all the other times before the emergency situation? What I'm saying is that if you like somebody, you should be present in their lives.

The Dougal incident reminds me to be conscious about appreciating good relationships.

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