They say there’s a tree in the forest...
A tree that will give you a sign...
Come along with me...
To the sweetheart tree...
Come and carve your name next to mine...
They say if you kiss the right sweetheart...
The one you’ve been waiting for...
Pink blossoms appear...
To hold your love near...
And your love will be true...
Evermore...
I hope you enjoyed these photographs as well as the song lyrics by Johnny Mercer from the song "The Sweetheart Tree." I must confess I took some liberties with the original lyrics. The song refers to a tree with white blossoms. But I happen to think the Golden Rain Tree with its pinkish, heart-shaped pods (as seen above) make it a good fit for sweethearts everywhere. And when a pod falls to earth...
It bears a striking resemblance to a pair of kissy lips...
Brangelina, anyone? ;-)
A native of China, the Golden Rain Tree grows prolifically throughout Florida. On the First Coast, we see the tree bloom golden in September followed by pink blossoms in October, a double measure of beauty for which Mr. Magpie and I give thanks!
Speaking of thanks, I'm joining my wonderful friend Lynn at The Vintage Nest for her Giving Thanks Blog Party HERE . I hope you will join us to give thanks for your blessings as well.
And I am also joining my sweet friend Beverly at How Sweet the Sound and her friends for Pink Saturday HERE. If you love pink, you don't want to miss this event.
Thanks for visiting me, and as always, I look forward to visiting you, too! To that end...
I want to let you all know that I am on a major time crunch because our house is going to be on a Christmas Tour in less than three weeks. I have workmen and deadlines (not to mention Thanksgiving!) looming, and I have been sick on top of it. So please forgive me if I am visiting sporadically. I hate it, but I have very limited computer time. So I will try to sneak in some visits when I do have it. Please keep a light on for me and remember me in your prayers. And thank you for always being such sweethearts! XOXOXOX
Warmly,
Mrs. Magpie (Sheila)
This post is dedicated to the Royal Sweethearts, Prince William and his Bride-and-Princess-To-Be, Kate Middleton. In case you haven't heard, they have just announced their engagement, and he gave her Princess Diana's ring! I thought it was the perfect gesture, and he said it was so that his mother could be a part of their big event. Princess Diana left it to William in her will so that he could give it to the woman he loved some day, and that day is finally here! :-)
79 comments:
This is an awesome post. I love the Kissy lips! Your so much fun. I hope we get to see the tour too! I'm sorry you have been sick and I will pray for you. It's crummy isn't it!
What a beautiful tree Sheila! I don't think I've ever heard of this, it's really stunning. And those blossoms do look like kissy lips! And thanks for the story about Prince William, I did not know that he gave her his mother's ring. I just hope that her life is alot smoother than Diana's was. There will ALWAYS be a light on for you sweetie! Try not to overdo and get too run down. Hugs, Kat
Golden Rain Trees are very nice. I wish I had room to grow one in my garden.
Very happy about the engagement announcement!
NOT HAPPY about hearing you are feeling under the weather! I'll say a prayer for sure.
Very exciting news about your home tour! I love it!
And this was a very sweet post! It's always nice to visit here.
Thanks, Sheila.
Love and Prayers,
Eileen
The blossoms certainly do look like lips! Such a beautiful tree in a beautiful state.
I think you have taken on way too much...but, I know how it happens and once that ball is rolling there is no stopping it. You are always in my prayers but I'll add a few more to help you feel well enough to get through the next few weeks!
My goodness, I do love that tree. I so wish we had them here in Ga, what beauty.
Hope you are feeling better, sounds like you need to be on top of your game, you are one busy lady and with your house beening showcased in a tour... WOW~
Have a blessed thanksgiving.
I've never seen a tree like that and, yes, the pods do look like juicy red lips! How neat! Will be wishing you well as you prepare your house to show...and I'll say a prayer that you get over your sickness soon! Take good care, Sheila!
Hi Sheila,
What a beautiful, beautiful post!
They do look like lips!
And how exciting to have your home on a Christmas tour! Now is the time I would love to come to Florida! What a neat thing.
Yes, we will be thinking of you and wishing you the best my friend.
Hugs,
Cindy
This was awesome Sheila! They really do look like lips :) I hope you feel better soon! *big hugs*
Cool story! The leaves really do look like lips, I had no idea!
I am so glad to hear
from you but sorry
that you are ill and
on a time crunch
but happy that your home
is on the tour. Yay!
What a sweet post and
the tree is just gorgeous
and yes, those look just like
lips!!!
Hooray for Will and Kate, they
make a beautiful couple and I, too,
love that she will be
wearing that sapphire beauty! I
miss Diana.
