Rambling...and a Recipe!

Hello, friends!

How is your day? Your week?

Mine, pleasantly well. I have spent most of today, doing nothing, but sitting on the patio and enjoying the Summer breeze. You see, ever since we returned home from our honeymoon, I have felt the need to work around the house, keep up the laundry, cook, go through photos and decide which ones to send off for developing. Cleaning, dusting. Today I asked myself, "when will you ever get around to creativity and doing other fulfilling things.... That you so longed to do over Summer break"?

Is it because I am a new wife,that I suddenly feel as though I must constantly be doing "wifely" things?

Why do we put such expectations on ourselves? I certainly don't feel pressure from my new husband.

My mind is full again...

Things that I should do, things that I desire to do, and of course...

I so enjoyed being here-

On the beach. Possibly I'm still coming down from all of the bliss!

I can't seem to find my creative path at this time, and it's oh, so frustrating!

 

Yesterday I ordered 8"x10" prints of some of the pretty boats and beaches that we saw while on our honeymoon. I'm going to frame them and hang in our home. I loved this abandoned boat... And couldn't help wondering just why it was left here, all alone to rust. The color is my favorite! Blues. So tranquil.

My sweetheart has had a busy work week. Possibly, I feel some guilt for being at home...

Still on vacation.

I'm sure that he too, thinks about all of the wonderful places that we visited.

I reminded him that tomorrow is Friday!

And then...

It occurred to me that Saturday is the Mad Hatter tea party! Oh my!

I grabbed my tea party recipe book and began flipping through the pages for some yummy ideas!

 

Have you seen this book?

"The Afternoon Tea Collection"?

It's quite lovely. A nice size too! I do not like large recipe books!

Maybe you would like to try a recipe from the book?

This one sounds good!

"Coffee Almond Biscuits"

Store in an airtight container for up to a week.

1 tablespoon instant coffee granules

3 teaspoons hot water

3 cups (360g) ground almonds

1 cup (220g) caster (superfine) sugar

2 tablespoons coffee-flavored liqueur

3 egg whites, beaten lightly

24 coffee beans

Preheat oven to 180 degrees C/ 350 degrees F.

1. Grease oven trays, line with baking paper.

2. Dissolve coffee in the hot water in a large bowl. Stir in ground almonds, sugar, liqueur and egg whites until mixture forms a paste.

3. Roll level tablespoons of mixture into balls; place on trays 1 1/4 inches apart; flatten with hand. Press coffee beans into tops of biscuits.

4. Bake biscuits for about 15 minutes.

Cool on trays.

Prep plus cook time- 30 minutes

Makes 24

I love all things coffee so I will be trying this recipe soon! Please, let me know if you try it before I, and how it was!

Enjoy your day!

 

 

Seaside Dreamin'...

Hello, out there!

Are you loving Your Summer?

I certainly am, but I must confess...

I don't feel like it's Summer yet. Because I am a school employee,and have been for years now, I am used to having Summers off. With this little Summer school job, I am still answering to an alarm clock way early in the morning and when I arrive back home, I'm tired. (Getting older)! It's a challenge to spark creativity, but I push myself. I also should be enjoying these few weeks before our wedding, and focusing on wedding & honeymoon details...

But I'm burned out and exhausted.

I am so looking forward to our special day and spending time with family....

And I can't wait to walk barefoot on hot sand and relax to the sound of splashing waves, with my sweetheart!

I wish the time would arrive already (and Summer school would be completed), so that I could truly be on Summer vacation!!! I have so much to look forward to! I'm so blessed...

But just like my students, I want it all NOW! (She sticks out her bottom lip and pouts).

Ok.

The hissy fit is over! (Or shall I call it, "the Missy fit")? It has a nice ring to it, ey?

Journal, journal, journal!

My personal sounding board and dear friend.

 

I will dream that the day has come and that Paul and I are gathering beautiful seashells along the shoreline!

 

Oh, I would just flip if I found a sand dollar or a really unique shell for our collection!

For this journal page I started out with the Gelato sticks (background), wet. I really should have added more layers for a more vibrant color, but I wanted to sketch and paint the seashells NOW! I am really on my last nerve! Lol.

 

I painted most of the shells with Twinkling H2o's. The photos do not show the shimmer. These watercolors are so much fun and perfect for those paintings that need some sparkle, such as shells! Just look at all of the choices for pearalized effect? Lovely.

I adore all things ocean/ beachy.

 

This is our garden tub in the master bathroom. I told you about the shells that my dad picked up...

I kept them.

Put some in this vase, with a lucky bamboo plant!

These plants are great. Just keep water in the vase. That's it. About once a month I freshen up the water!

 

I like to look at pretty things while soaking in a bubble bath! It's also nice to think of my dad, walking in the sand, picking up each and every one of these shells.

 

Yes, I do love the ocean. The sandy beaches.

 

And HIM!

Until next time,

XO