Ann-Margaret's Visions

trish duncan - May 29, 2013 - 10:40 am

Tucker what a sweet pup to share so much beauty with us all and to make us stop and smile… thank you furry little friend

shelby mills - May 29, 2013 - 5:03 pm

Tucker – you are just so adorable!! I would be squeezing on you as well.
Looking forward to receiving your mum/mom’s beautiful artwork Free Spirit that I was lucky enough to purchase. xx

Strolling Through Seaside ~ A Sweet Little Beach Town

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Ah, quaint beach spots always make me smile! The cute town of Seaside is close to our home, and we love going there to stroll along the beach, check out some of the shops, or do a little taste testing at some of the yummy cafes and airstreams.

And, of course, I love taking photos of all the beautiful and colorful cottages that create streets filled with personality! From bright colored cottages to adorable decor, you’ll see all sorts of fun things as you stroll along this little neighborhood.

Look at this cute birdie!! Love this!!

I love the fun accents that can be seen on the picket fences, doorways, and porches. Oh, the porches…yes, they are so dreamy and inviting! Bold splashes of color adorn oversized Adirondack swings, and pretty flowers smile from their cute-as-can-be pots.

It’s a place where you kind of lose track of time, find yourself relaxing, and realize that a little beachy eye candy is good for the soul!

Hmm…maybe I can talk my sweet hubby into painting our door PINK! :) You know I’m lovin’ this cute doorway!

Do you have a fun spot you enjoy strolling about? I would love to know!

Copyright 2013 Ann-Margaret, Artist~Designer~Photographer/Ann-Margaret’s Visions
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8 comments

trish duncan - May 15, 2013 - 3:56 pm

Oh what a pretty little area… just darling… thank for the walk around

Anne - May 15, 2013 - 4:41 pm

Wow what a beautiful area! Yes the colors are amazing so bright and cheerful! Living in the midwest this is my favorite time of the year!One of our favorite places to take a walk is Lake Geneva Wisconsin along the lake is a walking path.You get an amazing view of the lake and the beautiful lakeside mansions <3
xx
Anne

claire - May 17, 2013 - 11:59 am

oh my goodness this is such a cute area! All streets should be like this!!

darci haney - May 18, 2013 - 6:08 am

Oh my….how darling!! I wish I lived there

amteatime - May 20, 2013 - 10:43 pm

Hi Darcy! It is such a darling little spot! You would love it! Thanks so much for stopping by…hope your summer is getting off to a fun start!

amteatime - May 20, 2013 - 10:58 pm

Yes, Claire, I agree! There are so many cute houses with such adorable porches and unique details. I just love strolling through there! Oh, how I wish you could pop over for a visit so I could show you around!

amteatime - May 20, 2013 - 11:01 pm

Oh, Anne, I have heard (and, seen pics) how beautiful Lake Geneva is…it definitely sounds like a place I would love to visit! There are some amazing beach “mansions” in this area, too, and I always love looking at them when walking on the beach. Hugs!

amteatime - May 20, 2013 - 11:03 pm

Trish, I’m so happy you enjoyed our walk! You would just love this little spot…it is so adorable…I see something new each time we go there!

Tuesdays with Tucker™ {The Westie} ~ Favorite Smoothie Recipes and A Cute Bunny in Mom’s Studio

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Hi Sweet Friends!! I am so happy to be back to blogging! Wow!! I missed you guys! I was under the weather the other week, and it just zapped my energy. I had to go to the vet to get some IV fluids, and my sweet mommy and poppy learned how to give me sub q fluids at home. I think it was a proud parent moment for them! They were helping each other, checking to make sure they remembered how to do it all just right, and were loving on me the whole time! Oh, I think they are kinda over the moon for me…the feeling is mutual! Mom’s tripod made a great IV pole!

I thought it might be fun to share some of our favorite smoothie combos with you today. Well, ok…mommy and poppy enjoy these…I have a special diet, thank you! My mom loves tossing in different fruits and veggies to come up with new smoothie treats. She is so sweet to take lots of breaks while in the studio to do a little “Westie Lovin’”! But, I mean ~ really…who could resist!!

I think her fave is the Peanut Butter Smoothie…her friend Juliette Crane got her hooked on this one! My mom likes to change things up a bit with it, too. I am not going to give specific measurements for these smoothies because they are just made according to how you want them to taste…you can add in more or less of any of the ingredients and splash it up the way it pleases you most! Don’t be afraid to try different ingredients…get creative! You may just find a new fave! So, back to the Peanut Butter Smoothie…blend Almond milk (we like vanilla), a frozen banana, and a little bit of natural peanut butter…it really only takes about a teaspoon of peanut butter to make a smoothie for one. My mom has a new way of making it though…use chocolate almond milk and one Nature’s Own Peanut Butter Granola Bar. The Vitamix blends this right up, and the granola bar can be used in place of the peanut butter if you would like to shave off some of the fat. *No, this is not the peanut butter smoothie below…it’s gone before I can get a pic of it!

Here’s another yummy one for you ~ Cherry Jubilee: Frozen cherries, almond milk, Activia vanilla or peach fiber yogurt (one of the small containers if making for one person).

And, they LOVE this one ~ Hawaii Dreamin’: spinach, frozen pineapple chunks, almond milk, and a couple teaspoons (or, just one!) of Chobani Greek yogurt (low fat)(vanilla flavor). It is so yummy…well, that’s what mommy says!