Sending many prayers your way and
Happy Thanksgiving!
XO,
Jane
Hi Sheila
Those pods really do look like kissy lips! Loved the beautiful pictures and words you shared today and how you dedicated them to William and Kate. I meant to e-mail you today to find out your reaction to the wonderful news. It's so exciting over here right now. Just what our county needs to cheer us all up. Sorry you have not been well. Hope you are on the mend. Good look with your house. Hope you will be sharing pictures. I know it will look amazing.
Lindsay
x
Sheila, if you could see here in England, Prince William and Kate are EVERYWHERE!!!!
Ok, it is so lovely he's given her his mother's ring.I agree, I almost shed a tear.
But I am more mesmerised by your tree.
I just want to kiss those lips! isn't it silly? He!he!
Oh my word! I'm assuming a bubbly birdie told you that I was there. I told Larry, more than once, "I wish I knew where
Mrs. Magpie lives". I looked at homes and tried to envision it being your home, but not having seen your home...who knows?...we were probably right in front of it at one time. I even thought the couple sitting next to us at Columbia might be you and your hubby. I am soooo sorry that I didn't go prepared, but then I didn't know we would go to
St. Aug until the last minute. Please forgive me. Pleeezze!
BTW, I love your lovey-dovey post!
xoxo
Deborah
Hey girly~
Sweet Post! You are always such a joy to stop in and visit!
Now...get well. Sick Shelia isn't a good thing!
Love to you~
Rebecca
Brangelina! You always make me laugh. The trees are so pretty, and as you know, I am more than grateful for the weather. It is a pretty time of year, but so are the other eleven months.
Feel better!!!
Hugs,
Florida Fan
I LOVE THIS!!! They do look like kissy lips. I laughed right out loud at Branjolina. Ha!
And I forgot that you were a kindred royal watcher. Won't we have fun as they plan this wedding?? I wonder if I'll get up as early as I did when Dianna got married. Betcha I do.
Your so sweet Sheila!
Nobody can get to ever post, it's like impossible.
I hope you feel better soon. I hope you had your flu shot too. Oh dear, now I sound like your Mother.
hehe.
Take Care and I will say a prayer,
Hugs,
Cindy
What a lovely post - I enjoyed every bit of it.
How exciting to be on the tour - I can't wait to see photos.
Glad you told us about Prince William. I don't have TV and don't read the newspaper so I'm out of the loop.
I love love love the kissy lips. Awesome!!! I would frame that pic and hang it on my wall.
You have a lot going on. Take care of yourself during the holidays. Big big hugs.
What a neat tree, I'm glad you shared the pictures and the story of the tree.
How exciting that your home is going to be featured on a tour! I've been under the weather, too. I'll send you some DayQuil & NyQuil down stat.
I, too, am excited about the upcoming royal wedding. I was so excited when I saw her wearing Diana's ring!
Feel better soon!
Hugs from Heidi
Oh Sheila, a Christmas House Tour! I'm sure your home will be lovely. Wish I lived closer so I could come!
Hi Sheila, I love the pods of that tree and as always, a fabulous post. Happy Thanksgiving week. xoxo Your friend, Lynn
What a wonderful tree and you do take the most beautiful photos. I had no idea that tree bloomed twice in different colors. I do know it is one of my favorites in the Florida landscape as is the cassia which I believe we call the golden poui in the Caribbean. When it blooms, we say it is time to start studying for exams :) Sorry to hear you have been ill. I hope you feel better soon. Say Hello to Mr Magpie from David and I.
Sheila, this is the dearest post. The tree is glorious, the words endearing, and the note about Prince William offering Princess Diana's ring to his bride is the perfect connection.
I'll be thinking about you and all that is on your plate. I'm thankful for your friendship! ~ Sarah
How exciting to have your house on a Christmas tour, Sheila., Take lots of pictures! That tree is so pretty and you're right, the blooms look like a pair of lips....Christine
My friend Sheila!! I have missed you. I finally got my computer to "follow" you! Whoo hoo..Loved reading!! I just caught up with your blog love it! Grace xoxoxo
Hi Dear Sheilaness! Oh, what a beautiful tree and the little blooms do look like lips! Mine of course - all poofy and voluptuous! :) Now you know I'm kidding!
We sang that song - The Sweetheart Tree - when I was in the choir during high school! :)
You're bringing back some sweet little memories for me.
Hope you've gotten some rest!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
Gorgeous and insightful as always and those lips look like they were injected with a bit of restaline!! Love that we will have another royal wedding to swoon over...Diana will always be in their hearts...love it!!
