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!

 

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!

 

 

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