The break in the weather has brought pleasant temperatures and breezes: perfect weather for taking a break in the Tea House. Mark took these images with his phone as we got up off of our knees from weeding to relax.
Me in my full mosquito-proof gear including a veil on my sun hat. For the first time in years, I've managed to get ground covers to grow where you step across the stream. Everyone is always looking down to check their footing on the stepping stones, so it behooves me to provide a weed-free view.
Look at the tray that Mark brought out with our coffee and a cookie to share. As he always likes to say, "Why wouldn't you line things up if you could?" Over the years he's done a lot of artwork that uses grids, stripes and checkerboards. He can't resist creating patterns.
We have cushions for sitting on the floor that are covered in beautiful blue and white Japanese fabrics. These days, however, we prefer to sit in chairs, especially if we've been on our knees weeding.
It's obvious my energy level is just about depleted at this point in the afternoon.
Our Tea House is more rustic than the one I saw on the recent WHPS tour to an estate garden in Lake Forest, Illinois.
It was fun to see one in a private garden, but I like ours better.
The view out the full height door looking toward the upper pool.
Looking out the same door around the back of the upper pool toward our weeping Serbian spruce. We bought it from Peter at Stonewall Nursery in 2014 and it has done beautifully.
The views out the other door.
A narrow band of windows goes around the walls between the two doors.
We change the scroll and other items in the Tea House periodically. Sometimes there is an antique Japanese pot or ikebana basket. Currently the interior is more multi-cultural with an African mask and a mid-century Raku pot from a local antiques mall.