Happy Thanksgiving and take care of yourself...home tour...major ambitious...everything always seems like a good idea when you first think of it...try to take it easy. Big Hugs xOxO Nerina
Sheila,
A House Tour? Please give us a virtual one after!
Praying that you have a speedy and uneventful recovery from your illness.
What a fascinating tree!
What a lovely post, Sheila. Your photographs are stunning...then again, they are photographs of God's marvelous creation, so what else could they be, but stunning?
We had a golden rain tree in our backyard in Florida. SO pretty!!!!! Therefore, your post reminded me of home.
And, yes, they do, indeed, look like lips when they fall to the ground.
Daughter and I are most excited about the upcoming royal wedding. We've been anticipating it for quite awhile now. And I, too, think it's lovely that he is including the beautiful Princess Diana by giving his true love his mother's ring.
Have a lovely evening, sweet friend.
Love,
Patti
Sorry you have been sick! :-( Feel better soon!
I love those golden rain trees!!
Wish I could come help you prepare your house for the home tour!
Are you going to the Nights of Lights Saturday? I'll have a guest here and we may come up for it.
Katherine
Sheila I never saw a tree like this before! The kissy lips blossoms are so cute!
I remember Prince William as a baby in his mother's arms and now he's all grown up and going to have a royal wedding! I wish them more love and happiness than poor Diana had.
I can't wait to see photos of your house tour! Enjoy it and don't worry we'll all be here when you have time. Feel better! Happy Thanksgiving!
xxoo Pat
Sheila, you left one thing out about that beautiful tree....see all those cute things and leaves hanging on that tree??? They will be all over your grass very soon!!!
What a mess those trees make! I have one! LOL
Hugs, Ann
Boy, your plate is always so full! I do not know how you do it!
What glorious pictures of a truly magnificent tree, Sheila.
I hope you feel better soon, and can slow down long enough to enjoy your Thanksgiving celebration.
I can't wait to see pictures of your lovely home decorated for the holidays. I know it's going to be filled with the spirit of Christmas, and decorated to perfection.
Take care and let us hear from you when you can.
Sheila, how exciting that you house is on a home tour. I know it must be frustrating for you, but that's a very high honor.
Sorry to hear that you've been under the weather. Hope you're on the mend and better soon. Take good care of yourself and I'll be thinking about you. Wish I lived next door and I could bring you some chicken soup.
The golden rain tree is blooming in our little part of Florida too. The flower pods DO look like lips don't they? You are so clever to have noticed that. Diana's ring is a beauty and I hope it brings Kate much happiness.
Sam
Good morning Sheila, I love your take on the 'Golden Rain Tree' because I LOVE that beautiful tree too. Several years ago when we first moved back to Miami because of Bill's job, I discovered that tree in our new neighborhood. I was fascinated by the gorgeous blooms. I was in a big hurry to get home and several days later I went driving in the area to find that tree. I spent 20 minutes looking for that tree and didn't find it again. I was so bummed. I love the analogy of the lips. You cracked me up with "Brangelina"
I hope you feel better my dear friend and PLEASE take photos of the Christmas tour. It turns out my grandson's wedding shower is Dec. 4th. We will all be in Florida that weekend. Maybe I told you. That includes Christina.
Have a blessed Thanksgiving in case I don't get back to you. We are having 30 family members for Thanksgiving and I am under the wire making all the plans. My sister Diane and her whole family will be here on Saturday for a week. She is renting a large home nearby for her family. Our son will be here to stay a couple days before turkey day and they (7) will stay in the cabin and the RV. Life is wonderful but busy. I love my busy life. Smile!
Love and warm hugs, Jeanne xoxoxo
I haven't thought of that song in years--now I'll be humming it all day!! Your photos of the "sweetheart" tree are lovely.
Yes, I'm looking forward to the distraction of a royal wedding with all it's pomp and circumstance.
Best,
Bonnie
A most beautifully unique tree... thanks for sharing these photos, Sheila! And those blossoms!!!
Here's hoping that your open house tour will be wonderfully successful and not too stressful.
Take good care, too... good nutrition and rest when you can. You will share pics from the tour, yes?
Hugs,
Karen
Hello dear Sheila,
I really miss your posts, but you do reward me with comments on my blog and I REALLY love those.
