Sweet Itty Bitty...

Hello and happy Friday!!!

There's just something joyful about Fridays.

Around here, we wake up excited on a Friday morning. My sweetheart greets my morning face by blurting out, "it's Friday, baby"!

We know that this day of the week is the start of some serious play, rest, road trips, and eating sweet desserts!

What girl doesn't adore a pretty dessert adorned with sugary fluff?

I also love to paint desserts.

I finished another itty bitty canvas last night.

I'm working with acrylics, which I must confess...

Is difficult for me.

Watercolors are my thing!

Yet, I try.

I never limit my boundaries in art. I explore all mediums.

I enjoy every minute.

Just as I enjoyed tasting each one of these sweet treats.

Yes, when we go to a buffet, we sample as many desserts possible.

I take a few bites...

He takes a few bites.

We trade desserts back and forth.

Aren't they lovely?

(I do not allow any bites until after I have photographed each dessert)!

I must go pack my overnight bag now.

We are going to meet my family...

And get my sweet niece settled into her new college home.

Oh my, where have the years gone?

We will laugh and dine...

And eat desserts!

Enjoy your weekend, friends!

 

Missy's Mad Tea Party... Come on In!

The invitations were delivered, one by one...

I watched from behind the bushes with excitement as ribbons were un-tied, envelopes opened, and smiles appeared on each recipients' face. Yes! They would attend!

"Attend what", you ask.

It's that most wonderful event that comes once a year!

It is a Mad Tea Party that all began by Vanessa dear! I will provide you with her link at the end of this post!

For now I must dash. We must not be late!!!!

I dig deep into my trunks for the finer treasures that I store-

My china, my fancy linens, hats, and bags.

Ah ha!

There it is!

My tea party purse!!!

How do I look? Aren't the feathers just grand?

Off to another trunk I go. It's the trunk that holds my tea sets...

And a bit of magic too. Shhhhhh.

I reach for each piece and dust them off clean.

After draping the table with a crisp table cloth, I begin setting each place for each special guest.

Oh my, oh my...

I look at the clock.

I have run out of time and desperately need help!

Hmmmm.

It never fails me, when I'm in a pinch.

My magical wand...

Just watch this!

I wave it around and say a few words.

Wa la!

We now have a true tea party with fluffy, pink cakes...

And cups filled with hot tea, ready for sipping!

Have you tried this one?

It's a dreamy delight!

I have saved the very best tea for you!

Filled with blessings and love...

And may all of your dreams come true!

Hurry, hurry!

Drink it up!

I want to thank you for dropping by!

I love how the blogging community comes together for fun and creativity!

A big, big thank you to the charming Vanessa, who hosts this event each year...

This being the 6th!!!!

You can visit Vanessa right here.

Be sure and view the right side of her web page for a list of all Mad Tea Party participants.

Grab a cup of tea...

Or two,

Click on each participant's link to "blog hop" from one fabulous tea party to the next!

I plan to sit down and visit each one...

But for now I must go.

There's a knock at the door and my guests have arrived!

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!

 

 

Where Is Spring?

As my Spring break comes to an end, I realize that I have not done much in the way of art, and I'm okay with that. I have all Summer long to paint and play! It's been a wonderful, relaxing break. Much needed.

I spent one morning decorating our home for Easter!

Oh, how I adore these soft, Spring colors...

Bunnies, eggs, and magical mini scenes!

I remember making this tiny shadow box, one evening, with two of my girly friends in Dodge City! Oh, how we laughed and had such a great time! I do miss those friends, indeed!

Just after I danced around the house, joyfully putting the Easter decorations out ...

My sweetheart came home sick, with a cold.

I spent much time cooking.... Making soups and stews, in hopes to get him well.

Yesterday I treated him to a lovely day date!

Although we are not gamblers...

Once in a great while we like to eat at the nearby casino. He played a game... And I was so happy to see sick boy smile again!

Coffee and hot cocoa for starters.

But the desserts are one of our favorite things about the casino buffet! We sample nearly all!!!!

After our outing we were back in our cozy nest. Napping. I love naps!

No regrets over a lazy Spring break. Especially now that I am sick with that dreadful cold! We are sick together....

It's been kinda fun! We take care of one another!

This crazy "Spring" weather.

Today we have SNOW!

It's so pretty...

But where is Spring?

Blessings to all!

 

Oh, This Crazy Weather!

I have been home since Thursday, and must admit,... I am ready to return back to work tomorrow! (Hopefully). They say that another big snow storm is heading our way tomorrow afternoon. Oh my. Although it is very beautiful, and a perfect setting for picture-taking... I'm now getting "cabin fever".

Do you see the tire tracks in the yard? My fella has a Polaris RZR. The cold does not stop him from going outside to play! I had to get out before he did and also snap some "clean" pics before he ripped up the lovely snow blanket! Oh, just look at those sparkles!!!

It reminds me of sugar!

So soft and fluffy!

We have done a lot of snacking during this blizzard! Yesterday we did get out to do some BIG grocery shopping in the city. I bought some special cheese. It's so yummy!

It's very much like Feta cheese.... With cranberries. I love trying new foods, don't you?

I hope that I can fit into my jeans tomorrow! Giggle, giggle. I don't get much exercise during the Winter months. It's frustrating, but I just allow myself to eat through the cold season! (Pamper myself)!

I've watched lots of television these past few days. That's been fun... Since I rarely watch tv.

Paul and I both watch those true crime shows... And get spooked! Last night we had a full moon in the night sky. It was a bit eery...

But did make for a nice picture.

It's been so serene here, out in the country. I will ease into the noisy work mode tomorrow!

I could very well be back home...

Inside for a few more days soon.

Oh, this crazy weather!

Until next time...

 

A Birthday Week!

I've had five glorious days off from work! Leading up to this break, I entertained thoughts of painting and blogging daily... It would be perfect, right? No watching a clock... Allowing my creativity to flow, flow, flow!

Once I finished work on Tuesday and got settled in at home... New, more appealing thoughts entered my mind. I wanted to put on my best loungewear, rest, read, sip coffee, and hang out with my very best pal, Paul! Oh, I have painted and journaled throughout the five days, but for the most part, I hung out with him! After all, it was Birthday week!

We dined out a few times, we shopped some lovely malls, we watched a movie, we slept in, we have sipped much coffee...

And we've enjoyed eating cake!

My fella turned 46 on Friday! Oh, we have such wonderful parties... Just the two of us!

I will paint another day. Some things are just more important! I've yet to complete this painting.

Until next time!