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!

 

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

 

Dear to My Heart...

Even with Fridays off from work...

The weekends are just too short!

We play hard around here. We also rest and gaze at our blooms in our gardens. Pick not only pretty flowers to put into vases, but also fresh herbs and vegetables for delightful dishes!

There's almost always time for painting on the weekends.

Painting and dreaming...

Wondering

STILL

If mermaids are real.

 

I also went down to the basement this morning.

Now that I have found home, I will be going through all of my boxed belongings. Weeding out some things, finding a place for other things. It's kinda like Christmas! I open each box, not really knowing just what treasures (or trash) will be found!

For sure...

When I peeked inside of this box and saw a glimpse of these jewels...

I knew that I had found true treasures!!!

 

I have oodles and oodles of them.

These seashells were gathered with my daddy's own hands, on the beaches in Maryland when I was living there. My entire family came to visit their homesick girl.

Instead of trying to get the shells back to Kansas via plane, my dad left them for me. I'm a sentimental keeper of all things that document life and loved ones, family.

I now have places for all of these very special shells.

Some are in a vase in our master bathroom, on the ledge of the garden tub.

Some are now in our rock gardens. I have more ideas and uses for the shells!

 

I hold these things close to my heart.

Forever.

 

My sweetheart took over the kitchen today!

He made fresh salsa, using our garden veggies. Oh my. So good!

Later on, after lazy day naps...

He grilled some chicken, made potato salad. He cut our broccoli so that I could put itin the steamer.

It was a perfect Summertime meal!

Do you have one of those steamers?

I love ours!

I have also steamed fish and vegetables, all at the same time! A healthy meal in minutes.

 

And that's been my day.

A glorious day!