Your Sweetheart tree is GoRgEoUs!!! What a striking resemblance to "lips", unbelievable~
WoW, how fun to have a house on a Christmas tour, I do hope we get to see all of the photos of your home, I am so looking forward to them. I hope and pray that you are feeling well, you can't be sick, you have too much to do.:)
Love and hugs, Cindy
Brangelina indeed :-). I loved your post and the photos of the tree. I hope you had a fabulous Pink Saturday. Blessings...Mary
Get yourself well, S, so you can enjoy the holiday! I am having a hard time doing that!
Beautiful tree!
Where was this tree when I was kissing those TOADS????
Love this post! The blossoms look just like lips!
Hope you are feeling better!!
Lou Cinda :)
I love those trees, they feel so magical especially in the fall!
Sheila,
First of all Get well soon, and try not to over do it...I know that isn't possible at this busy time of the year!!
I love this tree, I have never heard of a sweetheart tree or if I have seen one I did not know the name! Adorable
Have a wonderful blessed Thanksgiving
xx
Bunny
Good evening sweet friend,
The Golden Rain tree is absolutely gorgeous and the blossoms do look like two lips kissing, what a treat.
I am sorry you haven't been feeling well, I will be praying for healing and strength, as you have been busy.
Oh! how I would love to be on the Christmas tour of your home, Please! pretty please, do share with us
Much love and hugs,
Sue.
How exciting that your home is going to be on a Christmas Tour! I hope you will be posting lots of pictures!
I wanted to pop in to say a very big "Thank you" for your sweet birthday message. Your comment really meant a lot to me! I am so sorry it has take me so long to visit, but I had a great week celebrating!
I hope your weekend is fabulous-take care and don't work too hard!
Best wishes always,
Natasha.
xo
That is a new tree to me...THANK YOU for sharing it was us on Lynn's first Give Thanks party and, because of it's pinkness, on Beverly PSat.
I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Sheila.
L, Dana
Happy Pink Saturday, dear Sheila. You take care of yourself - and enjoy your holiday with your family.
The Golden Rain Tree is one of my special memories.
I love the tree and it's lips. I am so grateful for your blogging friendship and hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Char
What a great post! I had never heard of the kissing tree and what a beautiful tree it is! I am so excited about the royal wedding and I just love that Prince William gave Kate his mothers engagement ring. Sigh.... I wish them every happiness in the world.
Oh Sheila, you know i LOVE the Rain tree, but I must admit, I never took the time to look at the blossoms on the ground and see how indeed, they do look like kissy lips! You always find the beauty and the uniqueness in this wonderful world of ours. That's what makes you such a special person just one reason I am proud to call you my friend.
You are so busy, busy, busy these days and I am hoping to make it over for the walking tour, but I already know that no other home will come close to the beauty that surrounds and fills yours!
Love ya my dear, darling friend! Here's some kissy lips and big ol' hugs coming right to you and your sweet hubby!
Kisses and ruby lips/this post could not be missed ~ LOL 2 cute
You are such a ray of sunshine and delight in my life !
(hugs always)
Hi Sheila...
My friend, I just loved this post...it was ever sooo sweet! You know, I have never seen this type of tree...but you are sooo right, the little blooms look just like kissy lips! How fabulous is that? I also enjoyed reading a few of the lyrics to the song as well!
I was just elated when I heard on the news that Prince William...had finally...proposed to his Kate! Ohhh my...can you even begin to imagine what it would be like to wear Princess Diana's blue sapphire ring? Whew!!!
Love, love, LOVE this post, dear lady! Thank you so much for sharing it with us! I'm really excited to hear that your fabulous home will be a part of your communities Christmas Homes tour. Can't wait to see your beautiful decor, my friend!!! I also wanted to say thank you for coming by and taking a peek at my autumn candlelight dinner. I realy enjoyed your sweet note and well wishes, my friend! Thank you!!!
Warmest Thanksgiving wishes to you and your sweet family...
Chari @Happy To Design
You are still blooming and green in Florida. It is beautiful!
And you home must be gorgeous too if it is on a Tour of Homes.
And I am happy for William and Kate - oh I like the name William too! teehee
Take care and visit when you can.
Love,
sandie
Happy Thanksgiving and I'm making my rounds from the Vintage Nest Give Thanks Party. I love your post as I have a huge Sweetheart tree in my front yard aka the Golden Raintree. It was there when we moved in our first home in 1966 and I'm still here. Yes I married my sweetheart and so appropriate! Such a beautiful tre and such a lovely post. Hugs Marilou
Gorgeous images of the "sweetheart tree," Sheila! I'm thankful that you saw fit to share its beauty with us this week. And you're sharing your home as part of a Christmas tour? How brave you are! I was listening to a description of an upcoming tour of homes on local radio today (they said things like, "Take as long as you like to look at everything in the home," and I thought, "It's like having your home on the market!").
