Friendship in a Cup

A Ceremony of Friendship

"Come over for a cup of coffee," we say to our friends. What we really mean is, "Let's spend some time together talking." An invitation for coffee is synonymous with an offer of friendship; it means we want to take the time to get to know each other better. In our culture, drinking coffee together has somehow become one of friendship's building blocks, a small and casual ceremony that brings us closer to each other." (Coffee Talk by Ellyn Sanna © 1999)

Good morning everyone. Let me be the first to wish you a Happy Friendship Day:)

I hope you don't mind, but I need to ramble a bit today. I've been spending the mornings sipping my coffee under the new gazebo I bought while the kids were here. Won't you join me? I'm not usually hungry in the morning but if you like, I brought along, what I believe, is the perfect cake for such an occasion, Sock-It-To-Me-Cake.What a thing friendship is, world without end!
How it gives the heart and soul a stir-up!
~Robert Browning~
And what would a Kaffeeklatsch be without any flowers? I chose Gladiolus for today since they are one of the birthday flowers associated with the month of August.

We Have Another Guest; Hummer

Another is the Poppy.

Let's meander through the garden while we chat. There are so many gifts from nature I would like to share with you. Remember those Nasturtiums that were just about peeking over the edge of the planter in May? It was "iffy" for a while there but... (Nasturtiums don't transplant well)

Look at them now!

The heart is a garden That always has room For the flowers of kindness And friendship that blooms!

The beauty of friendship - As every friend knows - Is the loveliest blossom In the heart where it grows! author unknown

I asked Marion to join us. I persuaded her to pose under the sunflowers:)

Peek-aBoo

Unlike Marion, the Sunflowers seem to grow by the second:)
"The only reason for being a bee is to make honey.
And the only reason for making honey is so I can eat it.
Winnie the Pooh; Ambassador of Friendship
"Time for a little smackerel of something."
I invited a few other friends to join us. Can you see them? There's "Filly" the groundhog hiding under the rainbow pinwheel in the back. "Chippy" is under the pink one in the front and of course "hummer" is perching guard:) I was actually taking a picture of the hummingbird here. It wasn't until I downloaded the picture that I noticed the other two guests. And that was only because the kids pointed them out to me when I showed them on the computer:)

Filly, Chipper & Hummer

Thank you for sharing Friendship Day with me. It is sometimes difficult for me to acknowledge the online world of "invisible friends." I do hope you all realize how often I think about you and how much I appreciate your words. Now, won't you take a bouquet of Phlox before you go?

A Scent of Phlox for You

"In your chain of friendship consider me a link:)"
author unknown

Resources
1. Sock-it-to-me-Cake Recipe (previous post scroll down)
2. Frogs & Ladybugs Recipe from Favorite Brand Name Incredibly Easy Silly Snacks
3. Land O' Lakes Cinnamon Butter Spread & A Giveaway!