Travel with me....

Bright and early and a fun-filled day ahead of us...so do you want to travel with me this week? I know you do...and I know you will...

You can have a little mini vacation on me...although yours will be with your thoughts and dreams...we would love for you to join us...

Come on...I'm ready if you are...

Departure time from the airport...smooth sailing...that is until I got my coffee....so thankful Starbucks was right by our gate...never knew how much I loved my coffee until...my headaches started to roll around {slight cold still getting over} and my white chocolate mocha today did quite the trick!!!

All aboard the plane...and going strong...the girls honestly couldn't be doing better on the plane ride...as long as we have Dora...well we are good to go... these small little figures that Madison played with were so nice during take off...

...And of course my little hubby was so excited about the little snack pack... Bobby's favorite...the spreadable cheese with the salami and crackers:) ...he hit the jackpot:)

Customs took a bit as we arrived....arrgghhh...because we had some hungry people but at least I didn't get searched...I usually get picked for those random searches almost everytime...and not today...maybe because we had the kiddos this time...YES!!! But they were kind enough to let us cut in line with our family so we didn't have to wait as long in one of the lines.

Our drive to the resort...well we had our own little van with 2 other consultants...how lovely were they...and the girls were still in great spirits....

For those that don't know me quite well...well here's the "famous"...I guess "famous" {everyone says} 'Martha look' that my oldest daughter now has down pat...and Bobby was excited to catch it on camera...he was taking too many pics of me...so the 'Martha look' made an appearance:)

So of course we were gifted with lovely gift upon our resort check-in with our company...logo towels, pool bag, sunglasses, sunscreen, lip savor...YEP...how nice...

Upon a long day of travel just because of the customs...we have some minutes to spare while the girls rest a bit...we have a bit of a rain storm on hand today...no big deal...how lovely and helpful everyone has been here though...from other consultants to the staff that drove us up to our door...

The little bit of rain was beautiful...didn't last long...thankfully because "our stomachs were telling us they were hungry" according to Madison:)!

As we were walking down the hall...I saw this metal box on a bike...just loved the box...and it would just be perfect with the number 13 on it instead of the number 2:)

Some little girl still had energy...and her ears were finally "able to listen" after the airplane ride she said...by the way my favorite thing she said as we were landing in Cancun..."my ears won't listen":)

Come with me into our room....just for a little look see with me...it's raining for a bit anyway...so we have to take a bit of a break...

You can tell my hottie husband is already excited about the hot tub in our room....

Starving and all...fresh fruit and wine were waiting for us in our room...of course...we poured a glass and the kiddos devoured the fruit....Bobby's favorite spot in our room...relaxing in the hammock out on our porch...

Just a bit more for the day...join us for a little walk before dinner...along the beach...are you ready to come with us?

Hayley's just checking on you...{to make sure you are still with us...}

Thanks for joining...and until tomorrow...Adios mi amigas! Buenos Nochos!

...And this will be one of our spots tomorrow...Blessings to you!

Dear my beloved...

I had no knowledge it were to be true...

It didn't even cross my mind to look for you...

Until dawn arrived I was as happy as can be...

That is...until you were no longer with me...

Honestly and truly written by yours truly ~ Martha {applause}....just kidding everyone...no applause...please don't get the wrong idea about that...but I haven't written anything in such awhile that literally just came out like that...{silly I make myself laugh}

This morning couldn't be better...that is until I stepped out of the shower and touched my neckline...and found my sweet beloved not in its place...

My Beloved...my past, present, and future necklace...

Given to me by my wonderful hubby on our anniversary...I love this gift...it has meaning...it was given in love...

...It makes my heart go a little pitter patter... {sorry my pics aren't the clearest of all...couldn't seem to figure that out today}

A smile it always gives me...

