On A Typical Saturday...

On a typical Saturday, I usually wake before my husband.

I sit by a small lamp, in the living room, and work in my art journal as I sip my java.

You see, I really don't do much art on the weekends because we use Saturday to get out and explore, work around the house and the yard, run errands. Sunday, we stick close to home and rest or prepare for the work week.

So, this morning I completed yesterday's art journal entry.

A few hours into the morning we were out the door!

Into the city...

 

Our first stop- City Market. We buy some pastries, a few onions and whole garlic for homemade salsa. It was so crowded at the market today... I really could not capture any great pics to share with you. Elbow to elbow with people who frown on someone who stops to take pictures! I don't enjoy a crowded day at City Market nearly as much as a slow day!

After a walk through, blocks and blocks of produce, yard ornaments, flowers, women's clothing, purses, wind chimes, artists playing guitars or sketching...

The smell of barbecue and Tai food...

We were hungry!

We agreed to indulge in one of our guilty pleasures...

Buffet.

Our favorite buffets are casino buffets. I think that we also enjoy the beauty, the lights, and the uniqueness of each casino that we visit.

This one really was fabulous!

This is the inside of the casino. The entire ceiling is painted blue with fluffy, realistic clouds. Amazing!

It was as if we had entered into a little village. Each restaurant and shop had the appearance of a storefront, house, or building.

It really was a great place to shoot some interesting pics!

Oh, and the buffet was out of this world good!

Yes, we are buffet busters!

On a typical Saturday...

After a huge buffet...

We return home to nap.

Happy weekend, friends!

XO

 

Simple, Summer pleasures...

Good Monday morning, beautiful people!

I had such a wonderful time attending the many delightful tea parties over the weekend!

I'm doing my best to thank each one of you that dropped by my tea party, and to also post a comment of thanks to each one of you who welcomed me into your world for a cup...

But I'm afraid that I have missed some of you.

My apologies.

Please know that I visited every single tea party and am most appreciative of your hospitality!

Wasn't it just a blast?

Once again, thank you Vanessa!!!!

You are so gracious and full of talent and charm!!!!

XO

After two days of tea, I am settling back into my art and creative life here.

I picked up my neglected art journal last night and began catching up on the big events that have taken place through June and July! (A work still in progress)!

 

Our wedding, of course!

And honeymoon too!

I reflect on each special moment daily!

I'm such a lucky girl!

(Photo by Leilani Thornton Tuttle)

This Summer is going by way too quickly.

I love, love, love Summer, don't you?

My new husband and I spend much time on our patio!

 

Do you see the little boogie board?

We purchased it while on our honeymoon. A keepsake from Biloxi, Mississippi!

At night, we are all about lights.

Tree lights, solar lights, and candles galore!

It's the simple pleasures that make us most happy!

Ya know, laying in the hammock, tending to the gardens, watching the dogs romp, grilling delicious foods. We even have a tv on our patio for night time viewing... True crime mysteries! Oh, so thrilling!

Life is good.

Blessings to you all!

 

The Honeymoon...

Hello out there!

Why is it that a vacation (which is meant to be for rest and relaxation),... Leaves us exhausted?

I'm so glad that I have this time off from work to regroup and settle into married life!

I have been going through all of our photos and reflecting on these wonderful moments.

I do have some honeymoon pics to share!

Just a handful. For today anyway!

We started off with a visit to Monroe, Louisiana...

Just to stop by here-

Although we did not get to meet any from the "Duck Dynasty" tv show, we did, however, go inside the warehouse for some shopping and picture taking!

We spent only one night in Louisiana to rest. You see, we prefer to drive when we travel. Paul and I do not do well with itineraries, rules, schedules, or being with others. We are both true free spirits who prefer to go wherever we desire, whenever we desire... And even change our minds at the last moment! We also enjoy stumbling upon "accidental" places and exploring. In fact, that is how we discovered Biloxi, Mississippi last Summer, and did decide to make Biloxi our honeymoon destination!

Of course, we have to stop and see things! We spent about 45 minutes here, watching for gators! At last...

We did see a baby alligator! Only his head and eyes, peeking up from beneath the water.

Once in Biloxi, Mississippi, we continued to explore, shop, walk, but we were also very content just being in our hotel/ resort, located on the gulf shore.

We absolutely love Beau Rivage hotel!!!!

We stayed in this exact hotel last Summer, so naturally, we knew that we wanted Beau Rivage to be "our special place"!

We stayed on the 23rd floor this time, with a waterfront view. Oh, so beautiful here! Not only were we minutes from the beach, we also had a spa, salon, gym, pool, shops, restaurants, a coffee house, casino, ice cream/ gelato parlor, and a theatre, all under our roof! No reason to really leave Beau Rivage...

But we did get out and sight see! One day we took a ferry to an island for a few hours. Paul also learned all about shrimping! (By the way, we ate seafood nearly daily while there).

We walked around downtown Biloxi. So many cute shops!

And art!

I could go on and on about Biloxi, Mississippi ...

But I have so much more that I'd like to share! Maybe later. We went on to Memphis, Tennessee after leaving Biloxi. Ate lunch on Beale street and did some shopping.

On our final travel day, we stopped in Arkansas and went antiquing!

Hmmmmm. We just happen to buy a tea set!

I'm so looking forward to The Mad Hatter Tea Party, aren't you?!!!!

Carmen! I do hope that you read this. Thank you for your sweet comment! I have tried and tried to respond...

With no luck. I use my iPad to blog. I never can seem to respond to comments, but I do soooooooo very much, read them and appreciate each and every one!!!!!!

I'm not only settling into married life, but also creating a new atmosphere around the house, and soon diving into art, art, art!!!!!!

You shall see!

XO