Do you have a favorite smoothie recipe? Let us know…we would love to try it!

Oh, the bunny in the studio…I almost forgot! Here she is…isn’t she a cutie? We think she will be so cute in a girl’s room, a playroom, and even as a sweet surprise for someone that love/collects all things BUNNY/Rabbit! We’ll have her available in the shoppe as a print soon!

Hope you’re having a “hip hopping” fun day!! Now, be sure to let me know what you like in your smoothie!! :)

Hugs!

8 comments

Cindy - April 30, 2013 - 10:21 pm

Enjoyed your post today, Tucker! I am familiar with administering fluids to little Westies like this, having had to do this myself with our Bentley. It was a tough time for all. I’m sure you are in great hands with your Mommy and Poppy!

The smoothies look delicious!! We’ve been making them with our Vita Mix and even the kids will drink the green smoothies! Thanks for sharing – I’ll have to try the Hawaii Dreamin’!

What a sweet bunny painting! Reminds me of a book I read today by Jan Brett – her drawings are incredible.

Retta - May 1, 2013 - 2:05 pm

I love your post today…smoothies are so yummy! I love new recipes. I am so concerned about Tucker! What brave parents you both are. Love that sweet boy!!!!!

Get Well Tucker!!!

amteatime - May 5, 2013 - 12:20 pm

Hi “Miss” Cindy! Thanks so much for stopping by! Oh, yes, you know all about the extra TLC we sweet Westies sometimes need!! I sooo appreciate all the love and care I’m getting, and I can just imagine that sweet Bentley did, too! Let us know if you try the Hawaii Dreamin’ smoothie and how you like it! My mom is always thinking of new combinations to try…that is a fancy machine, I must say! My mom says “thank you” for the compliment about the bunny…we want to check out the lady you mentioned. Sounds like we’ll find a dose of inspiration there! Hope y’all are having a happy spring! Big hugs, sweet friend!

amteatime - May 5, 2013 - 12:28 pm

Hi “Miss” Retta! So happy you stopped by! And, thank you so much for thinking of me…I am feeling much better! We’ve been thinking of you so much, too…you’ve really been on our hearts. We love you, sweet friend!

jacqueline - May 6, 2013 - 7:52 pm

Dearest sweet Tucker, i am so happy you are feeling 100% again!! That Smoothie is so yummie looking! I bet it taste really good! I really adore that bunny in the studio. Can you please tell you mama that i really appreciate her comments on my blog…perhaps she will buy the book and make yummie ice-creams for you. Have a beautiful day and love to you!

claire - May 17, 2013 - 12:01 pm

well Tucker you are such a lucky doggie to have such a loving home, i’m so glad you are feeling a bit better! xx

amteatime - May 20, 2013 - 10:55 pm

Thank you, “Miss” Claire!! I am so happy to have a little spring in my step again! Hugs to you!! Love, Tucker

amteatime - May 20, 2013 - 11:08 pm

Oh, sweet “Miss” Jacqueline, I’m so happy you stopped by for a little visit! And, many thanks for your sweet wishes…I am so happy to be feeling better! Yes, you’ll have to try that smoothie…my mom loves them! She send you a big “thank you” for such a sweet compliment about the “bunny in the studio”! She hopes to get it added to the shoppe this week. Oh, I do just so happen to know that she saved that yummy ice cream book to her wishlist! So, maybe, just maybe, a scoop or two is in my future! LOL Much love to you, as well..and, warm, beachy hugs! Your friend, Tucker

A Calm Spirit ~ The Only Way to Truly Enjoy “Life Sailing”

Monday, April 15, 2013

Some days we may just need to realize that a calm spirit may be just what we need to truly enjoy the adventure of life! A calm spirit…what does that look like? it makes me think of the ocean in its beautiful state of serene waves, rippling ever so softly, just enough to keep us floating. The waves move with such ease that we may almost forget there is any motion, but soon enough there will be a wind to blow causing us to be reminded of the variety that may possibly exist within each moment. {*Find the “Calm Spirit” Art Print in my shoppe ~ and, it will also be available soon with the sailboat*}

And, how we respond to the changes is such an important aspect of the adventure. Notice I suggest we respond…not react. Reacting is so easy in uncharted waters…in seas that seem anything but calm, but it is the very thing which we need to avoid. Imagine reacting with fear, upset, uncertainty, and immediacy as the waves began to become more aggressive. Once we do this, we only make matters worse. Any hope for a calm spirit has been tossed overboard, and our journey has just become a bit more tedious and unnerving. Reacting only causes us to lose our ability to think clearly, to be rational, and to listen for guidance. Once we become upset and begin to react to all these emotions we have pretty much lost the fight. And, quite honestly, we’ve just made matters worse.

However, if we respond to the circumstances we are much more likely to find that we can continue to sail and eventually reach our destination. Respond with a CALM SPIRIT ~ in order to do this we are going to have to use some of our tools though. My “life vest” for uncharted waters and stormy seas includes focusing on my faith, asking God to quieten my anxieties and fears, and reminding myself that trusting in His guidance is such a necessary part of this sweet life…that is if I truly want to enjoy the gifts it holds and float along with a calm heart and spirit.

Do you have a “life vest” that helps you get through the rough days at sea? What works for you…what calms your heart?

*Pop over to Ann~Margaret’s on Facebook for your “Cuppa Positivity with Ann~Margaret” today! Every Monday I’m filling your cup with a dose of the sweet stuff to get your week off to a good start!*

6 comments