It is a necklace to me that I have never taken off except occassionally to wear a different one...and I have been excellent about it always staying in my room...even my hubby noticed I have been great about it... {a little background...sometimes I misplace things which is why my wonderful hubby got me a jewerly box}

...but he knows I never take it off...and oh this morning...it was gone...and not in my favorite spot...around my neck...

it is something I always touch when I am out of the shower...a little habit...routine {I am good at routine}...and when I went to touch it this morning...nope...not there...my beloved was gone...

I am 100% sure it fell off because I never took it off...I just didn't know where it fell off...yesterday I had a meeting in the morning and was at home for the remainder of the day...so I knew it could only be in our home...it was just a matter of where...and I knew that whenever it fell off...that one of my beloved kiddos had to have picked it up...and I won't name any names {a-hem...my youngest} loves to play with it when it is around my neck...

A quick little scurry around the house...and no time to find it before an engagement this morning. In between a few things this morning...I stopped at home as I had to get something for a friend anyway...and looked into my little girl's rooms...and YEP...found it in the youngest...the pendant at least...the necklace is missing in action...but at least I had the important part...don't get me wrong...it's not like I can throw around money and just replace everything...but I would rather have found the pendant than not my beloved at all...I have faith I will find that necklace chain today...after all it can't be far...

See Hayley has found a new love for necklaces... I remember Madison going through this stage at about this age when my other "beloved"...my wedding ring...miraculously vanished...hmmm....thankful and happy my beloved {necklace} is now in safe keeping...I can rest assured I will give my hubby a big fat hug and "smooch-a-rue" when he arrives home tonight...just to remind him how much it means to me...my beloved necklace...

Happy Friday you all...I'm starting to feel the excitement...the wait is almost over...it is almost here...I plan to do some posts there...so enjoy your day...

...Oh and this picture of my oldest beloved...taken yesterday...but the picture is how I feel at the moment since my beloved has been found...so happy and giddy... Oh and I must say again...my dear beloved...I am so thankful I found you! Have a wonderful weekend...Blessings to you!

And the outcome...

The time has finally come to share about the end tables I did...maybe I should say it as "table"...just singular...I was hoping to get to the second one done this week...but didn't happen...not even close...

Now this was...my 1st little refinish project...all on my own...from start to finish...

Well it kind of made hubby get all bent out of shape a little bit...just a little bit I promise...only because I was using his tools...and in HIS garage...it was different for him...I think he was waiting for me to ask for help...but no surrey...didn't one time except the initial "how to use the electric sander" on the table top...obviously most had to be hand sanded...the legs especially...

...In the end...he did say that was proud of me...hmmm...he waited until I was completely done though {he was supportive and loved my idea...I just don't he think ever imagined me in "his space"...I think once I told him about how I wanted to refinish the tables...he imagined HE would be doing it...}

NOPE honey...this was "MINE" {as my Hayley would say:)}..."MINE"..."MINE"..."MINE"...I was up for the challenge...but my hubby...oh...a funny little guy let me tell you:)...

The Before...

And the tools I "borrowed" from hubby...well I just realized in this picture that was "my tool"...I purchased...not quite yet using his electric one to make the top go quicker...my hubby said he wanted a picture of me working on it...personally I think he was checking up on me...because he took pictures...then cleaned out my car for me...then vaccuumed my car...you get the picture...And do you want to see the results...don't get your hopes up too big in case you expected more from me....although I love how it turned out...really brightens up our room now...loving how just even this color has already changed our room...

Now my task is finding some lamps for these tables...hmm...haven't quite found them yet but only have looked a couple of places weeks ago...perhaps when we are back from the beach I will have more time...BUT our lighting really is horrible in our living area...so I do need to be a little more proactive in finding something...my trouble is...I kind of have a picture of what I would like...well until I find it...just "anything" isn't going to work...all in due time I tell myself...

Yippee my first refinish project!!! Hope you enjoyed...I really am anxious to get done with the other table and get to that dresser in my bedroom...can't wait!