So sorry you've been under the weather, sweet lady. Hope you feel better very soon!
Congrats on winning Gloria's giveaway! I was delighted to see that you'd won. I was also pleased to see the announcement of Prince William's engagement. I agree that it was touching that he gave Kate his mother's ring.
Well, this comment is longer than your post! Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Warmest regards,
Bill
Take care of yourself, Shelia & don't let all the hectic craziness of this season make you even sicker!
I hate the stress of it all!!
Your pretty pink tree was very soothing to look at & I ♥ ♥ ♥ those lips!!! LOL Good eye!
Love those seedpods like lips - or Chinese lanterns... Perfect pinkness. And thanks for the mention of Prince William & Kate. I'm not sure about the ring... still, as long as she's happy....
Happy Pink Saturday! And good luck with the decorating.
Such a beautiful tree, Sheila! It's lovely that Prince William gave his mother's ring to his beloved! So romantic and endearing at the same time. Happy Pink Saturday and a wonderful Thanksgiving is wished for you and your family next week.
Blessings,
Sandi
I love your post and the sweetheart tree. Hope you are feeling better soon. I've been under the weather too. Happy PS.
Blessings,
Tricia
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and a happy pink day too! I will always think of your when I see those trees now.
Happy Pink Saturday!!
Yep this is awesome I have never seen a tree like this. I have not been good about visiting are posting consistently. I think people are just so busy and overwhelmed. Hope you have a great holiday, The post was amazing.
Sweeeeeet Sheila...
Oh my goodness, I laughed out loud at the lips... That was just tooo cute. I've never seen a sweetheart tree before, we are in Evergreen territory here in the NW.... :-)
Yep, you were right, those little reindeer plates are as cute as can be. Just adorable.
Big hugs to you sweeeeet Chickie!
xoxoxoxoxo
S
Those blossoms are really pretty. Happy Pink Saturday and also Happy Thanksgiving.
Hi Sheila, just stopped over to wish you a happy pink Saturday. I KNOW you are knee deep in getting your St. Augustine home all ready for the tour. I actually put up my pink Christmas tree in our bedroom. A bit of a jump start.
Blessings and love to you and yours for a Happy Thanksgiving.
Love you much, Jeanne xoxoxo
What a grand post! Beautiful tree.
Sorry for the late visit- I think of busy Saturdays as a "Pink Weekend" since it takes me that long to visit everyone!
Happy belated PS!
In shoes we trust,
Maggie Mae@
"Do these shoes match this purse?"
I've never, ever heard of this type of tree-I'm really intriqued!!!!
That is one sweet post, Sheila! I enjoyed it!
I feel like it's been a month since I've checked in with you (or any bloggers, really!) and I just loved catching up! Beautiful tablescapes, beautiful trees (WOW!) and I hope that you'll be sharing pictures of your house once it's all gussied up! I'll also pray that you will turn a corner and feel GREAT this season; hope you feel better already!
Jen :)
Happy happy Thanksgiving Shelia. Enjoy!
Much love,
Sue
Beautiful tree, Mrs. Magpie! I don't think I've ever seen this tree before...it would be hard to forget it! All I can say from your ending notes is, it's a GOOD THING you have a lot of dishes. From the sounds of it, all of your plates are full. Don't forget to take some time for "slow"...."relax"...."breathe"....! Here's sending up some extra prayers for you during these fun, but very involved committments! Xo, Sue
Hi Sheila, I bet you are going a bit crazy right with the tour almost here. I am so sad to miss it. I hope you had a joyful Thanksgiving. We sure did. I posted about it the past two days. Family fun and great foo. The second post will be up tomorrow.
We leave in the morning for FL and the wedding shower. I am so glad two of my sisters are going with me.
I hope you and hubs are doing well. Blessings to you both.
Love you much,
Jeanne xoxoxo
Oh no....Mrs. Magpie - are you still roasting on that fire?!! We hope not!! Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving & all is well with everyone :)
~The Girls
sending you warmest Christmas wishes, dear Ms Magpie :)
Hey there, just checking in on you to see if you are okay. I know you mentioned you were not feeling well and your with the Christmas Tour Of Homes.
Hope all is going well and you have some time to yourself just to breathe and rest some.
Hope your holiday is a blessed one and not too hectic.
Just thinking of you and keeping you in my prayers.
Dear Sheila, I just wanted to stop by to wish you, Mr. Magpie, and your entire family a very joyful Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year ♥ I have enjoyed blogging with you and think you are a very special lady.
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