Blessings to you...

French Market shopping...and eating

French Market there we went! But before I go there...Friday evening Bobby and I went to dinner...we saw this photo on the wall...it just got our thoughts going...we sat there for a bit...talking about what couple would be us in that photo...and who was who for the other people in the picture with us....just kind of fun coming up with stories for what we thought they could be doing/celebrating...ever do that sort of thing?...

Although we did have plenty of time waiting for drink refills...{to me...I think that is why Bobby wasn't too fond of that brewery's "beer" since ordering his normal was out of the question there...me...I'm good with any glass of vino...conversation...my hubby...and well our meals were delish too...that is one scenario everytime I can say I have more patience than hubby...don't tell him I told you that though...he'll never admit it:)}...oh now...I'm getting all sappy for a second since it STILL matters to him that when we are out to dinner that he wants good service for me...(sigh)

Back to the picture now...

I'm a people-watcher...and if you haven't guessed from the post from my husband spying on the neighbors...he is more so than me:) I'm tempted to post that picture again...but I better quit while I'm ahead...it still makes me laugh...oh why not...I could use a little laugh for myself

So any guesses which couple we thought would be us...?

Sunday morning...the French market it was...and it was "french-tabu-lous" {just had to do a corny little saying there}...surprise Denisa was there making her famous crepes...definitely glad she told us she would be there...of course we had another...blueberry/cherry for me this time and Bobby got the Buckwheat {ham and cheese}...yum...but now we got ourselves into some trouble here...all I did was eat wonderful food this weekend it seems like...and I'm supposed to be at the beach the next week...geez...I tell you...I definitely eat better when hubby travels...

I seriously could eat every crepe filling listed on there...

While we just happened to be around all this fresh fruit, vegetables, bread, cheese...I decided to do some grocery shopping for the week...my parents said Hayley wasn't feeling tops and the last thing I like to do coming into town is grocery shop with a sick kiddo first thing in the morning...so I stocked up on wonderful fruit and vegetables for the week while I was there...

However last night...it was Dora chicken noodle soup for Miss Hayley...of course she wouldn't eat it or even touch it until I told her that "map" was in there...Madison ate right away...so we had some fresh garlic bread...fairy trees {aka broccoli}...because you know if we call it broccoli it won't get eaten...because Tinker Bell eats those you know...cauliflower...well those are the white fairy trees that Tinkerbell loved before she got her calling from "whomever" she was...maybe the "mother fairy" {Bobby would know...he actually sits and watches the movies with the kiddos}...OH and yummy apples paired with "Fiore de Sardegna" cheese {in the picture but looks like part of the plate}...Madison just devoured it {and so did I}...speaking of which...last nights dinner may look all too familiar for this evening too...HA!
Fresh markets are the best!...but now I feel obligated to cook this week...darn...:)...I never get the urge to cook when hubby travels for some reason...

Blessings from me to you!

A little bit vintage...

Actually "a lot" vintage...I should say...right? We'll start with Saturday...

Over the weekend I headed up to Chicago with my hubby to meet my first blog friend at her vintage home event....oohhhh I was so excited...and jumping for joy when we first arrived...of which of course Bobby just laughs at me...smiles...and shakes his head...but I secretly think he loves to do some shopping too...he is actually pretty good at it...he would probably say he just wanted to make sure I didn't do too much damage...but shhh...don't tell that he picked out some items too:)

Kasey's home event was everything I expected AND more...seriously...she is a very talented and just a terrific person! How exciting to meet her...Bobby and I made a date weekend out of it...the kiddos at my parents...then Sunday before we headed home we met with some friends who live in the area...I did work engagement while I was there too...can't beat the weekend!!!

Meet the lovely Kasey...{if you haven't already checked out her blog from me mentioning it before...definitely do...just as we talked...it is truly real life with inspiration and humor...although I know so much about her just from what she shares...I need to let others "in" too}

I should have taken more pictures of Kasey's event but click here to see her pictures she took...and here to some pictures that she gave us a preview of prior to the event...

I met some of Kasey's wonderful friends who happen to be neighbors...they are all so sweet and adorable just like her...some great friends...one of which also has an online shop and blog too, Tracey...she took some wonderful pictures too of Kasey's event...

I did some looking...then started to pull all the items...and a few more items...I was so excited...and I have a great hubby that let me have some fun with it...he is very grateful to you Kasey for your generosity...he says Thank you! Seriously though...I had so many great finds and we purchased two Christmas presents while we were at it too...{two items I won't show...just because well then they would know...I'm not leaking this surprise...no surrey}!

I wish I could just pack up her take her home...have her "Kaseyize" my home...stay a bit...and just maybe she can go back home to her lovely family and friends...:) Kasey allowed us to tour her home too...oh my goodness...you could spend forever looking around at her beautiful home and the way she has done things...she has had several posts sharing her home...I would check them out if you can...very lovely and beautiful!

So here we go...do you want to see them all unwrapped?....

Madison and Hayley just adore my bird cage purchase...they LOVE it...one of my favorite parts is the butterfly and bird cut outs that reside in the bottom now...love, love, love!

Just loving my new items...perfect items for my living room...LOVE the colors of the mason jars...I'm in love...and the paint brushes...just perfect! {if you cannot already tell...I have done some pictures of the lovely items...where they are located isn't necessarily where they will stay}

And do you see that lovely cuff?.....I almost picked out three of them...to wear at once...no not really...but I could live it in everyday...beyond cute! Many of Kasey's items can be found here....

Don't you just love this next one...while I was waiting on my computer last night...seriously I think someone is on my network...beside the point and a tangeant I won't go too...but it will eventually reside in our bedroom...and I just found something that would be perfect to hang from it! Oh yes, I did...

These next items...love the paper rolls...the dream notebook {picked up an extra for my mom}...and the stack of vintage bank records...so lovely and perfect...the vintage key...another one of Bobby's favorites....

Paper rolls...vintage stack of bank records...in my beloved mango tree bowl...{now you see I haven't decided where they should reside quite yet...}

After some wonderful shopping Kasey had Denisa set up to make her fabulous French crepes...so we ate some after some shopping...oh so yummy...thank you Denisa and her daughter too, Missy ~ they were scrumptous ~ and thank you Kasey for having her... I seriously could have eaten 3 of them...not even kidding...I ordered the nutella with bananas...Bobby had the blueberry/cherry...both were lovely and delicious...we had a wonderful conversation with Denisa...so very sweet...witty...and really a riot! She invited us to stop by where she sets up at a French market on Sunday...so we couldn't resist going the next day for more before we left...I'll save that post for another day...

Denisa took our picture together enjoying our crepes...in the famous backyard of Kasey:)

Bobby's loaded with whip cream...

Me...I'm not a whip cream kind of gal...but I did have my loaded with powdered sugar...

Before we left Kasey shared with us a lovely flea market we should stop by...it was the biggest one we had ever been too...wonderful items...a very FUN time...even though we headed under shelter a few times from rain...but sooo worth it! Here are a few items we saw...I forgot to pull out my camera on others...we didn't purchase these items below...

{BUT} we did make a well worth it $30 purchase...did you notice the black table in the pictures above...oh yes...that is now owned by us that we found in the last 30 minutes of the flea market...around a 1930's table that can be sold in pairs...but we needed just one {and there was only one}...angled corners...you want to see more detail?...well that will be another day too...I'm still deciding...we love the way it looks now...but I am considering re-finishing it because we don't have black in our home...but we love the character it has now...it fits perfectly in a spot we have been wanting a table forever now...

Blessings from us...I'll have to detail Sunday's french market soon too...thank you Kasey for your invite...you are a treasure and thanks sharing so much with us!